If yarn is limited and you need to make a crochet handle, what is the best type of crochet handle you can do without having to blow brain cells? The quick answer is the Crochet Thermal Stitch.
My issue was that the Red Heart Super Saver Craft Kit is fantastic, but when running through the colours, there may not be enough of one colour left to do a straight run of handles at a thickness that makes sense. It forced me to look up stitch options, and I learned something new, too.
Of course, there are other stitches too and changing the yarn from acrylic to cotton is always a good idea.
Usually, crochet tote handles can be double-stranded, but I didn't want a marled look, two yarns of different colours at the same time in use. So I needed the handle's thickness without the option to use two different balls of the same colour. The crochet thermal stitch will thicken and strengthen the work.
Many crochet tote bags out there, and the easiest way to design is to go back and forth in rows. The big chevron bag is an example of a handle done this way. The problem is that the handles will stretch as the stitches are stacked on top of each other to reach the distance. It can cause the bag to look stressed out, and we know people love to overstuff bags.
This type of handle won't work for the limited yarn I have left and I don't want the stretch to ruin the bag.
Learn Something New
Handles on crochet bags are best done lengthwise instead. The Crochet Easy V Bag is an example of lengthwise handles. This is much stronger as the stitches won't stretch as much. It's done in single crochet, but still not as tight as the crochet thermal stitch.
The Crochet Thermal Stitch
The crochet thermal stitches double back on themselves, increasing the thickness and tension of the stitchwork. You can go across lengthwise in any distance and do the thermal stitching.
In my case, knowing I didn't have enough yarn to go across with any one colour, I opted to change the colour, like graphghan work every 22 stitches.
Bag Handle As Shown
Chain 133 with one colour.
1st row: With same colour, ch 1. Thermal stitch across the row. Break colour and turn. 132 stitches.
2nd row: Add new colour and thermal stitch for only 22 stitches. Then add a new colour and do another 22 stitches. You do this same thing going across until 6 colours are done. Turn.
3rd row: Using the colours as you have laid them out. Ch 1. Thermal stitch the first 22 stitches, then switch the colour for another 22 stitches and so on back.
You can go back and forth so the colours are lined up as many times you want.
Last row: Switching back to the first colour you started with. Ch 1. Single crochet using the regular stitch and where you would do the thermal stitch (going through 3 loops total). Continue in this same manner until the end. Fasten off. Weave in ends.
Photographic Tutorial
If you don't want to watch the video. I have a photographic tutorial to follow as well. It uses the example of a crochet dishcloth, which is more durable and practical for this application.
Have you completed this project. Show me!