Grandpa's Super Storage

For the man who can never remember where he left his glasses or find clean socks! Invented to make Grandpa's life a little easier, this storage pouch is a great project for those who have mastered basic crochet stitches. Worked in one piece with a few simple colour changes, this could be the perfect gift for the man in your life who has everything - if only he could find it!

Skill level: easy

Stitches Used: chain stitch (ch), double crochet (dc), single crochet (sc)

Materials used:

Yarn used: Size 4 (medium) Aran weight (Wool and Acrylic Blend)

1 ball grey (A)

1 ball navy blue (B),

and 1 ball burgundy (C)

Hook size: 5.5 mm

Other: 3 large wooden buttons, yarn needle

Note: To change colour in this project, work the specified stitch until only 2 loops remain on the hook. Drop original colour and with the new colour, yarn over and draw through both loops on the hook. Always leave about 6” of yarn of both colours to weave in later.

Pattern

Base Using A Ch 53

Row 1 Dc in 4th ch from hook and in each remaining ch across (51 sts)

Row 2 Ch 3, sk 1^st dc, dc in next dc and in each remaining dc across to end, turn (51 sts).

Row 3 – Row 9 Repeat Row 2

Row 10 Ch 3, sk 1^st dc, dc in next dc and in each remaining dc across. In last dc change to B. Fasten off A. Turn (51 sts).

Row 11 With B, repeat Row 2

Row 12 Ch 3, sk 1^st dc, dc in next dc and in each remaining dc across. In last dc change to A. Fasten off B. Turn (51 sts).

Row 13 Ch 3, sk 1^st dc, dc in next dc and in each remaining dc across. In last dc change to C. Fasten off A. Turn (51 sts).

Row 14 With C, repeat Row 2

Row 15 Ch 3, sk 1^st dc, dc in next dc and in each remaining dc across. In last dc change to A. Fasten off B. Turn (51 sts).

Row 16-25 With A, repeat Row 2. Fasten off A and weave in tail.

Tabs:

With right side facing, turn project so that the stripes run vertically

Attach 3 tabs evenly spaced.

Slip stitch B to top of project

Row 1 Ch 1, sc in next six spaces, Turn (6 sts)

Row 2 Ch 1, sc in each sc, turn.

Row 3 - 17 Repeat Row 2

Row 18 Ch 1, sc in next 2 sc, ch 2 sk next 2 sc, sc last 2 sc, turn.

Row 19 Ch 1, sc in next 2 sc, sc in each ch st, sc in last 2 sc, turn.

Row 20 Repeat Row 2

Border:

With Right side facing attach C to bottom corner of project. Sc evenly around entire project adjusting for corners, fasten off

Pockets:

Large Pocket

Base Using B Ch 43

Row 1 Dc in 4th ch from hook and in each remaining ch across (41 sts)

Row 2 Ch 3, sk 1^st dc, dc in next dc and in each remaining dc across to end, turn (41 sts).

Row 3 – Row 10 Repeat Row 2

Medium Pockets (1 in B and 1 in C)

BaseUsing B Ch 15

Row 1 Dc in 4th ch from hook and in each remaining ch across (13 sts)

Row 2 Ch 3, sk 1^st dc, dc in next dc and in each remaining dc across to end, turn (13 sts).

Row 3 – Row 10 Repeat Row 2

Long Pocket

BaseUsing C Ch 13

Row 1 Dc in 4th ch from hook and in each remaining ch across (10 sts)

Row 2 Ch 3, sk 1^st dc, dc in next dc and in each remaining dc across to end, turn (10 sts).

Row 3 – Row 13 Repeat Row 2

Small Pockets Make 2

BaseUsing B Ch 13

Row 1 Dc in 4th ch from hook and in each remaining ch across (10 sts)

Row 2 Ch 3, sk 1^st dc, dc in next dc and in each remaining dc across to end, turn (10 sts).

Row 3 – Row 5 Repeat Row 2

Baby Pocket

BaseUsing B Ch 7

Row 1 Dc in 4th ch from hook and in each remaining ch across (5sts)

Row 2 Ch 3, sk 1^st dc, dc in next dc and in each remaining dc across to end, turn (5 sts).

Row 3 – Row 7 Repeat Row 2

Border: With Right side facing attach A to bottom corner of each pocket

Sc evenly around each pocket adjusting for corners, fasten off

Weave in all tails. Assemble pockets and pin in place. Using a yarn needle and the appropriate colour yarn, sew pockets to project. Sew Buttons to top of project and button through button holes in tabs.

Making this project your own:

This is a very versatile project so make it your own. For my father I needed to have a pocket for his glasses, tobacco pouch, filter tips, papers, lighter and socks (those are the kinds of things he can never find!). It is designed to hang on the back of his chair in the kitchen so he always knows where his things are.

If you are going to adapt it, first think about the person you want to make it for and what they might need. Maybe somewhere to keep the remote controls, newspapers or magazines? Or a handy place to stash phone chargers? The possibilities are endless! Consider the following:

• A nursery storage pocket – using baby colours, make three large pockets and sew them down the centre spaced evenly. Now you’ve created the perfect place to store favourite toys.
• Choose a cotton or cotton blend yarn if you want your pockets to hold heavier items as acrylic has a good amount of stretch in it.
• Run a cane through the tabs so that it can be hung from the wall or on the back of a door.
• Using yarn in the school colours, create the perfect back to school present for a college dorm room.
• Make a long journey fun with a place for your child’s favourite books, crayons and toys! Double the size of this project and attach a horizontal strap at the bottom of the organiser to secure to the back of the passenger car seat.
• Add crochet flowers to the pockets or choose bright, pretty colours and this will be a perfect gift for girls of all ages.