Some Christmas gift giving in mind

I designed this soap sack for use by my indianaknits list www.groups.yahoo.com/groups.indianaknits; but thought I would put it up on my blog to share with others, as well. It is quickly crocheted, takes little cotton worsted wt. yarn, and can be for male or female.

Wicker-look crocheted Soap SackMaterials needed: A small amount of sugar and Cream or Peaches and Cream......or similar worsted weight cotton yarnAmerican size F crochet hookChain 11 loosely; but not too loose.....you want to be able to move the needle in the loops easily; but not have the chain stitches too big.Row 1:Double crochet (dc) in 3rd chain across to end. You should have 10 dc; counting beginning ch 3 as a dc.Row 2: Chain 3, turn and dc back across the last row. 10 dc.Row 3: Chain (ch) 1. Single crochet (sc) in corner, at end of row, then 2 stitches (sts) into each dc across left end of piece, then 1 sc in corner. Single crochet in each dc across bottom side, going into the single loop at the bottom of each stitch; sc into corner, then 2 sts into each dc across 2nd end, sc in corner, and then across top edge, joining with slip stitch (sl st) into chain 1.Row 4: Ch 3, 1 dc in each stitch around. Join with sl st into top of ch 3. You should have32 dc, counting ch 3.Row 5: ch 4, skip (sk) next dc, dc in the next dc (don't crochet into stitch as one normally would; but make sure to go into the top of the dc itself. Continue around. Join with sl st. in 3rd chain of beginning ch 3.Rows 6-12: Repeat row 5 for next 7 rowsRemember to double crochet directly into the tops of the double crochets in the row below, sticking the needle through the stitch top, itself.
Row 13:
Ch 1, sc in each dc around. <32>
join with sl st in beginning ch 1.
Row 14:
Ch 1, sl st in same stitch, *ch 1, sk 1 sc, sc in next sc* across row. Ch 1, join with sl st in beginning ch 1.
Row 15:
Chain 4, *skip (sk) ch 1, dc in next stitch* repeat across row. Ch 1, join with sl st in first ch 1 st at beginning of row.
Row 16: Repeat Row 15.
Row 17: *chain 3, 1 dc in ch1, 1 dc in next dc* across row. Join with sl st in top of beginning chain 3. Cut thread and weave in ends.
Chain 60......finish ends, and weave through eyelets formed on row 14.
OR, alternatively, you can make I-cord and use that, instead.
Insert a bar of soap and enjoy or use to gift someone.
Designed by Pat P. October 2007.

I don't care if you choose to gift this, keep it for yourself, or share. Just keep my copyright with the printed pattern, and don't sell the pattern.

Time Lost

Well, it has been awhile since I've posted to my blog. On indianaknits, we've been knitting/crocheting washcloths and soap sacks for deploying Indiana reservists.

This past 10 days, we've been in the throes, in Parke County, of our annual Covered Bridge Festival. I didn't venture out to go anywhere.

I had a small vacation in the hospital a couple of weeks ago which wasn't much fun. Since coming home, I have been trying to recoup some strength and energy. I've also had a terrific resurgence of LE in both legs.

I cannot believe it is almost November, already. We went from mostly green foliage on the hillsides last weekend to trees beginning to glow with reds, oranges, golds and purples, nestled in among the still green leaves.

I had a Daily Knitting button I wanted to add to my blog; but being blog illiterate, I wasn't entirely sure how to do it.....especially since I could not see any of the gizmos I needed on my Blogger Dashboard. I think I finally achieved that, tonight. It will take me awhile to figure out what needs to be learned and accomplish same.