Loom-Woven Soap Saver Bag: A Beginner's Crochet Project

Crocheting a soap saver bag is a fun and sustainable project that can help you get the most out of your bar soap. Not only does it prevent soap wastage by allowing you to use up small leftover pieces, but it also helps to reduce the goop that collects in your soap dish. In this guide, we will be using a loom to create a soap saver bag, which can be a great way to upcycle any leftover yarn from previous projects.

Choosing the right yarn

When choosing the right yarn for your crocheted soap saver bag, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, the type of yarn you choose will depend on the specific qualities you want your bag to have. For example, if you want your bag to be durable and able to withstand repeated washings, cotton yarn or a cotton-blend yarn is a good option. Cotton yarn is also a good choice if you want your bag to dry quickly, as it is more absorbent than other types of yarn. In addition, cotton yarn can create a nice texture that helps with lather and scrub. Linen yarn is another option that will give your bag durability, and it also becomes softer with use. If you want to create a more exfoliating texture, you can experiment with rougher yarns such as hemp or sisal.

Another factor to consider when choosing your yarn is the weight of the yarn. Heavier weight yarns will allow you to crochet your bag more quickly, but they may not be the most practical choice as they will take longer to dry when wet. Thinner yarns, on the other hand, will help your bag dry faster but may require more time and effort to crochet.

Finally, you can also choose to use leftover yarn from other projects or purchase affordable yarn from a charity shop. This is a great way to save money and ensure that your project is environmentally friendly by reducing waste.

Basic stitches

The first basic stitch you'll need to know is the chain stitch. This stitch creates a foundation for your project and is used to start most crochet patterns. To make a chain stitch, simply yarn over your hook and pull the yarn through the loop on your hook. Repeat this process until you have the desired number of chain stitches.

Once you have your foundation, you can start working on the soap saver bag's body. The most common stitch used for this project is the single crochet stitch. To do this, insert your hook into the first stitch of the previous row, yarn over, and pull the yarn through the stitch. You will now have two loops on your hook. Yarn over again and pull the yarn through both loops to complete the single crochet stitch. Repeat this process across the row.

Another basic stitch used in soap saver bag patterns is the double crochet stitch. This stitch creates a taller, looser structure than the single crochet stitch, allowing your soap saver bag to dry more quickly after use. To make a double crochet stitch, yarn over your hook, insert it into the first stitch, yarn over again, and pull the yarn through the stitch. You will now have three loops on your hook. Yarn over one more time and pull the yarn through the first two loops. You will still have two loops on your hook. Yarn over again and pull the yarn through both loops to complete the double crochet stitch.

If you want to create a more open and airy soap saver bag, you can incorporate chain spaces into your pattern. To do this, chain one or more stitches at the beginning of a row, skip the next stitch, and continue with your chosen stitch pattern. This creates spaces between the stitches, giving your bag a lacier look and allowing for better air circulation.

Finally, you'll need to know how to finish off your project. To do this, cut your yarn, leaving a tail of a few inches. Pull the tail through the loop on your hook and tighten it. Use a yarn needle to weave the tail back into your work, securing any ends.

With these basic stitches and techniques, you'll be well on your way to crocheting a functional and stylish soap saver bag using a loom. Remember to practice each stitch until you feel comfortable with it, and don't be afraid to experiment with different stitch patterns to create a unique and personalized soap saver bag.

Creating the bottom of the bag

Once you have the desired number of chain stitches, you will use a single crochet stitch to crochet 3 rows. This will create a rectangle that forms the base of your soap saver bag. At the end of the third row, insert your crochet hook into the first stitch of the first row and pull the yarn through. Make a single crochet stitch and continue down the first row. This will create the bottom of your bag and allow you to crochet in a round.

Now that you have the bottom of your bag, you can start crocheting the body. Simply continue using the single crochet stitch until your bag is a few rows longer than your bar of soap. This will ensure that you can easily place your soap inside the bag.

Crocheting the body

Now that you have created the base of your soap saver bag, it is time to work on the sides. Using the same single crochet stitch, continue crocheting until your bag is a few rows longer than your bar of soap. This will ensure that you can easily place the soap inside. Remember, you want the bag to be rather loose, so it is better to go bigger than smaller.

If you are using a different type of stitch, such as the one described in the "Crochet Soap Saver Pattern" tutorial, simply follow the instructions for that particular stitch. The goal is to create a bag that is tall enough to hold your soap comfortably.

Once you have reached the desired height, finish off the body of the bag by cutting the yarn, leaving a good amount of tail to weave in the ends. You can use a yarn needle to weave in the ends and secure them neatly.

Now that the body of your soap saver bag is complete, you can move on to creating the drawstring or cord. This will allow you to close the bag and hang it up in your shower or bathroom.

Making the drawstring

Now that you have your crocheted soap saver bag, it's time to make the drawstring.

To make the drawstring, you will need to use the chain stitch. The length of the drawstring will depend on the size of your bag. As a general rule, you will need a little more than twice as many stitches as you cast on for the body of the bag. So, if you cast on 15 stitches for the body, you should aim for around 30-35 stitches for the drawstring. Once you have reached your desired length, simply cut off the end of the yarn and pull it through the final loop to secure it.

Now it's time to attach the drawstring to your bag. Take the cut end of your drawstring and insert it into a darning needle. The body of your bag will have small holes all around it, about three rows from the top. You can insert the darning needle into these holes, going all the way around the bag. Try to go into every other hole to ensure the drawstring is secure. Gently pull the drawstring through, and then tie the ends together.

And there you have it! Your very own crocheted soap saver bag with a drawstring. You can now hang your bag from a hook in the shower or by the kitchen sink, ready to use with your favourite bar of soap.

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