Gone To The Show

We're out of The Parlour this week but you can catch live updates from our début market at Make It! Vancouver on Google+, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram... or see for yourself at the PNE Forum ~ you'll find us in Booth 147 =)

Yoga Bag ~ Pt. 2: Finishing Off

Greetings =)
Hope you all had a great week ~ How is your yoga bag coming along? Got those hooks warmed up & ready to finish off your project? {Here's a link to Part 1 of the pattern for those who may have missed it}. We ended last week with fastening off at Rnd 36.

Top Band:
Rnd 37: Using Contrast Color B, repeat Rnd 24. Ss to top of beg-ch2. (95hdc)
Rnd 38: Ss around edge, ending with ss in last stitch beside ch-sp at beginning of rnd. Do not fasten off.
Rnd 39: Ch2 (counts as 1hdc). Work an extended hdc around edge by catching the hdc from Rnd 37 and ss from Rnd 38 into one hdc. Ss to top of beg-ch2. (96hdc)
Place a stitch marker at st #16, #32, #64 and #80 for quick reference of changes in next rnd.

Strap:
Rnd 40: Ch1. Sc in ea of next 16 st, ch1 at #16 marker, turn. 1sc in last 4 st of previous row. *Turn, Ch1, 4sc**.  Repeat from * to ** 56 times, ending with right side facing and ch-loop on left side of strap. 

Joining Strap:

Skip next 16 st. With right sides together, place hook through strap and hdc at #32 marker, yo, pull through band & strap chain loops, ch1.

                                     

 

 

 


Working to secure strap, sc in next 28 st to #64 marker, ch1, turn. Sc in last 4 st of previous row. *Turn, ch1, 4sc**.  Repeat from * to ** 56 times, ending with right side facing and ch-loop on left side of strap.

Joining Strap:
Skip next 16 st. With right sides together, place hook through strap and hdc at #80 marker, yo, pull through band & strap chain loops, ch1.

Working to secure strap, sc (12) to end of rnd. Ss to beg-ch1. Fasten off. Weave in ends.
  *This bag when created with cotton and acrylic yarn is machine washable in cool to warm with mild detergent. Hang or lay flat to dry.

Give yourself a pat on the back!! Put your hook down & your feet up with a cuppa... admire your handiwork =) Please feel free to post a photo, along with your variations or suggestions, in the comments below ~we'd love to see your hook work!!

May the yarn gods smile upon you & your projects... we'll see you next week...

...here, In The Parlour =)

*photos by SD Jackson, PixAppeal Photography & ccthompson

Yoga Bag ~ Pt.1: Building The Body

Welcome back to The Parlour for Part 1 of the Yoga Bag project. How was your week? Anxious to get started on your new bag? {Part 2: Finishing Off follows next week}

All went smoothly, including a couple of little tweaks following a test run for use. As SD pointed out to me the other night: cooking, sewing, crocheting... my creativity flows best when I'm in the zone "designing on the fly". It was lots of fun to create something other than an afghan or a shawl. I will for sure be making another one of these to use as a market bag.

Being as this is my first-ever written pattern to share, feel free to contact me with feedback or advice if something is not quite right, or if you have any questions or need clarification ~ I will be eternally grateful <3. In the future, I will be adding a chart to this pattern for those who like to work with charts as well. As for a rating, I'm giving it an ~advanced easy~ {rating patterns is another new territory for me}. If you have been crocheting for a while, i.e. have more than basic stitch knowledge, and you are able to read & understand patterns, you'll have a new yoga bag in under a day.







YOGA BAG PATTERN
©Carla Thompson


Pattern Notes: 
Beginning chains count as stitch unless otherwise stated.
Pattern is worked on right side only unless stated. 

Abbreviations:  
st      stitch                        sk         skip   
sp      space                       beg ch   beginning chain
ch      chain                        ss         slip stitch
sc      single crochet           hdc       half double crochet
dc      double crochet
v-st    v-stitch {1dc, ch1, 1 dc worked in same sp}

Yarn:  
Main Color: 175g/6oz Bernat Handicrafter Cotton {Sonoma}
*Contrast A:  20g/1oz Vanna's Choice {Espresso}
*Contrast B:  25g/1oz Red Heart Super Saver {Medium Thyme}
   *you will not use the total amount of yarn; it's hard to convert metric to imperial here =)

H8/5mm Susan Bates® Bamboo hook

Gauge: 
10cm x 10cm/4" x 4" = 14dc x 7 rows

Instructions:  

Bottom: Using Main Color, ch6. Ss to form ring.

Rnd 1: Ch4 (counts as 1dc, ch1). *1dc into ring, ch1**.  Repeat from * to ** 9 times. Ss to top of beg-ch3. Do not turn. (10dc, 10ch-sp)
Rnd 2: Ch3. *2dc in each ch-1sp**.  Repeat from * to ** 5 times. 3dc in next ch1-sp. Repeat * to ** 4 times. Ss to top of beg-ch3. (22dc)
Rnd 3: Ch3. *1dc, ch1, 1dc in next st {v-stitch completed}, 1dc in next st**.  Repeat from * to ** 9 times. V-st in next st. Ss to top of beg-ch3. (33dc)

Rnd 4: Ch3. 1dc in next st. *V-st in ch1-sp. Dc over next 3 st.**  Repeat from * to ** 9 times. 2dc in v-st. 1dc in last st. Ss to top of beg-ch3. (55dc)
Rnd 5: Ch3. 1dc over next 2 st. V-st in next st. *1dc in next 3 st, v-st in next st**.  Repeat from * to ** 11 times. Dc over last 3 st. Ss to top of beg-ch3. (68dc)
Rnd 6: Ch3. 1 dc in next 3 st. *2dc in ch1-sp of v-st, 1dc in next 5 st**.  Repeat from * to ** 12 times. Ss to top of beg-ch3. (95dc)
Rnd 7: Ch3. 1dc in each st around. Ss to top of beg-ch3. Do not fasten off. (95dc) 
   ~Bottom completed; approximately 35.5cm/14" diameter.

Body: 
Rnd 8: Ch3. 1dc in each st around. Work 1hdc in top of beg-ch3, ch1 to join rnd (1hdc, ch1 at beg of rnd counts as 1dc). Place stitch marker at beg-ch. (95dc)
Rnds 9-12: Repeat Rnd 8, moving stitch marker at end of each rnd. (95dc)
Rnd 13: Repeat Rnd 8. Ss to ch1 of hdc-ch1 at end of rnd.  
   

Rnd 14: Ch4 (counts as 1dc, ch1). Sk first st. *1dc into next st, ch1, sk next st**.  Repeat to end of rnd, ending with ch1. Ss to 3rd ch of beg-ch4. (48dc)
Rnd 15: Ss to ch1-sp in previous rnd. Ch4 (counts as 1dc, ch1). Sk next st. *1dc into next st, ch1, sk next st**. Repeat to end of rnd, ending with ch1. Ss to 3rd ch of beg-ch4. (48dc)
Rnds 16-23: Repeat *Rnd 15* 8 times. Fasten off. Mark with stitch marker.
Rnd 24: Using Contrast Color A, ss to join next to stitch marker, ch2. Working in ends to secure, hdc in each st around. Ss to top of beg-ch2. (95hdc)
Rnd 25: Ch3. Dc in each st around. Ss to top of beg-ch3. (95dc)
Rnd 26: Ch2. Hdc in each st around. Ss to top of beg-ch2. Fasten off. (95hdc)
Rnd 27: Using Main Color, repeat *Rnd 14*. (48dc)

Rnds 28-36: Repeat *Rnd 14* 9 times. Fasten off. (48dc)
   ~Body completed; approximately 40.5cm/16" tall. It will stretch considerably with the weight of your yoga mat and other contents. 

How is your new bag coming along so far? Need help with anything? Please do leave a comment below or message me at the email address on the sidebar with any questions or concerns about this crochet project, or crochet in general ~ I'll do my best to answer or find one for you. Next week, we'll be working a reinforced band around the top, working the attached straps and finishing off... until then...

May your yarns remain untangled...

...we'll see you here, In The Parlour

*photos by ccthompson

 

Yoga Bag Project Intro

Greetings ~ hope you've all had a wonderful week. The Autumn Equinox is upon us here in the Northern Hemisphere and the weather certainly is making it known that a new season is approaching. Autumn is one of my favourite seasons ~ the vibrant oranges & yellows, the deep reds & burgundys... the rustle of the fallen leaves as feet scoot through them... the crispness in the evening & first-light morning air... celebrations of a bountiful harvest & a new selection of fruits & vegetables...

September also brings the start of a new round of local community fitness classes. On my list for the next 12 weeks is Chinese Health Qi Gong {pronounced CHEE kung} and Beginner's Gentle Yoga. Both are gentle exercises, fantastic for all age groups ~ especially for those who are starting on an exercise regimen for the first time or after a lengthy absence from a routine, as well as those leading a sedentary lifestyle due to working at home, health issues and so on...

The Qi Gong requires only comfortable clothing and shoes along with commitment to practise each day. Yoga, aside from the practising the asanas and meditation, also facilitates a session of "retail therapy" {a form of meditation for some}:
   ~ Special footwear is not required as you work out in your bare feet ~ my personal preference 90% of the time anyway...
   ~ Pants & Top. Shop around for these as speciality or sporting good stores tend to be twice the price of a local clothing store. Try them on for comfort & do a mini test in the dressing room ~ stretch, reach, twist, bend. Check to see if your underwear show through the fabric when you bend over, meaning low quality fabric or you need the next size up. It's only a letter or number on a piece of fabric ~ cut it out if it bothers you. Comfort & proper fit matter first. 
   ~ A yoga mat. Not a bubble mat ~ an actual yoga mat. Research this one as the choices are several depending on which form you partake of ~ thickness, manufacturer's materials, even sizes for taller people. Again, check your local department store for affordable pricing on mats.

That brings us to the last item {unless, of course, the form of yoga you choose requires props, which will be your personal research}: 
   ~ A tote bag, or strap, to carry the mat. Many choices; personal preference on what will work for you.
This is where crochet skills are handy, resulting in a personalized mat bag, carry-all tote, or mat strap. Wow! the choices are endless! In the end, I've decided on a carry-all tote so I can add the few items I need from my purse, my mat and a bottle of water.

For me, something with a dense stitch pattern so my keys stay in. The mat is 61cm wide (24") so the tote has to be deep enough to stop the mat from toppling out. It needs to have a sturdy, long strap to be comfortable over my shoulder as I walk to class. Searching my studio stash, Bernat Handicrafter Cotton is a perfect choice ~ washable, durable and works up fast with a H8/5mm hook. 286 grams in Sonoma Print. Overall, I want a finished size of 46cm deep by 56cm round (18" x 22") with a 6.5cm wide by 51cm long (2.5" x 20") single strap that crosses over the top edge of the tote. And now on to the stitch/pattern designing...

As this is the very first pattern I am writing out to share, I will be posting it next week, complete with photos. {Cliffhanger, right?!} I've been twisting yarn since I was 12 years old; however, when it comes to actually writing the patterns... well, that's brand new territory for this ol' hooker! The written part will take a bit time for sure, but I'm always up for a new challenge =) 

Be well... join in next week, with your hook & yarn, when I'll share in detail how I created my Yoga Bag Project...

...Namaste ~ from In The Parlour =)