Friday, February 18, 2011

The Hex Tote Video Crochet-A-Long - Episode 1



Episode 1 - The first three rows of a hex motif. Make 26 to start The Hex Tote.

After all the wonderful name suggestions (OMG, Bagasaurus Hex?!  So amazing), I settled on a simple "The Hex" as the name.  And since it's a tote ... The Hex Tote.

Here are tutorials for some of the techniques mentioned in this post:


For my bag, I used Lily brand Sugar 'n Cream worsted weight cotton yarn.  I used what I had on hand, which is why the colors aren't used equally.  I'm not sure how much yarn it takes, but the nice thing about granny motifs is that if you have to pick up more yarn later, the dye lot doesn't matter since the same color is never touching itself.

I used a 3.75mm hook so the stitches would be super dense.  I didn't want a lot of the lining peeking through my motifs.

You can make this bag with any size/type yarn and any size hook you'd like, there are no rules.  Let me know if you have any more initial questions.
47 Comments (comments are disabled)


shumaila said ...
Thanks Alice! Can't wait to start my Hex Tote.
2/18/2011 8:36 AM

Seanna Lea said ...
I have to admit that I still like and hate Bagasaurus Hex (probably because it was my fault). Hex Tote is certainly an easier sell, especially because the bag doesn't actually have anything to do with dinosaurs.
2/18/2011 9:12 AM

Love the Hext Tote!
2/18/2011 11:12 AM

Oops, I meant Hex Tote ... although I guess Hext Tote is ok, too. :)
2/18/2011 11:12 AM

futuregirl replied ...
CrochetBlogger ... Goodness, me. I love "hext". What a great typo!
2/19/2011 3:13 PM

Amanda said ...
I cannot get enough hexes! Super excited to get started!
2/18/2011 11:27 AM

Tara said ...
Yay! I know what I'm going to be doing this weekend! Thanks, Alice.
2/18/2011 12:14 PM

Donna said ...
This is so cool! I'm going to gather my yarn and try this!
2/18/2011 12:31 PM

Jen said ...
Neat! I guess I never realized that one of the benefits of lining a bag would be that you don't have to weave in ends. Ive been so conditioned to never ever ever knot when working with yarn, i think my mind popped a little when I realized why you were knotting!
2/18/2011 1:47 PM

futuregirl replied ...
Jen ... Never *ever* knotting? How do you do that? I knot yarn in ever project I make. :) Sometimes more inconspicuously than other times.
2/19/2011 3:14 PM

Lee said ...
this is so beautiful and I will make this, thanks for sharing this with all of us.
2/19/2011 8:14 AM

Holli said ...
I am so excited!! More fun!! Thanks so much. You did such a good job with the video! I'm about to get started.
2/19/2011 2:56 PM

futuregirl replied ...
Holli ... Thanks, Holli!
2/19/2011 3:14 PM

Stephanie said ...
Decided to make the bag. I've made one hex (and already lost it to my 5 year old daughter...lol!). Clearly, I'm insane, because I have not done crochet since I was 18 (I'm 31). I've been wanting to make myself a bag, and this one finally convinced me!
2/19/2011 3:38 PM

futuregirl replied ...
Stephanie ... Ha! Well, maybe you should just let her keep it. Your version of the pattern requires 27 hexes. :) Hope you enjoy the project!
2/19/2011 3:57 PM

Hillery Towle said ...
I was thinking about a hex blanket for my next project, I think I'll try out your tutorial. Thanks.

2/19/2011 6:43 PM

viola said ...
I love this bag. I am going have a good time with this project.
Thanks for sharing
2/20/2011 6:14 AM

Susan said ...
Great instructions! I've finished my 26 hexes and I'm ready to get them put together. Thank you so much!
2/20/2011 6:18 PM

Pam said ...
I have to have one of these totes! How cute would this be with a matching headband for summer? :-)

I just finished a pair of slippers, so the tote is my next project!
2/20/2011 9:53 PM

Annette said ...
I was so excited to see this tut was done. Thanks so much you did a great job! Can't wait to start this one.
2/21/2011 7:58 AM

Bernadette said ...
I felt the same way as Jen when I saw you knot the yarn. My brain froze and I had to restart. At first I thought you were knotting to keep the yarn ends out of the way and would be weaving in later. I love how joined in the new rounds.
2/21/2011 5:15 PM

futuregirl replied ...
Bernadette ... Well, the truth is I knot everything even when I weave in the ends later. Maybe because I never use wool (which would kinda stick to itself)?
2/24/2011 1:35 PM

retropink said ...
Thanks for posting. My 26 motifs are ready for the next step! Actually, I have more like 40 motifs. I'll pick the 26 I like best. They were so much fun to make, I stopped counting! :)
2/22/2011 11:43 AM

Kate said ...
Your video is great! I'm really looking forward to making this bag and am planning for it to be my summer project. Would you be able to let me know roughly how much yarn (how many skeins) you used? It's just that I have no idea how I would judge that...and here in Scotland it's not easy to buy plain worsted cotton - such a pain, because I love to crochet with it. I can order from a UK-based shop online, but it would save on postage costs if I could order all the yarn at once.

Thanks in advance! :)
2/22/2011 12:20 PM

futuregirl replied ...
Kate ... I'm not going to be able to help you much. It's probably not a lot of yarn, and if you want a mix of colors, you will only use a little bit from each skein, so you'll have a bunch left over anyway. I really wish I knew, but I made that bag as a one-off, so I didn't keep track of anything. For the white, I used more than 120 yards and less than 240 yards. Sorry I can't be more helpful!
2/24/2011 1:39 PM

Stephanie said ...
I finished my 26 hexes last night while catching up on my DVR. Can't wait to get them together! I do have to figure out a way to make the liner without a sewing machine as I don't actually own one. Too bad my Cricut machine can't do that too...ha ha ha!
2/23/2011 11:07 AM

futuregirl replied ...
Stephanie ... I think hand sewing the lining isn't a huge big deal. Time consuming, but not impossible. :)
2/24/2011 6:20 PM

Kuky said ...
Ooooh!! I want to do this...when I can find some time. I think I need to seriously get one of those light up crochet needles. Then I can find the time when the kids are sleeping. :-D
2/23/2011 3:07 PM

Babs said ...
I've never made knots in a crochet pattern, either. I just weave the ends in. As long as you weave in enough, it won't come out. But also, I've never started a new color this way. It's exciting to learn new ways to do things! And I LOVE this bag. I'm very excited. Made my first hex tonight.
2/25/2011 12:26 AM

futuregirl replied ...
Babs ... I think it's awesome that so many people are telling me they don't use knots. If just one of you said it, I wouldn't believe it. Maybe I'll try it ... Do you think it works to weave in ends in cotton in an airy stitch like these grannies? I think I'd have to do a test swatch and run it through a stress test.
2/28/2011 12:34 AM

Deepa M. said ...
YAY!!! I finally had time to watch the video, and even though I'm a total novice at crocheting, I totally feel like I can make this tote. You are SO amazing as a teacher!! I wish I could come to the public crafting :) Sadly I don't have any access to yarn right now so I can't make an awesomely colorful one like yours, but I will practice the motif-making with the boring icky skein I have so I'm ready to go as soon as I can buy yarn again.
2/25/2011 3:20 AM

futuregirl replied ...
Deepa M. ... Thank you for the sweet comment! :) You *can* totally make this tote, even if you're a beginner. Let me know if you get stuck on any of the instructions.
2/28/2011 12:35 AM

Babs said ...
Yes. I think it will work to weave in the ends even with cotton thread on grannies. Just make sure you weave in about 3-4 inches. But you should fasten off first. When you finish with a color, after you cut the thread, just pull the end through the loop left on your hook. I hope this makes sense. I guess it is still a knot, but a very small one.
2/28/2011 1:52 AM

victoria said ...
ah i just watched the 3 videos and now i have to finish my many works in progress and start one of these :D how cute is this bag!?

FutureGirl, thank you for posting all of these wonderful videos and making your chart/diagrams :) <3

did you line your hex bag?
3/20/2011 3:15 PM

futuregirl replied ...
victoria ... You are welcome! My pleasure! I did line my Hex bag. I have two tutorials you can use: (1) how to sew a lining for a crochet bag, and (2) how to sew a lining into a crochet bag. Just click "tutorials" to find them.
3/20/2011 10:14 PM

victoria said ...
thanks! FutureGirl! :)
i used your *awesome* lining tutorials before.. :D i made a starling bag and have to finish up the lining for it.. and i'll send you the pictures :)
3/21/2011 12:27 PM

futuregirl replied ...
victoria ... Well, then you're a lining veteran! :) I def want to see photos of your finished bags.
3/28/2011 2:39 AM

victoria said ...
:D I wouldn't go that far!!! :)
I started making the circles! YAY! I've done 4 so far, and got to the point last night where I didn't have to keep watching your video. However, we shall have to see if I will still remember next time I pick up my yarn & crochet hook!!! :) I am *so* grateful for the pause button! :D And of course, so grateful for your video! I love it! :D :D :D
And when I *actually* properly finish something, I will definitely send you pictures! :)
4/1/2011 12:22 PM

Jo said ...
Alice

I love the colours of your yarn and the texture - what brand is it? Such cool colours. : ) xx

Jo
4/16/2011 3:05 PM

futuregirl replied ...
Jo ... This is 100% cotton yarn - Lily Sugar 'n Cream. I like it for purses/bags because it's washable (although the red bleeds a tiny bit).
4/27/2011 3:39 PM

Florida Peach said ...
Hi, I just wanted to say, that I am completely new to crocheting and I watched your videos about three times and was able to make my first crocheted anything, and the hex at that!! You have a Flickr group or something where I can post what they look like. Thank you, so much, you are an excellent instructor and I love this hex motif.
10/11/2011 9:23 AM

futuregirl replied ...
Florida Peach ... I just created a Flickr group just for you http://www.flickr.com/groups/futuregirlhextote/ You can post the first hex photo! :) Also, consider signing up for ravelry.com, you can post crochet project photos there, too. If you join ravelry, add me as a friend, I'm futuregirl.
10/11/2011 3:37 PM

Penny said ...
You have inspired me with your direct, easy-to-follow directions and gorgeous choice of colours! Can't wait to make this bag! Thank-you very much!
1/17/2012 2:09 PM

One of your blog readers did a guest post for me that features your hex tote! thanks
2/22/2012 12:23 PM

jane currah said ...
I have just finished my hex tote and I love it! It has been much admired by others too. thanks for such wonderfully clear instructions - I have loved every minute of making it xx
6/12/2012 1:00 AM

Diana Trout said ...
This is great, such a generous tutorial! Thank you. I'm fairly new to crochet so pretty clumsy still but your video was very clear. I finally learned how to do a magic circle :) 1 hexie down, 25 to go. PS: got here via Craftpod.
8/23/2013 6:27 PM
 
futuregirl replied ...
Diana Trout ... Woohoo! You can do it. :)
8/23/2013 8:32 PM