FREE PATTERN WITH VIDEO TUTORIAL
One repurposing idea that had been on my mind for years… Inspired by my Mother, like many other projects. It was about 20 years ago when she started giving new use to plastic containers, to make useful bags and/or baskets.
The Beta Repurposed Container With Crochet is the result of several attempts to create an easy crochet add-on that gave a nice look and fresh functionality. Something that would integrate both materials and textures, without being extra complicated to put together.
Easy in the round and back and forth construction with basic stitch work, for a piece that can also be removed when needed. It fits the 9-10 L big containers, which are commonly used for home laundry.
You do need to have essential crochet notions so, resources like my Crocheting from scratch video come in handy if you want to get a grasp of how to use your hook and yarn first. Then, you can attempt more confidently into a bigger project.
Worsted weight cotton yarn is my choice because it creates a nice resistant weave. The mix of textures will make you want to show them off, either as storage baskets for your home or as practical bags to carry your yarn projects, because they are super spacious.
SPECIAL STITCHES
Single crochet join (Standing single crochet)
Used to add a new yarn in the beginning of a new round, to get a cleaner start. Make a slip ring over the hook, insert the hook in the st, yarn over, pull through the st, yarn over and pull through two loops on the hook.
This video tutorial for the Repurposed Container With Crochet Beta covers all steps of the making. Video is in Spanish, but you have the option to see the Closed Caption in the language of your choice, by selecting the settings icon on the video then, select Closed Caption, Automatic Translation and select your language. And you also have all written directions, below this same post, to follow every detail step by step.
SUGGESTED MATERIALS
- Two 70 gr / 2.5 oz (109 m/120 yd) skeins of worsted weight Lily Sugar n’Cream (100% cotton) yarn in ECRU
- One 70 gr / 2.5 oz (109 m/120 yd) skein of worsted weight Lily Sugar n’Cream (100% cotton) yarn in COUNTRY YELLOW
- 4 mm (G-6) crochet hook
- Stitch markers
- Two 39.4” / 100 cm long 5 mm cords in CREAM
- Nine 0.6” / 1.5 cm sew on button snaps in SILVER
- Sewing thread
- Sewing needle
- Tapestry needle
- One empty 2.4 gal / 9 L laundry detergent container
- Blade or knife cutter
- Cutting mat
- Marker
- Measuring tape
- Scissors
FINISHED SIZE
Finished container with crochet (width x height x side)
10.6″ x 7.5″ x 5.9″ / 27 cm x 19 cm x 15 cm
Main piece (without the short straps)
14.8” x 8.1” / 37.5 cm x 20.5 cm
Short straps
1.8” x 3.9” / 4.5 cm x 10 cm
Band for handles
1.4” x 69.7” / 3.5 cm x 177 cm
GAUGE
Double crochet, back and forth
15 sts and 8 rows= 4”/10 cm
SKILL LEVEL
Easy
This design includes basic crochet stitches, simple shaping and finishing techniques.
STITCH GUIDE
- R: row
- Rnd: round
- Ch: chain
- St(s): stitch(es)
- Sl st: slip stitch
- Sc: single crochet
- Dc: Double crochet
- Rep: repeat
- Beg: beginning
- Sp: space
- RS: right side
- WS: wrong side
NOTES
- When crocheting in the round, in a spiral, with sc, place a marker in first st of the Rnd and move up with every Rnd as work progresses.
- When crocheting in the round, in closed rounds, with dc, ch 3 to begin every Rnd, these 3 ch do not count as first dc
- When closing every Rnd, with dc, sl st in first dc of the Rnd, by skipping beg 3 ch
- When crocheting back and forth, with sc, ch 1 to begin every R, this ch does not count as a st.
BETA REPURPOSED CONTAINER WITH CROCHET
MAIN PIECE
Crocheted in the round, in a spiral and back and forth, starting from the lower edge. With ECRU ch 112.
Rnd 1: Starting in first ch made to close in the round, sc 112 (taking care not to twist the foundation ch)= 112 sts (place markers in beg ch of sts 4, 11, 47, 54, 60, 67, 103, 110)
Rnds 2-10: Sc 112= 112 sts.
Sl st in next st
Rnds 11-17: Ch 3, dc 112, sl st in first dc of the Rnd= 112 sts
Rnd 18: Ch 3, dc 2, (ch 2, skip 2 sts, dc 2) rep ( ) 27 times, ch 2, skip 2 sts, sl st in first dc of the Rnd= 56 dc and 28 ch-2 sp
Rnds 19-20: Ch 3, dc 112 (by closing last dc of Rnd 20 with YELLOW), sl st in first dc of the Rnd= 112 sts
Cut ECRU leaving a 4”/10 cm tail.
Rnd 21: Ch 3, dc 112, sl st in first dc of the Rnd= 112 sts
Rnd 22: (Skip 1 st, 4 dc in next st, skip 1 st, sl st in next st) rep ( ) 28 times, sl st in first dc of the Rnd= 28 shapes of 4 dc
Fasten off and weave in all ends.
SHORT STRAPS (MAKE 4)
Crocheted and back and forth, starting from the end joined to the main piece. With ECRU, on the RS of main piece, work in between the markers on each side of the main piece. By starting on the opposite side of the foundation ch of the main piece.
R1 (RS): Sc join, sc 6, turn= 7 sts
R2-15: Ch 1, sc 7, turn= 7 sts
Fasten off and weave in all ends.
BAND FOR THE HANDLES
Crocheted back and forth, starting from one end. With YELLOW ch 6.
R1(WS): Starting in 2nd ch from the hook, sc 5, turn= 5 sts
R2-268: Ch 1, sc 5, turn= 5 sts (place markers in 1st and last st of R38, 98, 170 and 230
Fasten off and weave in all ends.
FINISHING
SNAP PLACEMENT
With sewing thread, join the socket side of 4 snaps to the WS of each short strap, centered and 0.2” / 0.5 cm from the edge. Sew the stud side of the 4 snaps to the WS of the main piece, right above each short strap, centered with the socket side.
Sew the socket side of 2 snaps to the RS of front and back of the main piece, 10 sts from each short strap, with an interspace of 11 sts.
Sew the socket side of 1 snap to one end of the handle band and sew the stud side to the opposite end of the band, on the opposite side of the weave, to close the band in the round.
Sew the stud of 2 snaps to each side of the handle band, to the inner side, from the markers outwards.
CONTAINER CUT OUTS
Measure 7.5” / 19 cm from the bottom up and mark all around the container. With the blade cutter make a small cut through the plastic and then continue cutting all around with scissors, to completely cut out the top part of the container. Wash and dry the container if necessary.
With the blade cutter make 4 cutouts on each side of the container, 3.5” / 9 cm and 5.9” / 15 cm from the bottom up, centered, with an interspace of 2.4” / 6 cm. Mark previously if necessary. Spaces for the cutouts are 1.6” x 0.5” / 4 cm x 1.5 cm
Make 4 additional cutouts on the bottom of the container, two on each front/back side, centered, with an interspace of 2.4” / 6 cm. Mark previously if necessary. Spaces for the cutouts are 1.2” x 0.5” / 3 cm x 1.5 cm
Insert the handle band through the bottom cutouts and button up the ends, by centering them over one side of the bottom.
Place the main piece to cover the top of the container, by inserting each short strap in the first cutout (bottom to top of the container) and button up with the opposite side of the snap on the WS of the container.
Button up the handles on front/back of the container, over crochet main piece.
Insert one cord through one center space on one side of the main piece and pull through each ch-2 sp from Rnd 18, until coming out on the other center space on the same side of the main piece. Tie a knot. Rep for the other cord, on the opposite side of the main piece.
You will be able to use containers from different brands, as long as you make the cut outs as indicated in the instructions.
And the Repurposed Container With Crochet Beta is ready for a new life. You will be amazed at how cute it looks. So now, everytime you have another empty detergent box you can make a new spacious accessory.
Carry your knitting/crochet projects, use them for home storage or as multipurpose bag/basket. Share your results with me, use #betacontainerwithcrochet to see your version or just tag me as @chabepatterns on my Instagram.
All written instructions and images in this pattern are protected by Copyright. This pattern is for personal use and not to be copied or reproduced, partially or totally, for any purpose. It may not be redistributed or shared anywhere, either online or offline. Finished items made from this pattern may be sold, in small quantity. But they cannot be promoted using the images contained in this pattern. Proper credit for the original design must be given to Chabepatterns and link back to this post and/or designer’s pattern shop.