bag lady

Copyright Susan M. Whitlock

MATERIALS: 4 ply yarn (1 skein) color of your choice and small amount of white or cream for the head. Crochet hook in a size E/4. Yarn needle. Elastic thread or rubber band for bottom of skirt. Plastic bread wrappers to cut in 1/2 inch strips to make the little basket that the lady holds in her hands. Fill with plastic grocery bags. One bag will be stuffed into the head and one bag will be stuffed in the top of the lady with one handle stuffed through each arm and then tied to hold the basket (put little pieces of plastic in the basket to make it look like it is also full of bags).

{{HEAD}}: 1: Ch 4, join to form a ring. Ch 1, work 8 sc evenly around circle, join with a sl st to first sc. 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each sc around, join with a sl st to first sc. 3: Ch 1, 1 sc in each sc around, join with a sl st to first sc. (16 sc). 4: Ch 1, *1 sc in each of next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc, around from* to last sc, work 1 sc in last sc, join with a sl st to first sc. 5 through 9: Ch 1, 1 sc in each sc around. (21 sc). 10: Ch 1, *1 sc dec over next 2 sc, 1 sc in each of next 3 sc, around from* to last 4 sc, 1 sc in each of last 4 sc, join. 11: 1 sc dec over next 2 sc, 1 sc in each of next 15 sc, join. (16 sc). 12 through 21: Ch 1, 1 sc in each sc around, join. (16 sc).

RND 1: {{DRESS}} Attach yarn on rnd 12 of head (with top of head toward you). 1 sc through 16 sts around, join with a sl st to the first sc.

RND 2#: Ch 3 ( first dc), 1 dc in the same st {{2 dc}}, 2 dc in each st around, join with a sl st to the top of ch 3. (32 dc)

RND 3: Ch 3 (first dc), 1 dc in the same st, 2 dc in each dc around, join.

RND 4: Ch 3 (first dc), 1 dc in each dc around, join.

RND 5: Ch 3 ( first dc), 1 dc in each of next 17 dc (18 dc counting ch 3); skip next 14 dc; 1 dc in each of next 18 dc; skip 14 dc; join to top of ch 3. The two open parts will be the arms.

RND 6: Ch 3 (first dc), 1 dc in each dc around, join. {{Body Part}} (36 dc)

RND 7: Ch 3 (first dc), 1 dc in each dc around, join.

RND 8: Same as rnd 7.

RND 9: *1 dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc, around from * to end, join.

RND 10: 1 dc in each dc around, join. (54 dc)

RND 11: Same as rnd 10. Work this way through to RND 30. Work one rnd of sc around over an elastic band or a piece of elastic thread that you tie or sew into a circle. For each SLEEVE: Attach yarn toward back side with a Ch 3 (first dc), 1 dc in each dc around (14 dc counting ch 3). Work 8 rnds of 1 dc in each dc around, join. Then Ch 1, 1 sc in each dc around, join. Break off and weave in the end. For the BONNET: 1: Ch 6, join with a sl st to form a ring. Ch 3, 11 dc in the ring. (12 dc counting the first ch 3). 2: Ch 3, turn, 1 dc in the same st, 2 dc in each dc. (24 dc). 3: Ch 1, turn, 1 sc in each dc. 4 through 5: Ch 3, turn, 1 dc in each dc. (24 dc). 6 Ch 21 (tie) sl st back up each st to bonnet; *ch 3, sc in next st across from * to end of bonnet part; ch 21, (tie) sl st back up each st to bonnet again; *Ch 3, sc around next sc of last row across from * to end of bonnet. You can keep adding ch 3 ruffles until you have the thickness of ruffle you want. Then break off and weave in the end.

For the BREAD WRAPPER PLASTIC BAG: Cut a long one half inch strip from a bread wrapper. Just start cutting until you have one long strip from the wrapper and then use it as your yarn. You could also use yarn or string what ever you want will be okay (the picture shows the bag made in yarn to match the dress). 1: Ch 4, join to form a ring. 2: Ch 1, 8 sc in ring, join. 3: Ch 1, 2 sc in each sc around, join. (16 sc). 4: Ch 1, 2 sc in each sc around, join. (32 sc). 5: Ch 1, *2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next sc, around from * to end, join. 6: Ch 1, (In Back Loops Only), *1 sc in next sc, skip next sc, around from * to end, join. 7 through14: Ch 1, 1 sc in each sc around, join. 15: Ch 20 attach to the other side so that the handle will be centered in the middle of the basket. Sl st to the next st, then ch 20 again and attach back to the other side with a sl st and then break off and weave in the end.