The Big Project Bag Swap, Australia.

Do you use project bags for your craft projects?  I sure do and you know what, I wish I had bigger ones! All the projects that I'm knitting & crocheting at the moment seem to be at minimum of 4 balls and all my project bags are way too small!

As I set out to make myself a bag, I suddenly thought 'I wonder if anyone else needs/wants a bigger project bag'. So I put some feelers out and yes, there was interest. So here we are, The Big Project Bag Swap, Australia only.

The basics:
You make a big project bag, you mail it to me, I combine it with the rest of the swaps and in return you will receive a different project bag back in the post!  Does that sound like a fun idea to you?

What kind of bag should I make?
You can make project bags from anything! They could be knitted, crocheted, felted or sewn, just remember that they need to be big!  In trying to decided what to make, you may find it easier to think along the lines of "what would I like to receive" or "what would be useful for me" for inspiration, as you are a crafter & you know what you need/want! right?!!

How big is a project bag?

The project bags need to be big, they need to hold approx. 6 Bendigo Woollen Mills balls (it was the easiest size reference that I could think of!)
You can make just one bag (& receive one in return) or you can make two or three (& receive two or three in return) etc.

The details:
~ If you want to swap 1 project bag only then please include (along with the project bag) a 1kg (or 3kg) prepaid Australia Post satchel self addressed (with your name & address) so that I can pop your return swap project bag straight into it & mail back to you.

~ If you want to swap multiple project bags then please include a prepaid 5kg Australia Post bag -- self addressed of course!

It's not required but you may like to pop 'a little something' in the bag/s such as a letter or a pressie for your swap partner.

Swap deadline:
All swap parcels need to be posted to me by the 31st August - that gives you over a month of project bag making & plenty of chance to mail it.

Due to using pre-paid trackable postage satchels (to ensure that the swap runs smoothly) this is an Australian Swap only.  
Would you like to join the swap?  Just send your swap stuff (remember to include your return satchel) to me:
Marie Biswell, PO Box 12, Blackmans Bay  Tas 7052

You will need to post the swap parcels by the 31st August 2018. I will then swap the bags and you will have your new project bag/s by mid September.

Worried about what kind of bag you'll receive (for your effort) or if

you'll get something in return?

~ I'll do my best to match skill for skill & size for size that way (hopefully) you won't be disappointed in the project bag you receive in return.

~ You only get a project bag if you've sent one if for the swap. The project bags will be posted directly to me (along with the return prepaid, self addressed satchel) so you will already have your own tracking number for the parcel.

General swap stuff:
Ok, so let's look at what makes a good large-sized project bag.
Well, as we are wanting to swap larger project bags, let's use good ole Bendigo Woollen Mills balls as a size gauge!  I'd suggest aiming to fit approx. 6 bwm balls into this project bag.

As it's a larger size bag, it'll need to be able to sit flat - so it needs a bottom/base to the bag. It'll also need sides or gussets and of course be tall enough.  It will need to have a wide (or opens wide) top/opening.  It's up to you if you want to use a zip, button or just leave it open.
Yes, it will need handles too.

Here are some examples to get your brain thinking:

Solid base, tall sides, deep enough for the balls: ~ Stand Up & Tote Notice   
~ Factotum Office Tote   
~ Andrea's Rucksak … I've made this before and it has a super wide opening, perfect for large knitting projects, see it here. 
~ Hello Pouches (but you'd need to add a handle!)
~ Kids Art Organizer Tote … I've actually made that bag and it holds up really well, see the one I made here...
~ Aeroplane Bag




Big wide base, narrower height:
~ Project Bag pattern
~ Crafty Organizer Bags
~ H Bag
~ Awesome Sewing & Travel Tote - I have my eyes glued to this, it looks super perfect!
~ Makers Tote - I made one for me years ago and it's simply perfect for large projects. See it here...
~ Crimson & Clover Train case - larger size
Good for travelling projects: 
~ Creative Tote
~ Quilted Travelling Duffle
~ Granny Tote
~ Bucket Bag
~ Park Lane Bag
~ Lavender Cosmetic bag - yes, I know it's for cosmetics but the larger size would make the most awesome project bag
~ Summer Festival Sling

For those that want to either knit or crochet a project bag:

~ Boho Chic Mosaic tote 
~ Chasing Chevrons tote 

The above are just a few examples, there are hundreds of patterns that you could choose from, please feel free to make whatever you want and hey, if you can recommend some patterns then please leave a comment below too.

Happy project bag making!

To share your project bag making ideas, progress & receipt of goodies, use this hashtag #TheBigProjectBagSwapAustralia

Please feel free to use the above logo to help promote the swap as the more people involved the bigger variety of project bags there will be!

ps. I just checked and it's been exactly four years since the last project bag swap!  Where you in the first project bag swap?

I utilise affiliate links throughout my blog as a way to help me keep crafting. If you click on an aff link, I receive a very small amount from it at NO cost to you. So please help me to keep CraftyRie up and running by clicking on my aff links! Many thanks, Marie

Winterist

Well, would you look at that. 
I knitted lace. 
Chunky lace but hey it's still lace!

I have to admit, when I first started knitting with this powder pink yarn, I thought I wouldn't like it but it's working out so gorgeous - it's the perfect colour for the pattern!

I knitted this as a challenge for myself, if you fear something then find a way to combat it ...and lace scares me!  I persisted and it didn't take too long with the chunky yarn.  

This shawl is a surprise gift for a wonderful friend, something to keep her snuggly warm on these cold winter mornings.

Pattern is this one.

Yarn is this one & it's so lovely, I've gotta go & buy me some more now!

I utilise affiliate links throughout my blog as a way to help me keep crafting. If you click on an aff link, I receive a very small amount from it at NO cost to you. So please help me to keep CraftyRie up and running by clicking on my aff links! Many thanks, Marie

Stripey Fingerless Gloves

 

I remember as a kid, my Dad used to say "if you hold Marie's hand she'll walk forever with you" … I think the same goes for Laney except now that it's mid winter, those little hands are getting super cold, so the solution was to make her some gloves.

So Laney & I made these. She picked the colours then proceeded to choose the order that they went in. She even sat with me & tried to crochet it herself but she's still a bit too young for the co-ordination side of that.

These fingerless gloves were made from my scrappy stash of 220, I really love this stuff as the colours are so vibrant.

No pattern was used. I measured the length that I wanted it (against her arm), then the circumference of the widest part (at her thumb knuckle) then measured from the top down to the base of her thumb as that's were I'd finish seaming for the thumb hole ..and yes, I crocheted this flat and seamed it together. Very easy and I think I need a pair now!

I utilise affiliate links throughout my blog as a way to help me keep crafting. If you click on an aff link, I receive a very small amount from it at NO cost to you. So please help me to keep CraftyRie up and running by clicking on my aff links! Many thanks, Marie

Pie Time crochet van ....and my own errata for the pattern!

 

Confession: I crocheted this van for my son last year and wanted to see how he used it before doing a Show & Tell on my blog! 

Yes, he loved it and how does he use it? He stores his Shopkins in it and I think that is just the cutest thing! 

Am I glad I made it? Yes!  It was a challenge, and I'd never seen anything like it, so I really enjoyed crocheting it.   It's actually supposed to be an ice-cream van but my son keeps saying he wants to have his own pie shop, maybe even a pie food truck - so I just had to turn it into one!

And now you want to make one too because it's just so cool, am I right?!  The pattern is from a book, grab it either here or here.

And what yarn did I use?  I used yarn from my stash! Biggest tip, is for the materials, you need to use a sturdy cardboard like this, otherwise it'll collapse on you!

What do I make next?  I want to make my son something equally awesome for his birthday this year, so I'm thinking of this, but I've first got to find the right colour blue for it.

Now for the tricky bit: this pattern needed an errata.
When I started making the pattern, I had some major questions with the pattern that needed answers, so I contacted the publisher and the designer but received no response. I did manage to (eventually) find a errata but it wasn't complete and still left me with many questions unanswered. So in an effort to aid the next person that makes this, who may have the same questions as me, you may find some help below. I hope it helps you.

Question... what about a piece for the external rear (or perhaps you’d call it the external floor & back?).

This piece (& instructions) is missing from the pattern, so this is what I did:

~ With matching yarn colour to the first two panels, in my case green, crochet:
Chain 16 (check the width is correct to your other pieces)
Starting in 2nd chain from hook, 15dc across, ch1 & turn.

For the next 11 rows, dc across each row, ch1 at the end, then switch to cream or white yarn and crochet 11 rows - dc across as per previous rows (check that this matches your previous panels).

Question... why do I need to make 2 back panels? Wouldn’t I just need the shaped front panel & shaped back panel - why would I need an additional shaped back panel?

You don't.

Just make 1 x front panel which is the side of the van with the shop hole for the concession window and just make 1 x back panel which is the opposite side (but plain, with NO concession window) - do NOT make 2 back panels.

Question... for the hood & grill section.. rounds 18-22 states I need to dc into every stitch. Count 8 sts along .. line up the windscreen section etc … but which row do I actually attach the windscreen on - row 18, row 19, row 20, row 21, row 22?? So confusing! AND what exactly is a row - is it all the way around (over 40+) stitches or just back & forward & only 22 stitches?? 

I wish I had the answer for you here but I honestly couldn't figure it out properly. I just crocheted the piece looking at the photo in the book, I think I frogged this piece over & over again before I had something that looked like the cab of a truck.

Happy Crocheting!

I utilise affiliate links throughout my blog as a way to help me keep crafting. If you click on an aff link, I receive a very small amount from it at NO cost to you. So please help me to keep CraftyRie up and running by clicking on my aff links! Many thanks, Marie

Wedgies for Joe

I just finished crocheting this cushion for Joe and he loves it!
This pattern was from a designer called '10 Hours or Less', so I of course, kept track of how long it took to make. 

So, how long did it take for me to make? …... the answer is ……..

it took just over 8.5 hours to crochet.   And those eight hours were broken up with half hour here, an hour there etc as I truly wanted it to be surprise and only crocheted it when I was home alone!

I really love the finishing row, it reminds me of (fabric) piping.

So, are you going to make one now? It'd make a great gift and now that you know it takes under ten hours to make one, you have no excuse!

Pattern here...  and remember to use the code: CraftyRie to get 20% off this pattern and any other of their patterns.

Yarn was: this blue, this green, this red, this beige, this white.
I think this cushion would look really cool in a yarn like this for the wedges as the slow colour change would just be awesome!

In fact, this cushion actually deviates from the pattern slightly … oops but hey, I'm calling it an intentional design element!

By the way, I totally adore my son as everyday he tells me yet another reason
why he loves his new cushion "I love how it looks like a flower" "I like how it's big & squishy" "I love that you used red because red is my favourite colour" "I love using it to lean on whilst I'm reading" etc etc

I utilise affiliate links throughout my blog as a way to help me keep crafting. If you click on an aff link, I receive a very small amount from it at NO cost to you. So please help me to keep CraftyRie up and running by clicking on my aff links! Many thanks, Marie