Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Starling Handbag Video Crochet-A-Long - Episode 1



Episode 1 covers the foundation row and the first row of the Starling Handbag.

Download the Starling Handbag crochet pattern for free.

Learn foundation single crochet (video and photo tutorial).

Here are all of the Starling Crochet-A-Long videos.

I just rediscovered these videos!  I made a TON of them in December.  Many end right in the middle of the hot crochet action with my phone ringing, expletives (usually in German), or the camera turning off because the batteries ran out.  

I thought *all* the videos were in a state of not-so-usefulness, but there are four that are A-OKish.  In this one I make a couple goofy jokes, laugh dumb, my camera makes me sound like a lisper, and I have major stitch marker issues right at the end, but otherwise, it's golden (->>bling<<-).

The upside is that I can publish one a week for the next 4 weeks, which gives me time to make the rest of the videos showing the final steps of making a Starling Handbag.  A race against myself!  Get ready ... get set ... Go!

I hope you enjoy the theme song Andrew wrote for me!  FYI, you can't hear the sparkles at the end of the theme song that I refer to because the camera is about 10 feet from the computer.  Once I get a video editing software (recommendations for the PC, anyone?), you'll hear the sparkles ... oh, yes you will.

Gah!  I just noticed that I called it a Video Tutorial in the snazzy title cards.  I like Video Crochet-A-Long better.  Do you think anyone will notice.  Nah ...
48 Comments (comments are disabled)


GerryH said ...
I've made several Starling Bags and I absolutely love them.
Love making them.
Really enjoyed the Video Crochet-A-Long :^)
Hugs,
Gerry
6/23/2010 1:28 PM

futuregirl replied ...
GerryH ... Thanks!!
6/23/2010 7:04 PM

Audrey said ...
Thanks for sharing the video and the pattern! I finally found time to make one. I am very happy with how it turned out, and it's so perfect for so many things...thank you!
6/23/2010 2:00 PM

futuregirl replied ...
Audrey ... I'm so happy you like the pattern. Yay! :)
6/23/2010 7:04 PM

What a great video! I love that you give useful information in addition to just the explanation of the steps, but not so much or in such a way that it drags on or gets too off-topic.

As for editing software, if all you want to do is plop in movies and/or photos, splice the movies if needed (cutting out any "Scheisses!" etc), add some music (so you don't have to play it on a computer 10 feet away WHILE recording the video) and include some basic titles, subtitles and credits, a great option is Windows Live Movie Maker. Very intuitive, free download...

The same steps mentioned above can also be done on a similar, older editor, Windows Movie Maker (note: no "Live" in the name) but they would require more mouseclicks and non-intuitive interfaces. So in that sense, the Windows Live edition is the "upgrade" it claims to be. BUT you can no longer put titles/subtitles anywhere you want them, or "see" the music (those squiggly lines that show loudness) so you can match your videos/photos to certain parts of the music, or other things that I used to do. For those reasons, I was thrilled to learn that this older version is still downloadable, though it took me a few different search term tries to find it.
6/23/2010 10:56 PM

futuregirl replied ...
karin @ madebyk ... Thank you for the software req!!! And I looked quickly last night and it's already installed on my machine(?!). Now I totally want to put together a blooper reel (there's at least ONE "Scheisses"). Also, thank you very much for the thoughtful review of my video.
6/25/2010 3:08 PM

skhan said ...
YAYyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!! Can't wait to finally start making my own Starling. Thank you Alice!
6/24/2010 7:59 AM

futuregirl replied ...
skhan ... Can't wait to see it!
6/25/2010 3:09 PM

melissa said ...
Now i can understand it better...lol
6/24/2010 11:29 AM

futuregirl replied ...
melissa ... Glad it helps!
6/25/2010 3:09 PM

Laura said ...
Muchas gracias!!! thank you!!!
6/24/2010 2:33 PM

futuregirl replied ...
Laura ... De nada! :)
6/25/2010 3:19 PM

Suzie said ...
This is great! Makes me want to start another starling handbag while following the video.
6/24/2010 3:43 PM

Stacey said ...
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! for posting this video. I understand so much better now. Looking forward to the others in the coming weeks.
6/25/2010 9:28 AM

futuregirl replied ...
Stacey ... Yay! Glad you're liking the video.
6/26/2010 2:59 AM

alessia said ...
I've just downloaded your wonderful starling bag pdf.
Thank you very much for your generous sharing!
6/30/2010 8:40 AM

futuregirl replied ...
alessia ... Yay! Let me know if you have questions. :)
6/30/2010 1:01 PM

Mary said ...
Thank you for the videos...I think they are very helpful! I like your bag a lot and would like to make a few of them for gifts. Have a GREAT rest of the day!!! =0)
7/1/2010 7:38 AM

futuregirl replied ...
Mary ... Thanks for the great comment! :) I'd love to see photos of any Starlings you make if you want to email them to me.
7/1/2010 3:20 PM

Kris said ...
sooopa happy for these videos:) Hoping to have a starling made by summer's end :) Then attempt a gimundo one for next spring woo hoo!:D
7/2/2010 7:19 PM

futuregirl replied ...
Kris ... Yay!
7/8/2010 12:59 PM

Just-in said ...
Wow, thanks for that great pattern and tutorial! I can't wait to make one of my own. Hope I'll find some free time soon :)

Have a great day!
7/22/2010 2:15 PM

My first bag made. Just did the small one and loved it. Will make more I know. It is a very quick make.
3/21/2011 1:13 PM

futuregirl replied ...
Sheilasembroidery ... Just went and checked it out. So cute!
3/28/2011 2:38 AM

Patrice said ...
Just discovered you on Craftsy.com. The handbag is really cool. I'm looking forward to crocheting one. And the videos are very helpful. Thanks!
10/8/2011 2:31 PM

futuregirl replied ...
Patrice ... Yay! I'd love to see your finished bag if you wanna send me a pic. :)
10/9/2011 12:41 AM

Patrice said ...
I'll send you a pic when I finish one :-). I was thinking of using wool and felting it.
10/9/2011 1:50 PM

Nina said ...
Dear Alice,

My name is Nina. I am from Belgrade, Serbia, and I simply adore your blog.
I have a question about starling handbag!

Since I cannot find thick yarn, for hook no 4.5... is it possible to use 100% cotton yarn, for hook 2.5-3.5???
I suppose that the bag will be smaller or not? If I am right how can I change the pattern? For example how much fsc loops do I have to make for a large bag?

Sorry if I made some mistakes in my written English :)
By the way, I am a mom of 3, I discovered crochet few mounths ago and it makes me truly happy!

Thank you in advance for your answer!
I wish you all the best with your projects and blog, I know there are lot of people like me who appreciate your tutorials and work!

All the best from

Nina!
3/2/2012 6:34 AM

futuregirl replied ...
Nina ... Your English is perfect! You can use any yarn or any hook, it doesn't matter. Make a gauge swatch with your yarn and hook, measure it, then compare to the final stitch counts for the small, medium, and large bags to see if they will be the right size for you. To make a bag bigger than the large, add FSC to the beginning row and add rows to the bottom and sides of the bag. It's not science, so just try it out and see how it goes. :)

I would love to see your finished Starling Handbag if you want to send me photos. Thank you!
3/7/2012 7:19 PM

Debbie said ...
I have made your starling bag and absolutely LOVE it! I have gotten SO many great compliments about this bag; both from co-workers and waitresses and store tellers. Thank you so very much for an awesome pattern and tutorial!
3/9/2012 7:56 AM

Debbie said ...
I forgot to give you the link to my post about your handbag: http://stitchmeknot.com/2012/starling-handbag-crochet

I've also added your blog to my "Links". I think all of your tutorials are awesome!
3/9/2012 7:58 AM

futuregirl replied ...
Debbie ... Hi! Thanks for the wonderful comments and the nice things you said in your post! :) I would have left a comment on your blog, but you have to be logged into WordPress to comment and I don't have an account with them. Your Starling looks great! The long strap is a great idea.
3/10/2012 1:47 AM

virna said ...
Hi there!! I discovered your site a few days ago and I'm really "in love" with the starling handbag. I've been trying for 2-3 days to crochet the bottom of small size. I'm not sure if it's turning out allright. Could you post a close photo of the external & internal sides of the bottom, so I could check? :):) MANY MANY THANKS from Greece!!!!
3/16/2012 7:07 AM

futuregirl replied ...
virna ... You can see a great shot of the bottom in this post http://www.futuregirl.com/craft_blog/2010/8/peepshow_19.aspx Also, if you watch the videos, I step you through the whole process.
3/22/2012 11:20 AM

Tannia Rosario-Frank said ...
Well just to jeep you postes on how is the starling bag crocheting . So far Im up to the modele hope to get to the top ha does on nexo weekend, I will post my bag when done on that Flicker photo place, I did madre some stiches change. Did on row in deep purple with star stiches the rest in sc and planning the top stiches and ha does in the sane purple, the reason is that is my daughter favorite color,many Thanksgiving,Tannia
6/12/2012 1:29 PM

Tannia Rosario-Frank said ...
Some mista es on the writing on this pad but will jeep you postes,ok, Tannia
6/12/2012 1:30 PM

kab said ...
I love this bag and the liner and bow are nice touches.
6/19/2012 7:40 PM

Tannia Rosario-Frank said ...
Well Alice Im almost done except for the lining, but I want to send you a few pictures of my crocheting steps with your starling bag, where do I send the pictures, maybe I should wait untill Im done with the lining , right? Well anyway to tell you also a few problems I had because I used those star stiches for the middle and the handles fsc stiches it took me quite a while to learn, Not the many, many times I watched your video and picture tutorial, but, wow! I finally did it! Thank you despite I had so much trouble I like your pretty bag, lets see if I can make one for me, my daughter finds its a beauty.Im thinking what and how to embelish this great work. Will send you a picture of it when is finish.
6/20/2012 5:26 PM

TheCreativeNinja said ...
Hi again futuregirl, I was just wondering can I post some links to your videos and tutorials on my blog?.
8/2/2012 6:34 AM

futuregirl replied ...
TheCreativeNinja ... I love it when people link to my blog! :)
12/2/2012 3:21 PM

Your Starling handbag is so stylish! And this tutorial is a fantastic effort. Thanks for sharing your skills and spreading the lessons to all.
11/26/2012 10:13 PM

Lisha said ...
Hey, I LOVE LOVE LOVE this tutorial! I do have a question for you, or for anyone that is willing to give me their opinion. So: Do you think it is worth getting a "row counter" from Hobby Lobby or anywhere else, so that you can keep up with your rows? Or do you think it is a waist of money? I am sort of torn between getting one vs. not getting one!
3/18/2013 4:22 PM

futuregirl replied ...
Lisha ... Honestly, I think a row counter isn't necessary if you're making things like this purse because there really aren't that many rows to count. On the other hand, I don't trust myself to click it every time, so I would still count the rows by hand even for a big project.

I do use graph paper to track projects and make an X when the row is done. That way I can make notes of things I want to do on certain rows. I totally forget to make an X sometimes ... just the way I'm built, I guess. :)
3/18/2013 11:49 PM

Emily said ...
Hi Alice!
How do you put shoulder straps onto a Starling Handbag? I love your pattern, but I really hate handles that you actually have to carry with your hands. Oh and how do you modify the pattern to make the bag bigger?
7/11/2013 12:58 PM

futuregirl replied ...
Emily ... Hi! While you don't have to enter a website (it's optional), you do have to enter an email address if you want me to answer your questions. :) Feel free to email me directly for help on handles and embiggening the bag. That's way too much to stick in these comments. I'm good people, I promise. You can trust me with your email address. xoxo
7/13/2013 8:25 PM

Shanti said ...
Hi Alice
Thank you for sharing this wonderful pattern which I just came across. Can you please advise on how much yarn is needed for the different sizes. I must be missing it but I just can't seem to find this information anywhere on the site. Please help. Thanks, Shanti
12/4/2013 9:05 PM

futuregirl replied ...
Shanti ... That info is in the pdf of the pattern in the "materials and gauge" section. :)
12/4/2013 10:20 PM
 
Susan said ...
Loved the bag.... made one for a very special friend. Many thanks for the pattern

7/24/2014 11:55 AM