Crochet Valentine’s Day Treat Bags

I volunteer as a Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentor at the local elementary school once a week. I wanted to put together a little something for the kids for Valentine's day. 

These little bags are quick and easy to make and they use only a small amount of yarn. I am filling mine with candy, but these would also be great for small toys, stickers, erasers, etc.

Size:

The finished bag is 3 ½” wide and is 4 ½” high. You can easily adjust the size of your bag by changing the hook size, using a different weight of yarn, or increasing the length of the foundation chain.

Needed Materials:

Crochet Hook Size H

Worsted Weight Yarn Main Color – 20 g (bag)

Worsted Weight Yarn Coordinating Color – 5 g (drawstrings and heart)

Tapestry Needle

Gauge: 

4 1/2 sc = 1”

The gauge is not really important for this. I crochet tightly, but this gauge made a 3 ½” x 4 ½” bag.

Bag:

Using the Main Color, Ch 16

2 sc in 2^nd ch from the hook, sc in 13 ch, 2 sc in the last ch. Do not turn. Working on the opposite side of the foundation ch, sc in next 13 ch, join. (30 st) You may want to place a marker on the last sc to help you remember where the round begins.

Row 1: Sc in each sc around. Continue to sc until the bag measures 4” tall or about ½” less than your desired end height.

Drawstring Row: Sl st to join, ch 1, (sc in next sc, ch 2, skip 2 sc) around, join. (10 - ch 2 spaces)

Final Row: Ch 1, (sc in each sc, 2 sc in each ch 2 space) around, join, fasten off.

Drawstring (Make 2):

Using the Coordinating Color, make a chain until it is about 16” long. Fasten off.

Heart:

Using the Coordinating Color, Ch 3

Row 1: (2 dc, 1 hdc) in the 3^rd ch from the hook. Turn. (4 st)

Row 2: Ch 3. 1 dc in each of the (2 dc, 1 hdc), 2 dc into the top of the ch 3. Turn. (6 st)

Row 3: Ch 2. 1 dc in 1^st st, 2dc in next st, sl st in next st, 2 dc in next st, (1dc, 1hdc) in next st, sl st into the top of the ch 3 of row 2.

Fasten off leaving a long tail.

Finishing:

Starting at one side of the bag, weave a drawstring through the ch 2 spaces. Starting at the other side of the bag, weave the other drawstring through the ch 2 spaces. Knot the ends of the drawstrings.

Sew the heart onto the bag using the long tail.

Weave in all ends.

Abbreviations:

Ch = Chain
Dc = Double Crochet
Hdc = Half Double Crochet
Sc = Single Crochet
Sc2tog = Single Crochet Two Together
To make it easier to print, you can download a pdf of the pattern.

Have a happy Valentine's Day! 

Knit Operation Gratitude Scarf

The company that I work for encourages the employees to volunteer. Every month or so, a group of knitters and crocheters choose an organization to make items for. Last month, we made item for Operation Gratitude.

Operation Gratitude sends care packages to Veterans, Wounded Warriors, First Responders, and U.S. Service Members that are deployed overseas. They accept many different types of donations, including hand-made scarves and hats.

I decided to make a textured diagonal scarf. This pattern is very simple, yet looks nice. Operation Gratitude accepts any pattern, as long as it is 5"-6" wide and about 48" long. They also prefer subtle colors.

If you would like to learn more about Operation Gratitude or how you can help, be sure to check out the website operationgratitude.com. If you are interested in making a knit or crocheted item, be sure to check out their specific requirements.

If you want to see more of my other knitting and crocheting projects, check out my Ravelry project page.

End of the School Year Student and Volunteer Gifts

I volunteer as a Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentor at the local elementary school once a week. Tomorrow is our last day of Mentoring for this school year.

I put together a small gift for each of the kids in the program, as well as a gift for each adult Mentor. I needed 24 of these, so I needed them to be inexpensive, but still look cute.

For each of the kids, I took an individual package of Goldfish Crackers, a Kool-Aid Kool Burst, and a crazy straw.

I then made a little tag for each and attached it to the straw. The tag that I made says, "It's oFISHally summer. I hope it's CRAZY and KOOL!"

I put everything in a cute little cup. I think they turned out pretty cute and they cost less than $1.00 each to make! I hope the kids like them!

I also wanted to give something small to each of the other Mentors to show my appreciation for them participating in the program.

I bought some individual-sized Chips Ahoy cookies.

I made a tag that says, "Thanks for Chippin' in this year!"

I just used a piece of double-sided tape to attach it to the package.

These were extremely easy to make and they cost me only $.40 each to make. I like how they turned out and I hope the Mentors know that I appreciate them.

BBBS Bowling

Yesterday, a group of Big Brothers Big Sisters matches got together and went bowling.

While most of our scores were pretty low (I'm happy if I break 50), we all had a great time!

Check out all the fun we had in this Smilebox.

If you are interested in becoming a positive role model in the life of a child or if you would like to refer a child to the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, please visit Big Brothers Big Sisters to find a local agency near you.

Jig It!

Yesterday, I faced the cold and helped out at the 8th Annual Jig-It Fishing Tournament in Escanaba. The proceeds benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area. The events included the Fishing Tournament, a Kid's Koop, Raffles, Food, Music, Prizes, and Fun. Although it was extremely cold out, there was a great turn-out, quite a few fish were caught, and one lucky fisherman went home with a $2,000 prize!

My Little Sister came along with me to help. She has been my Little since April of 2013. We do many different activities together including going to parks, ice skating, roller skating, bowling, watching movies, building things, doing homework, doing community service, going out to eat, and just hanging out. She's a great kid and we always have a great time together no matter what we are doing.

My Little and I at the Jig-It Fishing Tournament

Prior to her, I had another Little for 7 years. When she graduated High School last year and went on to college, I started with my new Little. I also participate in the school Mentoring program. Once a week, I go to the local school and spend time with my Little there. We spend a half hour doing homework and then the next half hour we play games, go outside, read, whatever the kids want to do.

The Big Brothers Big Sisters program is truly a great program and it does make a difference in the lives of both the Littles and the Bigs. For more information on becoming a Big or referring a child as a Little, please visit the BBBS website.