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Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Lip Balm Keychain!


I used to work for a soap store.  They sold all sorts of bath products, lotions, and fresh facial masks.  The perfume scents were overwhelming, especially in the back, where I counted out registers and wrote up reports.  I know, it sounds like I didn't enjoy it, but I did.  I love working retail.  I love helping customers.  It was delightful.

Our shop was in a high-profile area, and all of the products had to be reviewed and approved by the management company that ran the shopping, uh, district.  I'm purposefully trying to be vague, by the way.  For the purposes of this story, you just need to know that everything that we sold had to be labeled with our company's brand.  Which meant that we re-wrapped several products from very well known companies.

My favorite was "our" lip balm. Actually, it was a lot of people's favorite product in our store.  It was super expensive, but it always sold out so quickly we couldn't keep it in stock.  Jake and I became obsessed.  But we knew that when the little soap shop was out of stock, we could just go to Target and pick up a two-pack of Burt's Bees lip balm for the same price.  And, truthfully, "our" lip balm was just a re-wrap of the Burt's Bees product anyway.

Anyhoo, we're still obsessed with that lip balm (it's the only one that Jake will use), although I've come back around to the Bonne Bell Lip Smackers, since the fun flavors are Mims Motivators (meaning: she will listen to me and do what I ask when I barter with letting her wear lip balm...).  We don't go through enough of it to get those big honkin' tubes of it (but maybe as a Christmas present... Hmm..) but it's nice to have it handy, especially now since the weather is getting warm and we're spending more time outside.

So, I made a key ring lip balm holder.  I've seen other patterns around, but I wanted something that didn't need a button closure.  I really wanted to put a zipper in it, and I even cut one down to sew into the project, but it just didn't need it.  Simple, in this case, really was best.  And this case is simple, but it is made of win!  I am smitten!  I am enchanted!  I am really, really, really happy with how this turned out!


I made this project two different ways: 'Fancy-Schmancy' and 'Quick and Easy'. I'm going to post the Quick and Easy version here, and offer the 'Fancy-Schmancy' version as a free download on Craftsy.

So, what are you waiting for? Go get your stuff and let's make some keychains!!


The Lip Balm Keychain - Quick and Easy

Supplies:
Size 3 crochet cotton (I used red, white and blue, but you can use any color that makes your heart sing!)
Size D crochet hook
Yarn needle
Key ring

The Holder:
ch 13
R1:  sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each ch sp across, ch 1, turn (12 st)
R2-24: sc in each sc across, ch 1, turn (12 st)
R25: sc in each sc across (12 st)
Fasten off.  Weave in ends.
Re-attach yarn at corner and make 2 rows of sc along each long side (25 st)

The Tab:
ch 13
R1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each ch sp across, ch 1, turn (12 st)
R2-4: sc in each sc across, ch 1, turn (12 st)
R5: sc in each sc across  (12 st)
Fasten off.  Weave in ends.



Assembling the Keychain:

Slide the key ring onto the tab piece.  Whipstitch the bottom edges of the tab together. 

Whipstitch the lower 2" of the holder together, matching stitches along the front to keep the seam even.  Center the stitching, and whipstitch the bottom of the holder closed.



Center the tab piece slightly inside the holder at the top.  Make sure that your whipstitched edge is inside the top edge of the holder piece, so that it will get firmly sewn into place, and it will cover your stitches.  Stitch across the top of the holder, using a running stitch.  Whipstitch the top 1/2" of the holder closed.

Weave in any loose ends that you might have.  Twirl it around on your finger.  Put a tube of lip balm inside it. Take it out. Put it back in again. Nifty!  See, wasn't that fast?  And easy?  Make 5 more, so that you can give them to your girlfriends before you guys set out on your summer-fling-road-trip! Fill them with Lip Smackers and reminisce about your first boyfriend!  Okay, now, seriously, stop fooling around and go put it on your keyring.  Now, young lady, before you lose it, or your daughter absconds with it, and you never see it again.


And send me a post-card from your road-trip travels!

xoxo


30 comments:

  1. well thats just stinking adorable! im always looking for something quick to crochet since i have the attention span of a gnat..oh LOOK SHINEY PHONE making noises! YAY

    ;) thanks :) hope mine turn out this nice!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Amanda! This is the perfect project for you! It's super quick so you'll get it done before you get distraaa.... PRETTY CLOTHES ON THE TV! I want those shoes!

      ;D It's going to turn out great!
      xo Jaime

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  2. Love it! What a super great idea. Great for gifting too! Thank you soooo much for sharing this pattern free. I really appreciate it.

    Jojos from Québec, Canada :) :) :)

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    Replies
    1. Hi Jojos! Thanks for checking it out! They're really fun to make.
      xo Jaime

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  3. What a great pattern. The ladies I work with have seen it and they all want one. I guess I'm going to the nearest craft store for crochet thread and key rings. This is super cute and functional too. Thanks a lot for posting and keep them coming. I can follow a pattern, but designing is beyond me. You rock!!!!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Jani! I think YOU rock! My problem is the exact opposite, I get all involved with modifying patterns as I go, so that when I get done it looks nothing like what it was supposed to... :D
      xo Jaime

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  4. I just learned basic crochet and would love to do this but I don't know how to change colors...or what all the abbreviations are :-(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Toni! This is actually a great basic project! The crochet thread is a little small for a very new beginner, but if you've got a couple of scarves under your crochet belt, I think you're ready!

      Changing colors is pretty easy, here's a great tutorial to show you how most of us do it:
      http://www.planetjune.com/blog/amigurumi-help/changing-colour/ (I adore Planet June!)

      As far as the abbreviations I use, they're standard for every pattern:
      ch - chain stitch
      sc - single crochet
      sp - space
      st - stitch

      I hope this helps! Good luck, and let me know how it goes!!
      xo Jaime

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  5. Um, Ya know what? You COULD also 'modify' this (in size) and use it as a discreet tampon holder. (Cringe with the teeth together smile.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL!!! You know what? That would be really awesome!! I completely agree! Hmm, I may have to make some and try it out... ;D
      xo Jaime

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  6. Thank you for sharing this pattern! My niece is constantly putting on her chap-stick and then she loses it so I'm going to make her a bunch so she stops misplacing them :)

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  7. Hi, Amanda!
    You sound like the best auntie ever! Your niece and I have a lot in common!
    xo Jaime

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  8. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  9. Once again I found a pattern I loved and wanted to use on AllFree Crochet. Lo and behold, it's one of yours! That's, what, four for four? You rock! I now know exactly what I'm making for the staff of the Scout Leader training camp to carry on their staves. PERFECT! And quick, since I have to make 20 of them. ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yay! Four for Four sounds like a victory to me! They crochet up pretty fast, so 20 shouldn't be too difficult. :D
      xo Jaime

      Delete
  10. Did you try to crochet the tab as part of the body of the holder? That way you would only have to fold it over the key ring and sew into place rather than doing it separately. I haven't made one yet, but am going to try to do it in one piece, unless there is some reason not to. Just thought I would ask.

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  11. Sorry, I just published my post as anonymous because I don't know how to publish it with the other selections shown. It is asking for a URL and I don't know what that is. Instead of Anonymous, it should say my name---Evie Martin

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you do try out the pattern the way you were explaining would you post a tutorial video?

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  12. I have several girls who like lip balm and these will be perfect for Christmas!

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  13. Thank you for the pattern. I definitely have to try this!

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  14. Someone already mentioned alternate uses, but I'm thinking a little re-size and this would hold a thumb drive (USB stick, whatever you call them). Sweet little pattern :-).

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  15. What is the difference between the simple and fancy products?

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  16. This is so cute. My kids all use chapstick all the time and are always losing it. This will work for both guys and gals, even little ones. I tried to oprint it off but it would only print the first page, wouldn't let me copy the rest to print. Oh, well, I guess I'll have o do it the old fashioned way with pen and paper. Thanks for sharing this one.

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  17. I have sugar & cream cotton yarn, do I need to use a different hook size? Such a cute pattern, I'm obsessed with chap stick!!

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  18. Can you please tell me the dimensions of this as I am using a diff yarn and hook size?

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  19. I would say that if you're using a different yarn and hook size just make the flat piece so that it's long enough for the chapstick length and wide enough to fit around once it's whipstitched together. Should be hard to figure out. Just keep the lip balm close and keep measuring your piece against that. If you make too many rows just pull one out. Important part is the first row just a tiny bit longer than your lip balm

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  20. I'm going to make the tab right on the main piece

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  22. This is wonderful. I can also put inhaler and it would be great. Thanks!

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