Crochet with twine

The Mister had some useful presents for Christmas, including a ball of jute garden twine.

It would have been perfect for tying in plants and other gardenly tasks, but I had other ideas.

Involving crochet.

Obviously.

So here's a super-easy little pattern to make a mini flower pot holder. I made two, cos I had two little plants. One of them has some lengths of twine attached so that it can hang at a window. 

(Lots of people have asked whether the twine hurt my hands to work with and the simple answer is no. I made sure that I kept my tension fairly loose and to be honest, these are such a quick project, I didn't notice any discomfort.)

You will need:

I used:

1 ball of jute garden twine

2 x mini flower pots, measuring approx 4cm across base x 5cm tall

5.5mm hook

Stitch marker

[This pattern is written in UK terms. US equivalents are given below]

UK double crochet = US single crochet

Abbreviations:

dc = double crochet

sts = stitches

BLO = back loops only

Pattern:

This pattern is worked in a continuous spiral of stitches, starting at the bottom of the potholder. Use your stitch marker to mark the first stitch of every round, or you'll get in a pickle.

6dc in magic ring, OR ch2, 2dc in 2nd ch from hook.

Rnd 1: 2dc in each st (12 sts)

Rnd 2: (dc1, 2dc in next st) repeat around (18)

Rnd 3: dc 18 in BLO

Rnd 4: dc 18

Rnd 5: (dc 2, 2dc in next st) repeat around (24)

Rnds 6-8: dc 24

Rnd 9: Reverse dc / Crab Stitch edging (24)

(You can always just do an extra round of regular dc if you like)

To make the reverse dc/crab stitch, first chain 1. You are now going to work backwards, from left to right. Insert your hook into the 3rd stitch from your hook, from front to back. (You could try inserting into the 2nd st from your hook, but I found the 3rd easier)

Yarn over and pull through a loop (it all looks a bit weird at first, but bear with..)

Yarn over and pull through all loops. Stitch made.

Now have faith, and keep going. You'll soon get the hang of it and will be making a fabulous edge for your pot holder. 

Once you get back to the beginning of the round, fasten off and weave in ends.

If you want to make a hanging potholder, then cut three lengths of twine to your liking (mine measured about 30 cm) and knot them, evenly spaced to the inside of your potholder.

Job's a goodun'.

Now raid the shed, find the twine and get yourself a hook..

(Oh, and if the Mister comes a-looking for something to tie up the peonies, I'm keeping quiet.)

Enjoy making,

Sarah xx