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:

• magic circle (for right and left handers)
• weaving in the last end

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.

These are the straps I designed for the secret hex bag.  Below are charts, written instructions, and a video.  Plus a bonus alternate two-row version.  Yay!

My suggestion is that you look at the chart, watch the video, and go for it.  If you absolutely must, read the written directions, but they are super-wordy even though the straps are pretty simple to make.




Granny Strap Written Directions
Row 1: Make an odd number of foundation single crochet (fsc)  stitches.  

Stop making that face ... it's easy!  If you don't believe me, click through to my tutorial and read all the comments that say how happy everyone is that they finally learned to do fsc.  You can do it.  Trust me!!!  My tutorial has a video and step-by-step photos.  And, you can ALWAYS email me.  I bet you'll have it mastered in 10 minutes, tops.

Row 2: Make two single crochet (sc) stitches in the top of the third fsc, chain 1, * skip 1 fsc, 2 sc in next fsc , chain 1 repeat from *  until you get to the last fsc.  In the last fsc make 2 sc (in the top of the fsc), chain 2, 2 sc (in the side/end of the fsc), chain 2, 2 sc (in the bottom of the fsc making sure to catch center bar of fsc so there is no yarn between the 2 sc in the top of the fsc and the 2 sc in the bottom of the fsc), chain 1. Along the bottom of the fsc row * skip 1 fsc, 2 sc in next fsc , chain 1 repeat from *  until you get to the last fsc. In the last fsc make 2 sc, chain 2, 2 sc, chain 2, 2 sc, chain 1. Skip an fsc, 2sc in next fsc, slip stitch to top of first sc of Row 2, pull a loop through the last stitch, cut yarn and pull end through, and tie a square knot on the back of the strap with the beginning and ending yarn ends.

Row 3: In the chain space to the left of the start of row 2, make 2 sc, chain 1, * skip 1 fsc, 2 sc in next fsc , chain 1 repeat from *  until you get to the 2 chain corner.  In the 2 chain corner make 4 sc, chain 1, in the next 2 chain corner, make 4 sc, chain 1. Along the bottom edge * skip 1 fsc, 2 sc in next fsc , chain 1 repeat from *  until you get to the 2 chain corner.  In the 2 chain corner make 4 sc, chain 1, in the next 2 chain corner, make 4 sc, chain 1.  Make 2 sc over the slip stitch that completed Row2 trying to hide the knot, if you can, slip stitch to top of first sc of Row 3, pull a loop through the last stitch, cut yarn and pull end through, and tie a square knot on the back of the strap with the beginning and ending yarn ends.

Finishing: Weave in yarn ends.




ALTERNATE TWO-ROW VERSION OF GRANNY STRAP

Here is a two-row version I used on the phone cozy I made.




Row 1: Make an odd number of foundation single crochet (fsc)  stitches.

Row 2: Start with top of third fsc, make one *single crochet, chain one, skip an fsc, repeat from * until you get to then last fsc.  In the last fsc, sc, chain 1, sc, chain 1, 1 sc to work around the end of the fsc row.  Along the bottom of the sc (be sure to catch the center piece of yarn) chain 1, skip one fsc, *single crochet, chain one, skip an fsc, repeat from * until you get to then last fsc. In the last fsc, sc, chain 1, sc, chain 1, 1 sc to work around the end of the fsc row.  Slip stitch to the first sc.

Feedback welcome and encouraged!
Let me know if you have any questions or anything is confusing.

Episode 5 covers handles of the Starling Handbag.

Here are all of the Starling Crochet-A-Long videos.

Here is the foundation single crochet bridge tutorial.

This is the last video!  Big thanks to karin @ madebyk for telling me about the video software (Movie Maker.  Free!) that I used to edit together and add titles and music to this video.  See what I mean about the sparkles in my theme song?

I also learned how to better make videos now that I can edit parts together and add transitions between bits so you can see fsc 1,2,3 (nice fade) 23,24, 25.  The actual recording time for this one was MUCH shorter.  The software was super easy to use and made putting the whole thing together so fast.

Now I just need a camera that doesn't make me sound like I lisp.  :)

When you're done I have a tutorial for sewing a fabric lining and sewing that lining into your bag.

Episode 4 covers side rows of the Starling Handbag.

Here are all of the Starling Crochet-A-Long videos.

OK, I've got to get on the ball this weekend and record AT LEAST the next one ... but hopefully I get them all finished up.  There can't be that many more that needs to be done ... starting the handles, crocheting the handles, and finishing the handles are the only steps left.  Think I can fit that into 5-6 minutes?

Episode 3 covers the bottom row3 and beyond of the Starling Handbag. Be thankful I hadn't lined up any jokes for this one. ;)

Here are all of the Starling Crochet-A-Long videos.

Episode 2 covers the bottom row 2 of the Starling Handbag.

Here are all of the Starling Crochet-A-Long videos. Ta da!

Episode 1 covers the foundation row and the first row of the Starling Handbag.

Download the Starling Handbag crochet pattern for free.

Learn foundation single crochet (video and photo tutorial).

Here are all of the Starling Crochet-A-Long videos.

I just rediscovered these videos!  I made a TON of them in December.  Many end right in the middle of the hot crochet action with my phone ringing, expletives (usually in German), or the camera turning off because the batteries ran out.  

I thought *all* the videos were in a state of not-so-usefulness, but there are four that are A-OKish.  In this one I make a couple goofy jokes, laugh dumb, my camera makes me sound like a lisper, and I have major stitch marker issues right at the end, but otherwise, it's golden (->>bling<<-).

The upside is that I can publish one a week for the next 4 weeks, which gives me time to make the rest of the videos showing the final steps of making a Starling Handbag.  A race against myself!  Get ready ... get set ... Go!

I hope you enjoy the theme song Andrew wrote for me!  FYI, you can't hear the sparkles at the end of the theme song that I refer to because the camera is about 10 feet from the computer.  Once I get a video editing software (recommendations for the PC, anyone?), you'll hear the sparkles ... oh, yes you will.

Gah!  I just noticed that I called it a Video Tutorial in the snazzy title cards.  I like Video Crochet-A-Long better.  Do you think anyone will notice.  Nah ...

When I was first learning foundation single crochet (fsc), I found that I made the chain part of the stitch very tightly.  This is because I wasn't pushing my hook through the loops all the way; I was just using the tip when I made the chain.  When the chain part is tight, your fsc row will to curve in on itself, like so:

Three or four people have emailed saying, "What am I doing wrong?!?" and every time, they are doing the same thing I did.

To keep you from making the same mistake, I added a note to the foundation single crochet tutorial.

This is a supplement to the original foundation single crochet tutorial.  Here I show you how to make a foundation single crochet bridge in the middle of your work.  I first used this when making the Icelandic Turtleneck for the arm holes.  I also use it to make the handles on my handbags.

The tutorial is broken down by each teeny-tiny step and includes a quick video demonstration at the end.

Detailed instructions (text is above its corresponding photo)

1.  To start your fsc you will put your hook in the place where you made the previous single crochet.  I've marked that hole with the blue yarn needle.


2. Put your hook through where you made the previous single crochet.


3. Yarn over.


4. Pull through one loop.  This is the link part of the fsc.


5. Yarn over.


6. Pull through one loop.  This is the chain part of the fsc.


7. Put a stitch marker around the left and middle strand of the chain.  This marks where you will put your hook in to start the next fsc.


8. Close up.  Same as step 7.


9. Yarn over.


10. Pull through two loops.  This is the single crochet part of the fsc.  First fsc completed.


11. Put a stitch marker in the top of the first fsc, so you know where it is.


12. Put your hook in the chain part of the first fsc where the stitch marker is.


13. Yarn over.


14. Pull through.  This is the link part of the fsc.  Continue fsc stitches as normal.


15. This is a bridge of ten fsc.


16. Close up of the last fsc in the bridge.


17. Put a stitch marker in the top.


18. Put two stitch markers in the bottom to mark the left and right bars of the bottom of the stitch.


19. Close up of step 18.


20. The blue yarn needle marks where I'll be attaching the fsc bridge to my work.


21. Put your hook through the chain  bar closest to you.


22. Put your hook through the crochet piece.


23. Put your hook through the other chain bar.  You've just made a yarn sandwich on your hook.  The chain bars are the bread and the crochet piece is the peanut butter and jelly.


24. Yarn over.


25. Pull through the sandwich ... aka the two chain parts and the crochet piece.  You should have two loops on your hook.


26. Yarn over.


27. Pull through two loops.  This completes the single crochet.


28. Close up of step 27.


29. Close up of the back of the stitch.


30. Complete the rest of the row using normal single crochet stitches.


31. Close up of the front of the start of the bridge.


32. Close up of the back of the start of the bridge.


33. Close up of the front of the end of the bridge.


34. Close up of the back of the end of the bridge.


Movie Time!

Well, I still haven't gotten around to my title cards, crafty montage opening, or theme song.  Oh, well.  You've got 5minutes 34seconds of crochety goodness to watch, and that's good enough for now. :)



As always, I'd love any feedback (good or bad) you have about this tutorial.

This foundation single crochet tutorial is broken down by each teeny-tiny step and includes a quick video demonstration at the end.  When I first attempted to learn this technique from a magazine, I had pretty good illustrations to go by, but I was still totally confused by the whole thing.  It took me 3 or 4 tries over a couple of months to even feel confident that I was doing this correctly.

Hopefully with photos of each step, you'll be able to learn this a little easier than I did.  Foundation single crochet is a wonderful technique.  Any time you start with a chain and a row of single crochet on top of the chain, you can use this technique, and that's the bulk of the crochet patterns out there!

For using a foundation single crochet row in the middle of your crochet piece, like the handles of my handbag or the armholes in a sweater, check out my foundation single crochet supplement.

Foundation crochet stitches were developed by (or popularized by - I haven't actually seen his book, so I don't know if he came up with this himself or if he discovered the technique from another source) Bill Elmore.  There is foundation single crochet, foundation double crochet, foundation triple crochet, etc ... and the idea is that you're making the initial chain row and the single (or double or triple) crochet row at the same time.

The reasons foundation stitches awesome are:

• You won't have to rip everything out and start again if you miscounted your initial chain row.


• You won't have a loose, floppy chain row dangling off your first row of single crochet.


• You won't have a tight, constricting chain row buckling your first row of single crochet.


• You can use foundation crochet to determine the size of a row when it's not set because the stitches are true-to-size unlike a chain, which is impossible to use as a row-length gauge.


• You can easily attach crochet stitches to the top and bottom of the foundation row because the top and bottom look identical.

Basic Instructions

First Stitch

• Chain two
• Insert hook under top two strands of first chain
• Yarn over, pull through the two strands of the first chain (link)
• Yarn over, pull through one loop (chain part)
• Yarn over, pull through two loops (single crochet part)

Second (And All Other) Stitch(es)

• Insert hook in chain part of previous stitch under left and back strands of chain part
• Yarn over, pull through the two strands of the previous chain (link)
• Yarn over, pull through one loop (chain part)
• Yarn over, pull through two loops (single crochet part)
• repeat to end

Detailed instructions (text is above its corresponding photo)

FIRST STITCH

1.  Chain two.  The chain is an upside down teardrop shape.  I will refer to the sides of the upside down teardrop as the right and left strand of the chain and collectively as the top strands of the chain.


2. This is the back of the chain.  I will refer to the vertical piece of yarn behind the upside down teardrop as the back strand of the chain.


3. This is showing you where you will insert your hook from the right to the left between the top strands of the chain and the bottom strand of the chain.


4. Here the hook has been inserted from right to left between the top strands of the chain and the bottom strand of the chain.


5. The same as photo 4 except that I'm holding the piece.


6. Yarn over.


7. Pull yarn through the first chain strands.  You will now have two loops on your hook.  This links this stitch to the initial chain.


8. Same as photo 7, but a different angle.


9. Yarn over.


10. Pull through one loop.  This is the chain part of the foundation single crochet.  I've marked the left, right, and back strand of the chain.  Be sure to make the chain part of your fsc stitches loosely.  If it's too tight, your row will start to curve in on itself.  See evidence here.


11. Insert a stitch marker in the chain part so you separate the left and back strand from the right strand.  When you start the next foundation single crochet stitch, this is where you will insert your hook to link the stitches.  This marker will also be helpful if you are going to connect your foundation single crochet row into a loop.


12. Same as photo 11 except turned a little so you can see the back strand of the chain part of this foundation single crochet.


13. Yarn over.


14. Pull through two loops.  This is the single crochet part of the foundation single crochet.  The first foundation single crochet stitch is now complete.


15. Insert a stitch marker under the top two strands of the single crochet part of the foundation single crochet to mark the first stitch.  This marker is helpful because you can easily find the first stitch when counting the stitches in your row.  This marker will also be helpful if you are going to connect your foundation single crochet row into a loop.


SECOND STITCH

16. Insert hook into the chain part of the previous foundation single crochet so the left strand and back strand are on the left and the right strand is on the right.  This is the place where we put the stitch marker in photo 11.


17. Yarn over.


18. Pull yarn through the chain strands.  You will now have two loops on your hook.  This links this stitch to the previous stitch.


19. Yarn over.


20. Pull through one loop.  This is the chain part of the foundation single crochet.  I've marked the left, right, and back strand of the chain.


21. Insert a stitch marker in the chain part so you separate the left and back strand from the right strand.  When you start the next foundation single crochet stitch, this is where you will insert your hook to link the stitches.


22. Yarn over.


23. Pull through two loops.  This is the single crochet part of the foundation single crochet.  The second foundation single crochet stitch is now complete.


THIRD STITCH

24. Insert hook into the chain part of the previous foundation single crochet so the left strand and back strand are on the left and the right strand is on the right.  This is the place where we put the stitch marker in photo 21.


25. Yarn over.


26. Pull yarn through the chain strands.  You will now have two loops on your hook.  This links this stitch to the previous stitch.


27. Yarn over.


28. Pull through one loop.  This is the chain part of the foundation single crochet.  If you think it would be helpful, move the stitch marker from the chain part of the second foundation single crochet and insert it here like in photo 21 so you will know where to insert your hook for the next stitch.  I prefer to grab the chain, like I show in the next photo.


29. After I make the chain part of of a foundation single crochet, I like to grab it.  Grabbing the chain part give me leverage for making the single crochet part of the stitch *and* it helps me find the place where I'll be inserting my hook when I start the next foundation single crochet stitch.


30. Yarn over.


31. Pull through two loops.  This is the single crochet part of the foundation single crochet.  The third foundation single crochet stitch is now complete.


32. Here I am inserting my hook into the chain part of the third foundation single crochet stitch.  These are the strands that I grabbed in photo 29.  This is the first step of stitch 4.

Repeat from photo 24 to 31 until the end of your row.

Movie Time!

I've been wanting to make a tutorial video forever.  Months ago I had Andrew write a theme song for me, and I've been dreaming of playing it during a funny, over-the-top opening montage of me being ridiculously crafty.  But I'm going to take this in baby steps, so my first video sorta sucks, but it fulfills it's purpose.  Much like the photos in my first post.

In the video I wanted to show you how you can get in a rhythm while doing foundation single crochet, and how your work will flow down from your hook.  It always helps me to actually see something being done, so I bet many of you would benefit from it, too.



As always, I'd love any feedback (good or bad) you have about this tutorial.