Quick Gifts in April

Need a gift in a hurry? Can't get out to the gift shops?  

If you have a crochet hook and some 4 or 8 ply cotton, 

you can make these little trinket bowls in one afternoon.

Trinket bowls are very handy for collecting small items and odd clutter like keys, jewellery, paper clips, USB sticks, small change, hair ties etc. By crocheting your own, you can make them to the size you like and in colours to match your decor.

I was in such a hurry and so keen to get them done that, in the excitement of gift-giving, I forgot to photograph them before wrapping; luckily cellophane is see-through!

Getting Started

These trinket bowls began life as flat circles, but you can make any kind of flat shape as your base.

To maintain a flat circle, evenly increase the number of stitches in each round.


Turning the Corner

Do not increase but work evenly around the shape, working into either the back loops (BLO) or the front loops only (FLO) for the first round of the side. 

This allows for a neat corner edge where the sides meet the base.  

I haven't decided whether I prefer to working into the front loop or back loop.  In these trinket bowls, I folded the sides so that the spare unworked loops appeared on the outside edge of the bowl.

Experiment with FLO and BLO and folding the sides in different directions to see which is the best effect for your purpose, keeping in mind whether the right side (RS) of the base shape should be on the underside of the bowl or facing up (again, your personal preference).  If the (WS) is facing up, it can be nice to make a fabric lining if time and energy allows.

I had limited time and energy so I decided to line these trinket bowls with chocolate! Little miniature chocolate bars in their shiny wrappers. When the chocolate is all gone, the trinket bowl remains a useful gift and memento.

Working the Side

Complete each round of the side by joining with a slip stitch and then turn to keep a straight seam at the back.  If you do not turn the work at the end of each round, the seam will 'wander' in a diagonal line across the side panel.  Try both methods and compare the effects.

Finishing

For a neat final round, use a wool needle to make an 'invisible join'.
Weave in ends, add a fabric lining (optional), fill with gift item(s) and wrap! I used the leftover yarn to make a twisted cord in the same colours as the trinket bowl (cinnamon brown and apricot with light blue accents). 

I was too hasty with the cord for the brown-coloured bowl and didn't twist it tightly enough before folding.  While it twisted upon itself in the first instance, it did loosen after I had tied it.  

The gifts were received with pleasure and appreciation of the handiwork and I was pleased to have made a unique, personalised gift.

I hope this has been enough information for you to try your own trinket bowls.  If you would like me to post more specific pattern details or a photo of another one (not wrapped in cellophane), please let me know with a comment (below) and I will be happy to share my pattern and make a new trinket bowl to demonstrate. 

Version 1: apricot / light blue

2 strands of 4 ply cotton worked together 
apricot: Super Saver 2 x 4g / strand = 8 grams

1 strand of 8 ply / DK cotton for edging
light blue #5308 = approximately 1 gram

Version 2: cinnamon / light blue

2 strands of 4 ply cotton worked together
soft cinnamon #7000: Milford Soft 2 x 5g / strand = 10 grams

1 strand of 8 ply / DK cotton for edging
light blue #5308 = approximately 1 gram

Useful Links

How to crochet in the round:
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-crochet-in-the-round.html

How to finish a round with an invisible join:

http://mrsmicawber.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/pardon-me-but-your-slip-stitch-is.html

How to make a twisted cord:

http://www.lincraft.com.au/twisted-cord  (Australia)

http://www.crochettoday.com/how-to/how-make-twisted-cord

References

Brittain, Susan & Manthey, Karen, "How to Crochet in the Round", online article, For Dummies website, <www.dummies.com>, John Wiley & Sons, 2014. This article is an extract from the book:

Brittain, Susan, Manthey, Karen & Holetz, Julie,  Crocheting for Dummies, 2nd edition, John Wiley & Sons, 2010, Hoboken, New Jersey, USA.

The first edition of this book was my major reference when I first learned to crochet. It breaks down the stitches and techniques into very basic steps and gives excellent written descriptions with clear diagrams. I highly recommend this book to beginners, especially those who are isolated or have no crochet mentor to demonstrate first-hand. It includes instruction in basic and advanced stitches and techniques, including stitch symbols, colourwork and tricot (Tunisian crochet). This book will provide a solid foundation of crochet skills for the beginning-intermediate crocheter.

This book is published in the USA and uses USA crochet terms. This book's use of stitch symbols helped me to understand that although the stitch names vary across the world, the symbols remain the same. 

Lincraft, "How to Make a Twisted Cord", How-To Project Sheet #987,  <www.lincraft.com.au/twisted-cord>, 60 Fulton Drive, Derrimut 3030 Victoria, Australia.

Lincraft is a chain of craft shops in Australia. Project sheets can be found online and in the shops.

Mr Micawber's Recipe For Happiness, "Pardon Me, but your Slip Stitch is Showing - an Invisible Join Tutorial",  blog article, 26 June 2012, <http://mrsmicawber.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/pardon-me-but-your-slip-stitch-is.html>, 'Mrs Micawber', Wisconsin, USA.

I like the comprehensive nature of this article which includes discussion of stitch counts as well as the joining technique. I am not sure of the official title of this blog - Mr or Mrs Micawber.  The title banner says 'Mr Micawber' but the blog owner introduces herself as 'Mrs Micawber' and the web address uses 'Mrs'. 

Salume, M., "How to Make a Twisted Cord", online article,  25 July 2012, Crochet Today website, <http://www.crochettoday.com/about>, Crochet Today! Magazine, 4000 Shoreline Court, Suite 400, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA.

This article has photographs to demonstrate the technique and support the text. This website supports Crochet Today! magazine and offers its readers information about patterns, tutorials, giveaways, a blog, pattern corrections etc.