Spring into Spring with Recycled Rag Crochet

Crochet has made a huge comeback over the last few years. And there isn't a crafty girl (or guy) who hasn't either learned how to do it or wished that they could. If you're one of the lucky ones who already knows how to crochet (and living in the Northern Hempisphere where spring is springing up all over) you've probably been wondering, what do I crochet for spring and summer?

If you don't want to limit yourself to yarn items, which can be limited in warmer months - some people even shy away from knit or crochet items, no matter how springy or summery they appear - then perhaps you'd like to try a little something different? Rag crochet is actually not a new concept, and has been used by homemakers for generations to create all sorts of things from outworn items. Today it's new again because recycling is hot, upcycling is even hotter, and anything you can do to help mother Earth is good just about any way you look at it.

Basically anyone who already knows how to crochet can rag crochet. Fabric from unusable or unwanted garments, fabric remnants, or other fabric items are cut into strips, and then crocheted just as you would yarn. How wide you cut your strips depends upon your fabric. Fabric from a shirt might be cut half an inch or so, denim maybe a little narrower. Experiment with what you have and find what works for you. The wider your strips the bigger your hook should be. Now get ready for some fast work up!

But what can you actually make from rag crochet? Anything from fashion accessories to home decor items. To get you started, an extremely fast home item involving very little fabric might be some new drink coasters. Whether square or round, who doesn't use those, particularly in summer. A package of say 4 to 6 in attractive colors tied with a little ribbon makes a great little hostess or housewarming gift as well. Bring some the next time you're invited to a barbecue or to your best friends beach house, and you'll be sure to be welcomed back anytime. Potholders are the next logical progression from drink coasters in size. Just be sure that they are thick enough, and that your stitches are tight so that your fingers don't slip through the little holes while in use. If yours seem like they won't work handling your pots, use them for your pot trivets instead. Next size, how about placemats? These can be used for your kitchen table or even your outdoor patio table setting (if you have one.) Feeling really ambitious and have lots of fabric on hand? Crochet a rag rug. You can make it small to place by the sink or your entryway, or make one as large as an area rug for under your coffee or even kitchen table.

How about some new fabric bowls for your table or storage baskets? Add some straps and some lining (optional), and perhaps a closure, and you've got a fun new handbag. Make it a little more open weave, bigger and deeper, and you're got a great drip dry beach bag. The only limits are your time, imagination, oh, and your fabric stash, of course. And for all of these, assuming your fabric sources have already been machine washed at some point, can probably be popped right into your washing machine should they get a spill. If you're concerned your stitches may unravel, perhaps sew or hot glue your strips together end to end before you crochet them, just to be sure.

Anyone who crochets knows that not only is it a great skill to have, it can be a great form of therapy as well. So why give it up just because we've put our hats and scarves away for now. If you don't know how to crochet, but would like to learn, there are so many ways to do it. Of course I feel the best way is to learn from someone else who crochets, at the knee as it is often called with traditional crafts, because so many were learned in childhood "at the knee" of an adult family member or friend. Learning this way to me is preferable because you can see what the stitcher is doing in 3 dimensions, as well as ask questions as you go. If you don't know someone who crochets, look around for a class. Craft chain stores will often run instructional classes for either a nominal fee or for free, so ask around.

Another way that is closer to the at the knee experience is a video tutorial. Some can be purchased, usually with a kit that contains hooks and yarns. Others can be found for free on the web, either through a web search or searching for crochet on YouTube. The last way to learn would be to purchase an instructional book, pamphlet or magazine. And while many say they learned this way, I personally had trouble with understanding still photographs and the progressions between them. Luckily for me I finally found someone who knew how to crochet, who was more than willing to teach me. And since learning I have had a lot of fun making things for myself, my home, and my family. But because I am primarily someone who sews, crochet and fabric to me seemed like a natural combination, not to mention a practical one. And as someone who also loves to thrift, well, rag crochet for me was just a great fit.