Saturday 3 January 2015

Crochet with twine


The Mister had some useful presents for Christmas, including a ball of jute garden twine.
It would have been perfect for tying in plants and other gardenly tasks, but I had other ideas.

Involving crochet.
Obviously.


So here's a super-easy little pattern to make a mini flower pot holder. I made two, cos I had two little plants. One of them has some lengths of twine attached so that it can hang at a window. 

(Lots of people have asked whether the twine hurt my hands to work with and the simple answer is no. I made sure that I kept my tension fairly loose and to be honest, these are such a quick project, I didn't notice any discomfort.)

You will need:
I used:
1 ball of jute garden twine
2 x mini flower pots, measuring approx 4cm across base x 5cm tall
5.5mm hook
Stitch marker

[This pattern is written in UK terms. US equivalents are given below]

UK double crochet = US single crochet

Abbreviations:
dc = double crochet
sts = stitches
BLO = back loops only

Pattern:
This pattern is worked in a continuous spiral of stitches, starting at the bottom of the potholder. Use your stitch marker to mark the first stitch of every round, or you'll get in a pickle.

6dc in magic ring, OR ch2, 2dc in 2nd ch from hook.
Rnd 1: 2dc in each st (12 sts)
Rnd 2: (dc1, 2dc in next st) repeat around (18)
Rnd 3: dc 18 in BLO
Rnd 4: dc 18
Rnd 5: (dc 2, 2dc in next st) repeat around (24)
Rnds 6-8: dc 24

Rnd 9: Reverse dc / Crab Stitch edging (24)
(You can always just do an extra round of regular dc if you like)

To make the reverse dc/crab stitch, first chain 1. You are now going to work backwards, from left to right. Insert your hook into the 3rd stitch from your hook, from front to back. (You could try inserting into the 2nd st from your hook, but I found the 3rd easier)



Yarn over and pull through a loop (it all looks a bit weird at first, but bear with..)


Yarn over and pull through all loops. Stitch made.


Now have faith, and keep going. You'll soon get the hang of it and will be making a fabulous edge for your pot holder. 


Once you get back to the beginning of the round, fasten off and weave in ends.

If you want to make a hanging potholder, then cut three lengths of twine to your liking (mine measured about 30 cm) and knot them, evenly spaced to the inside of your potholder.



Job's a goodun'.

Now raid the shed, find the twine and get yourself a hook..

(Oh, and if the Mister comes a-looking for something to tie up the peonies, I'm keeping quiet.)

Enjoy making,

Sarah xx






16 comments:

  1. I use twine all the time to hang plants . . . simple knotting a;a macrame . . . but t his would be SO MUCH SIMPLER. I always have to worry that my pots will hang low/high enough. Now, I can get the size pot holder I need and the height for hanging.

    Thanks so much for the pattern :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Paula!
      Do you know, I had been thinking about macrame when I saw the twine. I remember making hanging Owls with big, beaded eyes as a kid!
      I hope you enjoy making yours!
      Sarah x

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  2. Hello Sarah, Really loving your little jute twine pots - don't you love it when you look at something and an idea pings into your head of something you can make ? Really love your crochet Christmas decorations too but maybe a bit late for this year ! Looking forward to following your blog more in 2015, Kate .justpootling.blogspot.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Kate!
      I love a quick and easy make, so these pots are perfect!
      Have a great week, sarah x

      Delete
  3. What a great idea. They look so cute. Thanks for sharing this.

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  4. Very cute. Thanks for sharing! x

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  5. I love it what a great idea. I tried to crochet with that string and it ripped up my hands. Good for you getting it done.
    Hugs and Happy New Year.
    Meredith

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Meredith,
      Thank you very much! I worked with it very loose, so maybe that's what worked for me!
      I certainly know I wouldn't want to make anything much bigger!!
      Wishing you all a very happy new year, too!
      Sarah xx

      Delete
  6. This is brilliant. I don't know if I would dare to use my husband's twine though - he loves good twine for the garden. Will have to buy my own.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Gillian,
      I reckon you should probably get your own twine!! My Mister hasn't noticed yet, but I'd better replace it before the spring!!
      Wishing you a happy week,
      Sarah x

      Delete
  7. So cute! I just love the texture from crocheting with twine!
    Happy New Year!!
    Kate :}

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  8. Thank you for sharing this lovely tutorial. You are such a clever and generous lady. Happy New Year and I hope 2015 is filled with wonderful things for you and your family.
    Anne xx

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  9. Too cute! So nice to pop by and see what you've been up to hon. Loving the balls too!

    Leah
    xx

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  10. I love this. Its awesome to see that in Crocheting there are never ending possibilties of things to make.

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  11. Hi,Just going to have a nosy,as I have just found your very interesting blog.Happy Weekend

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I'd love to hear from you, so leave a comment or ask a question and l'll reply to you right here.
Have a fab day.
Sarah Xx