Garden Window Clothespin Bag

Hey Everyone!

May I present the Garden Window Clothespin Bag!

Originally I started this clothespin bag because I was testing the pattern for the Blue Ribbon Clothespin Bag. I had an extra skein of Red Heart Cornmeal in a tote and thought it would be perfect for the test. When this bag started coming to life, I had a new vision. I could see a window overlooking a garden of flowers! It was beautiful in my head and I am so pleased with how this came out.

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This version is shorter than the Blue Ribbon bag, but otherwise similar in design. It has the same decreases around the child-sized hanger used to support the main body of the bag, which was the part of the pattern I was most concerned with ensuring accuracy. It can be a bit tricky, so I took some pictures so that the stitch placements along the seam were easier to understand. If you look at the other bag pattern, I didn’t take any construction photos, so I had to use the photos I took of the Cornmeal bag.

Hey, whatever works, right?

Even though this bag is shorter, it can still hold 100 clothespins. There are a few more pieces to make and you will have to sew them on using a tapestry needle and yarn. It’s minimal stitching, but definitely worth it!

A quick note on 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. 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.

So now I have two clothespins bags. I guess there are worse problems to have!

Garden Window Clothespin Bag

Materials Used:

• 1 skein of Red Heart Super Saver – Cornmeal 7 oz / 198 g – 364 yds / 333 m
• Small amounts of Red Heart Super Saver – Burgundy, White and Warm Brown 7 oz / 198 g – 364 yds / 333 m
  Or any worsted weight yarn
• 5.00 mm (H/8) hook
• 3.75 mm (F/5) hook
  Adjust your hook size if needed to obtain the required gauge.
• 5 – 3/4” wooden buttons
• Child sized hanger
• 2 Stitch markers
• Yarn needle (or any sized needle that will fit through the holes in the buttons)
• Thread or yarn depending on the size of your needle for sewing on the embellishments.

Finished Size Approximately:

13”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
tc – triple 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 46 – Row 56, 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 bag to get rained on. The weight of the clothes pins 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 the Garden Window Clothespin Bag out flat on a towel to dry thoroughly, flipping half way through, before putting the clothes pins 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 30: Repeat Row 2. Finish off after Row 30.

After Row 30, 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 31: 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 32 – Row 39: Sc in ea st around; ch 1, turn. (74 sc)

Row 40: Sc in ea st around; ch 20 and sl st in top of 1st sc made of Row 40. Finish off.

Reattach yarn back on the edge where original seam was located for Rows 1 – 30.

Row 41 – Row 45: 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 46: 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 47 and all remaining rows}

Photo #1

Photo #2

B Row 47: 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 48: 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 49: 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 50: 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 51: 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 52: 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 53: 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 54: 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 55: 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 56: 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.

Flowers

Make 5 (3 white, 2 burgundy)

FC: Ch 4; sl st in 1st ch to form a loop.

Row 1: (Ch 3, 2 tc, ch 3, sc in loop) Repeat 5 times; sl st in 1st ch of first ch-3 of round. Finish off. Weave in end.

Using a needle with either thread or yarn (your choice; either will work), sew a wooden button over the hole in the center of the flower and then stitch the flower onto the bottom of the bag.

Note: You can get creative with your flowers by changing the colors or where you put them.

Shutters

Make 2

FC: Ch 9

R1: In 2nd ch from hook, sc across; ch 1, turn. (8 sc)

R2: In BLO, sc across; ch 1, turn. (8 sc)

Row 3 – Row 14: Repeat Row 2.

Finish off. Weave in ends.

With a needle and either thread or warm brown yarn, st one shutter on one side of bag opening. Try to center the shutter next to the “window”. The shutter is longer than the window so you will go past the top and bottom of the window. Repeat on the opposite side of opening with 2nd shutter.

Window Trim

With warm brown and F hook, sc evenly around the inside of the opening of the “window”. Sl st in the top of the 1st sc made. Finish off. Weave in end.

I hope you’ve enjoyed the Garden Window Clothespin Bag pattern!

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