Little Green Adventurer Backpack

I received the yarn for this project in exchange for my honest review.  This post contains affiliate links.  This means that if you purchase something after clicking on one of these links I might receive a small commission.  This is no way affects the price that you pay.

When Love Knitting asked if I would be interested in reviewing some of their yarn, of course my answer was yes!  Who's surprised?  No one?

Yarn My middle child's favorite color is green, and it was his turn for some Mama made goodies, so this Main Street Yarns Shiny + Soft in Grass Green was perfect.  It is a 100% acrylic yarn.  It can be machine washed and dried, a huge plus for a kid's item!  The skein had 356 yards, which was a perfect amount for this project, I had only the tiniest amount of leftover yarn.  The yarn worked up quite easily with nice stitch definition.  It is nice and soft right out of the box.  There's a slight sheen, or shininess, to it.

Hook I used my Clover Amour size 7 crochet hook.  This is a little smaller than the recommended hook size of H/5 mm.  I wanted the body of the bag to be rather densely crocheted, to keep all of my little adventurer's finds from escaping.

(Free!) Crochet Pattern

Bag

Chain 26.

Round 1 IN TOP LOOP ONLY Single crochet (sc) in second chain (ch) from hook, and in each of the next 23 chains (24 sc). Work 3 sc in the last chain.  Work back down foundation chain in opposite loop. (23) 3 sc in  last chain. slip stitch to join.

Round 2 Chain 1. (Working in both loops) 2 sc in the first stitch. Sc in next 23sc. 2 sc in each of the next 3 sc. Sc in next 23 stitches.  2sc in each of the next 2 sc. slip stitch to join.

Round 3 2 sc in first sc from previous round.  Sc in next 25. 2sc in next stitch. 1 sc. 2sc in next stitch (at the "end" of the oval). 1 sc in next stitch. 2 sc in next stitch. 25 sc. 2 sc in same stitch. 1 sc. 2 sc in next stitch ("end" of oval). 1 sc. slip stitch to join.

Round 4 2sc in 1st stitch. 28 sc.  2sc in next stitch. 1 sc. 2sc in next stitch (at the "end"). 1 sc in next stitch. 2 sc in next stitch. 28 sc2 sc in same stitch. 1 sc. 2 sc in next stitch ("end"). 1 sc. slip stitch to join.

Round 5 Chain 1. IN TOP LOOP ONLY sc around. Slip stitch to join.

Rounds 6-44 Chain 1. Sc around. Slip stitch to join. (72 stitches total)

Round 44 Chain 1. Sc 4. 32 in back loop (inside the bag) only.  36 sc. slip stitch to join. (Note: the 32 back loop only should be centered along the back of the bag.  Adjust accordingly if needed.  This is where the flap will be added later.)

Round 45 Chain 2. sc around. (72)

Round 46 Slip stitch around.

Flap

Row 1 Single crochet in each of the front loops left from round 44.  (32)

Rows 2-27 Chain 1. Turn. Sc across. (32)

Strap 

Make two.

Chain 7.

Row 1 Sc in second chain from hook.  Sc across. (6)

Rows 2-72 Chain 1. Turn. Sc across. (6)

Button Flaps

Chain 5.

Row 1 Sc in second chain from hook.  Sc across. (4 sc stitches)

Rows 2-12 Chain 1. Turn. Sc across. (4)

Row 13 Chain 1. Turn. 1 sc 2 ch 1 sc. (This forms the button hole.)

Rows 14 & 15  Chain 1. Turn. Sc across. (4)

Finishing Sc evenly around, with three stitches in each corner.

Assembly

Whip stitch the straps to the bag, lining up the edge of the strap with the edge of the flap.

SC around all edges other than the opening.

Whip stitch the button flaps onto the bag flap.

Sew buttons.

Enjoy!

Teaching Time for Toddlers: Our Basic Pool Bag

It's swimming pool season again!  Catherine (almost three) and I love the pool.  Of course, her pool preference is the one that barely reaches my knees in the "deep end" and mine is the 50 meter pool with lap lanes and a diving board.  Like last year, we are trying to take full advantage of our membership.  I swim laps in the early morning and then return to the pool in the late morning or early afternoon with Catherine.

As any parent knows, children bring a certain amount of extra baggage with them.  Additionally, we're constantly bombarded with the message that we need This, and That, and This Other Awesome Thing, and This Thing that You Can't Live Without, because we somehow fail as parents if we don't have everything.

But what do we really need?

Well, today I am just going to talk about Pool Bag Basics (because I can't really talk about anything else--I'm generally one of those people who'd rather pack an extra suitcase than forget something).

Of course, some days I bring a lot of "extras" but most days I try to be pretty minimal about what we take with us, I'm the one that has to lug it around after all.  Keeping an eye on an active toddler is busy enough, without worrying about tons of stuff.

Our Basic Pool Bag contains the following:

• Two Towels 
• Sunscreen
• Hats
• Sunglasses
• Four dollars of "emergency money"
• Goggles
• Measuring cups
• Inflatable ring
• Travel sized bottles of shampoo and body wash
• Drinking water (or water bottles)
• Driver's licence and insurance cards

All of the above items fit very easily and neatly into my tote bag.  I can carry it with ease without ever feeling overloaded.   This bag works for us most of the time.  

"Extras" Include (but are not limited to):

• Cooler with lunch and extra drinks
• Kick-board
• Additional toys
• Umbrella for shade
• "Street clothes"
• Rashguards 
• Magazines
• Extra pair of goggles (I don't like to share my awesome pink bungee cord ones)

We wear flip flops and cover-ups and very rarely actually change into our "street clothes" at the pool.  I've found it easier to just change at home.  Of course, this does mean that I've run last minute errands sporting a "damp" look . . .

The pool has a lot of communal toys, so I'm not depriving Catherine by only allowing a few toys.  Besides, I think that she could spend hours doing various pouring activities with the measuring cups.

How about you?  Do you spend a lot of time at the pool in the summer?  Do you have a Basic Pool Bag?  What is on your list of must haves?

Link up any toddler related post that you'd like to share!  


Thank you so much for visiting!

Beautiful Red Tote Bag/Purse

Some of you might remember the Crafter's Dream Giveaway from a little while ago.  Is anyone curious what the winner chose?  She picked this cute red damask purse.  I am really happy how it turned out, I just hope that she likes it! 

A couple of sewing notes:

I used Simplicity Pattern 2396.

I added quilting batting to the handles.  I think this really helps and will do it again.

I did not add a button (again and for the same reasons as last time).

Win This Bag: Tod's White Leather Shoulder Bag #WinThisBag

Welcome to Week #3 of

Win This Bag
sponsored by HipSwap
hosted by Sidetracked Mom’s Blog

“Win This Bag” is a 6-week event that will feature 6 weekly giveaways.There will be one designer handbag given away every week!Each bag will be an authentic, recognizable designer brand such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Coach, or Fendi.Our 6^th week will feature a highly coveted designer handbag and you will have the option to claim bonus entries for each of the 5 weekly “Win This Bag” giveaways you entered leading up to this grand finale!So, enter each weekly giveaway to increase your odds of winning!

Here’s what really separates this event from any other handbag giveaway you may have seen before… some of these handbags will come to you directly from a celebrity’s closet!That’s right –

Thanks to HipSwap, you have the opportunity to win the exact bag that may have been on the arm of a famous celebrity!

About our Sponsor:

HipSwap is a mobile and web marketplace that connects buyers and sellers locally and nationally. It enables people to discover what’s inside the most fabulous closets, homes, and shops in neighborhoods and cities across America. HipSwap currently offers delivery service in Los Angeles and New York with its iconic pink delivery van.

Now, on to this week’s Giveaway!  Are you excited yet?  

This week, you have the chance to win a Tod’s white leather shoulder handbag supplied by Celebrity Consignment Shop, Encore Closet.

This bag is worth $1425!

This is a 100% guaranteed authentic Tod's White Leather Shoulder Bag Purse Handbag. This Italian beauty is made of white textured calfskin leather and features a single flat leather handle that rests comfortably on your shoulder. Its contrast top stitching gives this sophisticated bag its sassy style. You can always count on Tod's to give us modern luxury and its prestige bags are loved by celebrities everywhere.

Supplied by celebrity consignment shop, Encore Closet.

How to Enter:

1.Create a HipSwap account.You will be asked to enter your name, email and zip code.If you do not live in the United States, please enter your City and Country in the Zip Code field.  (Don't worry, this doesn't take long and it is super-duper easy!)

2.Once registered, you can earn additional entries by:

a.Pinning your favorite HipSwap bag on Pinterest

b.“Liking” HipSwap on Facebook

c.Following @HipSwap on Twitter

d.Tweet with the hashtag #winthisbag for daily bonus entries

e.Following the blogs who are bringing you this awesome giveaway

To be credited, all entries must be completed using the Giveaway Tools widget below.You can complete as many or as few entries as you’d like but remember, the more you do, the better your odds of winning!Plus, once you are following all of your hosts, entering each subsequent weekly Win This Bag Giveaway will be even faster & easier!

Good luck!

Giveaway begins on 7/10/12 at 12:01am EST & ends on 7/16/12 at 11:59pm EST. Open worldwide.

The Giveaway Tools Widget will load below this line. For those of you not familiar with Giveaway Tools, it is VERY similar to Rafflecopter but has been said to be a faster & easier way to enter giveaways. Let me know what you think! As always, thank you for visiting The Philosopher's Wife and entering this giveaway! Good luck! 

HipSwap's Giveaway Event! Win Karina's Spy Bag! #winthisbag

Welcome to Week #1 of

Win This Bag

sponsored by HipSwap

hosted by Sidetracked Mom’s Blog

“Win This Bag” is a 6-week event that will feature 6 weekly giveaways. There will be one designer handbag given away every week! Each bag will be an authentic, recognizable designer brand such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Coach, or Fendi. Our 6th week will feature a highly coveted designer handbag and you will have the option to claim bonus entries for each of the 5 weekly "Win This Bag" giveaways you entered leading up to this grand finale! So, enter each weekly giveaway to increase your odds of winning!

Here’s what really separates this event from any other handbag giveaway you may have seen before… some of these handbags will come to you directly from a celebrity’s closet! That’s right –

Thanks to HipSwap, you have the opportunity to win the exact bag that may have been on the arm of a famous celebrity! 

About our Sponsor:
HipSwap is a mobile and web marketplace that connects buyers and sellers locally and nationally. It enables people to discover what's inside the most fabulous closets, homes, and shops in neighborhoods and cities across America. HipSwap currently offers delivery service in Los Angeles and New York with its iconic pink delivery van.

This week’s prize:

Are you a Dancing With the Stars fan? Are you a fan of Fendi Handbags? Are you mesmerized by champion dancer Karina Smirnoff?  This giveaway extravaganza begins with someone winning Karina's very own Fendi bag. Wouldn't that be an awesome thing to win?

There are additional pictures of the bag that could be yours at the end of this post. Good luck!

How to Enter:

1. Create a HipSwap account. You will be asked to enter your name, email and zip code. If you do not live in the United States, please enter your City and Country in the Zip Code field.

2. Once registered, you can earn additional entries by:

a. Pinning your favorite HipSwap bag on Pinterest

b. “Liking” HipSwap on Facebook

c. Following @HipSwap on Twitter

d. Tweet with the hashtag #winthisbag for daily bonus entries

e. Following the blogs who are bringing you this awesome giveaway

To be credited, all entries must be completed using the Rafflecopter form below. You can complete as many or as few entries as you’d like but remember, the more you do, the better your odds of winning! Plus, once you are following all of your hosts, entering each subsequent weekly Win This Bag Giveaway will be even faster & easier!

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway is open to entrants worldwide 18 years of age or older, except where prohibited by law. No purchase is necessary to enter. Void where prohibited by law. The odds of winning are based on the number of entries received. This promotion is no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook and is Facebook-compliant. To qualify to win, you must complete, at minimum, the mandatory entry on the Rafflecopter form. All entries will be forwarded to our sponsor for the purpose of randomly selecting a winner. Winners will be notified by email from a HipSwap representative. Winners will have 72 hours to respond or risk forfeiting their prize. Prize may re-awarded solely by the Sponsor's discretion. Prize fulfillment is the sole responsibility of the sponsor. This blog may not be held liable for Sponsors who do not fulfill prize shipments. The participating bloggers were not compensated for this post. We reserve the right to publicly publish winners' names and/or likeness. By entering this giveaway, you are agreeing to these terms and conditions.