Learn How To Crochet
Tapestry Crochet Necklace Pouch
By Carol Ventura
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This project will introduce you to some basic tapestry crochet techniques. For more complete instructions, look at my books, Tapestry Crochet or More Tapestry Crochet. The base is crocheted first, then the rounds move upwards to form the walls. The motif is six stitches wide, so the total number of stitches in the base is a multiple of six. It is possible to make a larger pouch with the same design motif simply by increasing the size of the chain by six stitches. Feel free to substitute another motif, just be sure that the total number of stitches in the chain is a multiple of the number of stitches in your motif. Any type of thread or yarn can be used for tapestry crochet. This pouch was crocheted with mercerized cotton thread, but feel free to substitute another thread or yarn. |
Finished Size: 1 3/4” wide by 2 1/4”
high (not including the strap).
Materials: red and white size 3 J. & P. Coats Speed-Cro-Sheen
(or a substitute); a safety pin or a piece of thread of a contrasting
color for counting the rounds.
Hook: Steel crochet hook size 1 or size that will give an
acceptable gauge.
Gauge: 7 1/2 stitches equals 1 inch, 6 1/2 rows equals 1
inch (although I crochet with a tight gauge, a looser gauge is all
right, as long as it is consistent).
Round 1: Starting with red,
make a slip knot (leaving a three-inch tail), then chain 12. Increase
in multiples of 6 chain stitches at this point to make a wider pouch.
Starting with the second chain, single crochet 11 stitches. Single
crochet 2 more stitches into the last chain for a total of 13 stitches.
Continue to single crochet using the new top of the chain until
you come around to the first stitch, carrying the “tail” as you go. Single crochet 2 stitches into the
last stitch. This first round should have a total of 24 stitches.
This piece is worked as a spiral, not in concentric rings, so it
is difficult to tell where each round ends. To keep track of where
each round ends, slip a
safety pin or stitch marker into the top of the last stitch of the
round or lay a two inch piece of thread of a contrasting color across
the path of the last stitch. You will remove the safety pin or stitch
marker from the last stitch as you come to it again and slip it
into the new last stitch or cross the path of the last stitch with
the end of the counting thread at the end of each round.
Round 2: Cut the red tail flush and then start to carry the
white thread. Single crochet around without any increases, carrying
the white thread. The pouch should still have 24 stitches when you
finish this round. Turn the pouch inside out (to make it right side
out).
These illustrations are for right-handed crocheters.
Left-handed crocheters should look at these illustrations in a mirror.
Round 3: You will begin to tapestry crochet
the motif in this round. Remember, that to do a tapestry crochet
stitch, colors are switched while 2 loops are still on the hook;
yarn over with the white and pull it through the loops of the last
stitch of the previous round to prepare for the tapestry crochet
stitch. Rounds 3 through 7 correspond to the illustrated motif (read
from right to left and bottom to top). Start the pattern as follows:
tapestry crochet 1 white stitch, then 5 red stitches. Repeat this
sequence 3 more times. As you tapestry crochet each stitch, the
hook should point toward the inside of the pouch. Every once in
a while, untwist the threads by holding the pouch up in the air
with one of the threads while pulling on the other thread. Let the
piece spin around in the air so that the threads untangle.
Round 4: Tapestry crochet 2 white stitches, then 4 red stitches.
Repeat this sequence 3 more times.
Round 5: Tapestry crochet 3 white stitches, then 3 red stitches.
Repeat this sequence 3 more times.
Round 6: Tapestry crochet 4 white stitches, then 2 red stitches.
Repeat this sequence 3 more times.
Round 7: Tapestry crochet 5 white stitches, then 1 red stitch.
Repeat this sequence 3 more times.
Repeat rounds 3 through 7.
Last Round: Continue to carry the red thread. Crochet around
with white. Cut the red thread flush at the end of the round. Single
crochet 4 stitches with white to bring it to the side of the pouch.
To Finish: Crochet a chain as long as you want the necklace
to be (this necklace has 135 chain stitches). Attach the chain to
the other side of the pouch with a single crochet stitch, slip stitch,
cut the white thread (leaving a 6 inch tail), yarn over and pull
it all the way through the loop. Work in the end for 1 inch to secure
it, then trim it off. Block the pouch with a steam iron. Now it’s
time for you to show off your necklace and teach a friend how to
make one!