Free Beginner Tunisian Afghan Stitch and Crochet Soap Saver Pattern

Soap savers are money savers, too. You will eventually use the entire bar instead of throwing the smaller slivers away. With one of these, you'll never have to throw out a melted, gooey blob that used to be an expensive bar of soap. Fill the saver with any standard size bar soap of your choice, or use soap shavings.

To take care of your soap saver, hang it up in the shower to dry after each use. This is the key to preventing the soap from dissolving into sludge. Unload your saver and wash it in the machine, or by hand, when necessary. You can use color safe bleach.

If you've never done Tunisian afghan stitch, or afghan crochet, please check the 'links' box for a website full of information about this technique. Basic instructions are also provided below. The body of this project is a simple rectangle, making this a perfect beginner's project!

Materials:

2.5 ounce ball of 4-ply cotton yarn

Size 10 Us (6.0 mm) afghan hook

Yarn Needle

Scissors

Measuring tape

Gauge:

4 rows = 1 inch

4 vertical stitches = 1 inch

Finished project measurements:

5" by 3.5"

Abbreviations:

Chain stitch = ch

Yarn Over = YO

Single Crochet = sc

Directions:

Base Row:

Ch 28.

Starting in the 2^nd chain stitch from the hook, cast on stitches.

Note: Be sure to go through both loops of each ch.

Step 1: (See photo 2)

YO. Pull yarn through 1^st loop on hook. *YO. Pull yarn through next 2 loops on hook. Repeat from * across row. First Cast Off row complete.

Step 2: (See photo 3)

*Insert hook into 1^st vertical stitch. YO. Pull yarn through vertical stitch to add a loop to the hook. Repeat from * in each vertical loop across row. Cast On row complete.

Repeat Steps 1 and 2 32 times. (16 vertical stitches)

Repeat Step 1 to cast off loops. You're almost done!

Finishing row:

*Insert hook into 1^st vertical stitch, as if for Cast On row. YO. Pull yarn through vertical stitch. 2 loops are now on the hook. YO. Pull yarn through both loops on hook for sc stitch. Repeat from * in each vertical stitch across entire row.

Leaving 1.5 yards for sewing, finish off by YO and drawing yarn end through.

Sewing:

With sc row at the top and the flat side of the work facing, fold the piece in half.

Line up the rows.

Note: Be sure to pass the needle through both loops of the fabric's edges, a total of 4 loops per stitch.

(See photo 4)

Using a basic whip stitch, sew up the saver's side seam. Sew the bottom using the same method, being careful not to let the piece curl as you go.

Leaving at least 3 inches of yarn attached, finish off.

Work in loose ends.

Drawstring:

Cut a 1 yard piece of yarn and thread your yarn needle with it.

Find the center of the vertical stitch row at the top, under the sc row.

Pass needle through all the vertical stitches in this row, working all the way around.

Leaving about 5 to 5.5 inches for each end, trim the drawstring. Tie a small, tight knot in the end of each string to prevent the yarn from unraveling.

Finished project shown was made of Peaches & Cream cotton yarn in 'Camel'