Blue Ribbon Clothespin Bag
Here’s another one of those patterns that I have fully tested in my own home…for almost 10 years!
When we moved into our new house, the first thing I asked my husband to build was a clothesline. I’d never had one of my own before. I went out and bought some clothespins, but I needed a bag or something to put them in. Until I could find a solution to my problem, I was using a plastic ice cream bucket and it was not cutting it!
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I had no idea if I could make a clothespin bag and I was still very new to crochet at the time, but decided to try. Looking back now, I can’t remember the exact reason why I chose the flaming neon green yarn. Maybe it was because someone had given it to me or because I didn’t want to use GOOD yarn in case it didn’t work out. If I used the ugly yarn, I had nothing to loose. Besides, what else was I going to use it for?
My bag actually came out awesome! Better than I expected. But now I was stuck using that ugly thing—for years!
Over the years, it stretched a bit and, from being left in the sun, faded to a wonderful minty/booger-y color. (Insert sarcasm here) Other than that, the bag did it’s job and did it well. I was pleased.
Don’t laugh. Ugh! So UGLY!!! Okay, you can laugh. It’s atrocious. But…there it is…over 10 years old.
Just last summer, I retired Ol’ Green and created a new bag. A much prettier one that I wouldn’t be so embarrassed to hang where the neighbors could see!
Funny story: After using that bag for years, it wasn’t until I made the pretty blue one that one of my neighbors asked me to make her one! Ha! It was that bad.
Here’s a tip I learned about maintenance:
I made one of these bags for my mom a few years back and I believe she left it out in the rain.
I wouldn’t recommend it.
Because of the weight of the clothespins, the bag sagged so much that she couldn’t use it anymore. Don’t worry though! If you do happen to leave it in the rain, just remove the clothespins and lay the bag flat like the picture of Ol’ Green shown above. I would suggest flipping it over half way through drying. Just make sure it is completely dry before adding the pins back in. It should be fine.
The same drying method goes for machine washing as well. Don’t use the dryer.
This Blue Ribbon Clothespin Bag pattern is probably in the intermediate category. The pocket part is easy, but it gets more detailed when you’re molding around the child-sized hanger. Make sure to keep track of your stitch counts. Don’t let that keep you from making one of these beautiful bags! I have faith in you. You can do it. I recommend staying away from the neon green yarn—unless that’s your thing, that is! 😉
Blue Ribbon Clothespin Bag
Materials Used:
- 1 skein of Red Heart Supersaver – Windsor Blue 7 oz / 198 g – 364 yds / 333 m
Or any worsted weight yarn - 1/4” width white ribbon, 48” long
- 5.00 mm (H/8) hook
Adjust your hook size if needed to obtain the required gauge. - Child sized hanger
- 2 Stitch markers
- Yarn needle
Finished Size Approximately:
16”H x 12”W
Gauge:
15 ½ stitches by 19 rows in a 4” (10cm) square.
Special Stitches:
Single crochet 2 together (sc2tog)
Insert hook into designated stitch, YO, draw back through the stitch, insert hook into next stitch, YO, draw back through the stitch, YO and draw through all 3 loops on hook. Also called a decrease.
Abbreviations:
FC – foundation chain
ch – chain
st – stitch
sc – single crochet
ea – each
BLO – back loop only
sl st – slip stitch
sc2tog – single crochet 2 together
Notes:
- Don’t work in the round. You will turn your work after every row. There are pictures to indicate which sts to work into when turning.
- For Row 52 – Row 62, each row will be given an “F” or “B” to indicate which direction you will be working in case of confusion. F for toward the front. B for toward the back.
- If you can avoid it, don’t allow the Blue Ribbon Clothespin bag to get rained on. The weight of the clothespins will cause the bag to sag and stretch as it dries. If you wash it, don’t put it in the dryer. If it gets wet, lay piece out flat on a towel to dry thoroughly, flipping half way through, before putting the clothespins back in it.
*** American crochet terms used throughout.
Instructions:
FC: Ch 46
Row 1: Work in BLO. In 2nd ch from hook, 2 sc; sc in ea ch across except for last ch. In last ch, 2 sc. Working along the opposite edge of the FC, 2 sc in the 1st ch (which was originally the front loop of FC); sc in ea ch across except for last ch. In last ch, 2 sc; sl st in top of 1st sc made; ch 1, turn. (94 sc)
Row 2: Sc in ea st around; sl st in top of 1st sc of round; ch 1, turn. (94 sc)
Row 3 – Row 17: Repeat Row 2. (94 sc)
At the end of Row 17, ch 3 instead of just 1.
Row 18: Dc in ea st around; sl st in top of 1st dc of round; ch 1, turn. (94 dc)
Row 19 – Row 34: Repeat Row 2. (94 sc)
Finish off after Row 34.
After Row 34, lay piece out flat.
With stitch markers, mark out where your opening will go. (hole is 20 sc, centered)
Count in 13 sts from the right side and place a st marker. Continue counting over 20 sts and place a second marker. This will be your opening.
Row 35: You’re going to attach the yarn at the st marker on the right, but you need to flip your bag over and insert your hook from inside the piece. Work to the left. Sc in ea st around to 2nd st marker; ch 1, turn. (74 sc)
Row 36 – Row 45: Sc in ea st around; ch 1, turn. (74 sc)
Row 46: Sc in ea st around; ch 20 and sl st in top of 1st sc made of Row 46. Finish off.
Reattach yarn back on the edge where original seam was located for Rows 1 – 34.
Row 47 – Row 51: Sc in ea st around; ch 1, turn. (94 sc)
Now we begin the decreases to mold the bag to the shape of the hanger. It is very important that you follow the instructional photos as to where you place your stitches regarding the seam or your numbers will be off. What we are ultimately doing is decreasing 5 sts every row (3 decreases on one side and 2 decreases on the other) and then alternating to keep it even.
Remember: F is for work toward the front; B is for work toward the back.
F Row 52: Sc2tog; sc in next 41 sts; sc2tog (3 times); sc in next 43 sts; sc2tog; sl st in top of 1st sc of row {See photo #1}; ch 1, turn. (89 sc) {See photo #2 for first st placement for Row 53 and all remaining rows}
Photo #1
Photo #2
B Row 53: Sc2tog (2 times); sc in next 39 sts; sc2tog (2 times); sc in next 40 sts; sc2tog; sl st in top of 1st sc of row; ch 1, turn. (84 sc)
F Row 54: Sc2tog; sc in next 36 sts; sc2tog (3 times); sc in next 38 sts; sc2tog; sl st in top of 1st sc of row; ch 1, turn. (79 sc)
B Row 55: Sc2tog (2 times); sc in next 34 sts; sc2tog (2 times); sc in next 35 sts; sc2tog; sl st in top of 1st sc of row; ch 1, turn. (74 sc)
F Row 56: Sc2tog; sc in next 32 sts; sc2tog (3 times); sc in next 32 sts; sc2tog; sl st in top of 1st sc of row; ch 1, turn. (69 sc)
B Row 57: Sc2tog (2 times); sc in next 28 sts; sc2tog (2 times); sc in next 31 sts; sc2tog; sl st in top of 1st sc of row; ch 1, turn. (64 sc)
F Row 58: Sc2tog; sc in next 28 sts; sc2tog (3 times); sc in next 26 sts; sc2tog; sl st in top of 1st sc of row; ch 1, turn. (59 sc)
B Row 59: Sc2tog (2 times); sc in next 23 sts; sc2tog (2 times); sc in next 26 sts; sc2tog; sl st in top of 1st sc of row; ch 1, turn. (54 sc)
F Row 60: Sc2tog; sc in next 23 sts; sc2tog (3 times); sc in next 21 sts; sc2tog; sl st in top of 1st sc of row; ch 1, turn. (49 sc)
B Row 61: Sc2tog (2 times); sc in next 17 sts; sc2tog (2 times); sc in next 22 sts; sc2tog; sl st in top of 1st sc of row; ch 1, turn. (44 sc)
F Row 62: Sc2tog; sc in next 19 sts; sc2tog (3 times); sc in next 15 sts; sc2tog; sl st in top of 1st sc of row; ch 1, turn. (39 sc)
Finish off. Weave in end.
In Row 18: With ribbon, weave *over 9 dc, under 1 dc*. Repeat from * to * around. I placed my bow off to the left side, but you can put yours wherever you prefer. There is a closeup photo above this pattern that shows how I weaved the ribbon for reference.
I hope you’ve enjoyed the Blue Ribbon Clothespin Bag pattern!
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