Free Pattern: Scallop Seashell Soap Saver

  If you're making the Scallop Seashell Washcloths, you might enjoy this matching soap saver. This little mesh pouch uses chain stitches to stretch that last bit of yarn, but the cute little raised seashell motif makes it the perfect compliment to the washcloths. Use the remainder of your yarn from creating two washcloths to complete the set.

  With a finished length of 3 1/2" (9 cm) and a circumference of 7" (18 cm), this pouch looks a little small at first! This combination of chains, post stitches, and double crochet pulls out of shape easily but will stretch to fit an average bar of soap.

   You may find the placement of the basic double crochet a bit strange when working the motif in Round 5. With so many step by step pictures, I had to make a separate post for it, but you can find a tutorial for help! Click here for tutorial.

Skill level:

Materials:
Worsted weight (4) cotton yarn
- I used Peaches & Creme in Pastel Delight
Crochet hook size I/9 - 5.50MM
Smaller hook or needle to weave in ends
Stitch markers (optional)




Gauge:
In 4" by 4" (10 cm by 10 cm) -
14 dc in 7 rows

-or- 1st row of pattern = 2" (5 cm) across




Notes:
Chains at beginning of rows counts as a stitch and a chain. (example: Ch 4 = chain 3 for a double crochet, + chain 1)

Need help with the stitch placement of the raised motif? Check out this post for a tutorial!

This pattern will use up all the yarn left from making two washcloths. The yarn used comes in 95 yard (86 M) balls, and I had absolutely no scraps left after making this soap saver.

*If you're using a different brand, you should be fine if it comes in a 95 yd (86 M) ball or bigger.




Stitches and abbreviations:
Chain (ch)
Slip stitch (sl st)
Single crochet (sc)
Double crochet (dc)

Front post double crochet (fpdc)


Begin/beginning (beg)
Space/s (sp/s)




Directions:

*Remember to check out the Round 5 tutorial if you need help!

Round 1:
Ch 4, dc in farthest ch from hook. Ch 1, make (dc, ch 3, dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1, dc) in same st. Ch 3, join with a sl st in beg ch-3.

Round 2:
Ch 4, fpdc in the next dc. *Ch 1, dc in next dc. Ch 3,* dc in next dc. Ch 1, fpdc in next dc, repeat from * to *. Join with a sl st to beg ch-3.

Round 3:
Ch 4, fpdc in next fpdc. *Ch 1, dc in next dc, ch 4,* dc in next. Ch 1, fpdc in next fpdc, repeat from * to *. Join with a sl st to beg ch-3.

Round 4:
Repeat Round 3.

Round 5:
Ch 4, fpdc in next fpdc. Ch 1, dc in next dc. Ch 1, dc in ch-2 sp of Round 2. Dc in ch-4 sp of Round 3, dc over ch-4 sps of Rounds 3 and 4. Ch 1, dc in ch-4 sp of Round 4. Ch 1, dc over ch-4 sps of Rounds 3 and 4, dc in ch-4 of Round 3. Dc in ch-3 sp of Round 2. Ch 1, dc in next dc. Ch 1, fpdc in next fpdc, ch 1, dc in next dc. Ch 4, join with a sl st to beg ch-3.

Round 6:
Ch 4, fpdc in next fpdc  Ch 1, dc in next dc. Ch 1, dc in ch-1 sp. Sl st in ch-1 sp before middle dc of motif, ch 1, sl st in ch-1 sp. Dc in next ch-1, ch 1, dc in next dc. Ch 1, fpdc in next fpdc, ch 1, dc in next dc, ch 4. Join with a sl st to beg ch-3.

Round 7:
Repeat Round 3.

Round 8:
Ch 2, *sc in next dc, (ch 1, sc) twice in ch-4 sp.* 1 sc in next dc, ch 1. Repeat from * to *. Join with a sl st to beg ch-1.


Bind off, weave in ends.

For drawstring and loop:


Do you have enough yarn left? It looks close! This is what I have:

Ch 20.

Weave tail end of chain back and forth through ch-1 sps of Round 8 (try to keep chain from twisting):

Begin by inserting tail from front to back in ch-1 sp above fpdc.

Pull the tail out through the next ch-1 sp, continue weaving back and forth to the ch-1 sp before start. The tail should exit towards the outside just as the working end does. Join with a sl st in beg ch.

Ch 30.

Join in sl st just made (stitch above the "Y").

Bind off, follow stitches to weave in ends.

Fit over a bar of soap and tighten drawstring to block into shape. 

Happy Crocheting!