OS style recycling of materials...

MrsTinks

I just wanted to share this with you all
Recently I saw one fo these 99p kits for children to learn to crochet... and being as I had a spare afternoon with horrid weather looming I though "what the heck I always wanted to learn how..." and parted with my 99p.
Well by the end of the afternoon I was "hooked" (pardon the pun).
I'm now working on my first lapghan (the best way of describing it is a lap blanket that is croched... ) for my nan as she always had time for me to teach me how to do things and they had me living with them for 3 years and treated me as their own child and now they are in a nursing home I wanted to make somethign special for her to tell her how much I think of them all the time.
Anyway looking at sites for crochet (some kindly passed on by fellow MSE'ers) I have stumbled across all manner of frugal ideas! And green too! How about an evening bag made from VHS tapes? Funky bags from old denim shirts and jeans? Plastic bags recycled into a plastic bag holder, a coaster or a water proof bag? Old string made into cushions for the garden, and old sweaters that have been unravelled and made into anything you like, clothes, rugs, blankets, cushions, slippers, bags, hats - the list is nearly endless!

So if you know how to crochet why not give it a go? you could make plastic bags into a vegetable shopping net - or store your home grown potatoes in a home made potato sack made from left over string...

Try it!

Tine

dolly_day_dream

This is right up my street - could you post some of the web sites?
I know that your gran will love the blanket. Many years ago I started to crochet a red shawl - when I had finished it I wasn't that sure what to do with it. A friend lived in sheltered housing and suggested that one of the ladies there might like it. The lady I gave it to was thrilled and cried that someone had thought of her (least thats what I tell myself - she might have been crying at having to accept my crocheting!!) It's the little things that mean a lot.

Mrs_Flittersnoop

Ooh I like the idea of making my own bags, maybe I could use up some of DH's million old VHS tapes, preferably the ones with horrible war films on....:rotfl:

Is learning to crochet easy? My granny used to do it, but said she couldn't teach me because I'm left handed - any other lefties out there who can weave magic with a hook and reassure me??

I already sew practically all my own clothes so am used to using patterns etc but must admit I'm a seriously awful knitter, maybe crochet is the answer....

Thanks!
Mrs F x

Lyndsay_21

what exactly is crocheting?

amandada

I made my daughter a skirt out of her too short jeans

Crazychik

Hi Tine

Im the opposite, I love to crochet but cant knit, and like you I picked up a pack teach yourself how to knit, for £2. It turned out a little wierd my first attempt,(meant to be a scarf, but I think i cast off a little too tightly) but my DD loved the colours that much, i turned it into a bag for her. I spent a further 14p on a duffle coat type toggle button for it. Waste not - want not!

My Nanna tried to teach me how to knit yrs ago, but its something I could never pick up (pardon the pun), and I was the one who taught her how to crochet. She made lots of shawls for the local hospice. And many baby shawls for the ever growing grand/great grand children!

The list is endless what can be done! I remember making little pouch bags, and lining it with a small sheet of cotton (usually taken from old bed sheets) and filling it with chocolate bars, ideal Christmas stocking filler!

stefejb

Mrs_Flittersnoop wrote: »

Is learning to crochet easy? My granny used to do it, but said she couldn't teach me because I'm left handed - any other lefties out there who can weave magic with a hook and reassure me??

I

I'm left handed and crochet - i do it right handed though so it's not impossible. In fact I alternate sewing and knitting (lefthandedly) with crocheting to give my wrists a rest. give it a go but if you can't cope righthandedly I'm sure someone cleverer than me could find left handed instructions somewhere

Crazychik

I was once asked to teach crochet at school in our craft lessons, (when I was a pupil also), Im not left handed, but ended up teaching someone who was, the way we got around it was by using a mirror, It was easy for me, but hard for them to learn, but they did grasp it!

MrsTinks

If I can do it then anyone can here are some of the links I have added to my favourites:

Crochetville - forum a nicer bunch of ladies you couldn't hope to chat to! They are SO helpful and supportive most are US but don't let that put you off - although some terms are different they will help you find the right terms

Patterns all kinds of stuff!

How to crochet - video tutorials I do traditional crochet but tunisian looks interesting

How to make plastic bag "yarn"

VHS tapes recycled into a sling bag Scroll down for other recycle ideas including the plasticbag holder from crochet plastic bags

MrsTinks

And I can knit too, but because I have inflamed tendons I find it very painful after a little while. Especially if the garment is heavy and big then I struggle holding up the needles with the weight on them.


Found this link for left handed instructions

Queen.Bess

I too have found the joys of knitting this year and like crazychik, my first scarf attempt wasn't too straight - I started with 20 stitches and ended up with 27! But my 2nd attempt was much better! Although I still get my Mum to cast on for me as I'm not too good at that!

I'd love to know the website please Tine, so that I can make the veggie shopping net!