Free Crochet Pattern - Plarn Laundry Caddy

Anyone who has ever lived in an apartment or other place that has no in-unit laundry can attest that lugging a full hamper to the laundry room/laundromat while juggling the detergent bottle and other things like coins and dryer sheets is a royal pain. What we wouldn't give for somewhere convenient to put those things so we can focus on the heavy hamper... Well, look no further for a solution, fellow laundry-luggers! This little Plarn Laundry Caddy will give you a designated space perfect for a 40-60oz detergent bottle, as well as a bit of extra room to slip in your coin pouch or dryer sheets, all without taking up space in your hamper. The pouch is also a great place to stash your clean socks or undergarments on the way back home, and when not in use you can just leave the pouch attached to the hamper until it's time to do laundry again.

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Difficulty:

• Easy to intermediate

Materials:

• Written for plarn cut 1-1¼" wide, but can use any stiff worsted weight (size 4) poly/nylon cord or cotton yarn. Uses about 80-90 plastic grocery bags at 10-11 strips each. See my plarn tutorial for instructions on how to make plarn.
• Size H (5mm) hook, or hook size to match gauge
• Yarn needle
• Stitch markers

Gauge:

• Approx. 17sts x 18 rows = 4" in sc

Finished size:

• Approx. 8" x 4" x 8", plus attachment flap (~8" long). Will fit a variety of sizes of hamper, as long as it has ventilation holes to tie into within 6-7" of top edge. The pocket holds about a 40-60oz bottle of laundry detergent.

Terminology:

• blsc - back loop single crochet
• fsc - foundation single crochet
• st, sts - stitch/stitches
• standing sc - standing single crochet
• ch - chain
• sc - single crochet

Pattern notes:

• If you need to know what plarn is or how to make it, visit my plarn tutorial.
• "Turn" includes turning chain (ch 1) throughout.
• In row 101: Foundation single crochet normally starts with a ch 2 when using it for the foundation row of a piece. In this row, eliminate the ch 2 at the beginning and instead create your first fsc in the same st as previous blsc.

Laundry Caddy

Ties (make 2):

Ch 64. Fasten off. (approx. 18" long)

Body:

Foundation: Join new strand w/standing sc in 30th st from end of first Tie. Sc in each of next 3 chs. Ch 32. Sc in 30th st from end of second Tie and in each of next 3 chs. Turn. (8 sc, 32 ch = 40 sts)

Row 1-80: Sc in each st across. Turn. (40 sts)

Row 81: Blsc in each st across. Turn. (40 sts)

Rows 82-99: Sc in each st across. Turn. (40 sts)

Row 100: Sc in each st across. Ch 20. Turn. (40 sc + 20 ch = 60 sts)

Row 101: Blsc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch and sc across. Do not turn. Fsc for 19 sts (see pattern

notes), turn. (78 sts)

Rows 102-140: Sc in each st across. Turn. At end of last row you may either fasten off, or ch 1 and

continue to Construction steps. (78 sts)

Construction and How to Attach:

1. With the unused front loops of Rows 81 and 101 ("creases") facing down, lay your piece flat. Place stitch markers at Row 40 on both edges.
2. Fold both of these creases up at 90 degrees to form the back, front, and base of the bag, the top edges of the front lining up with the stitch markers. You may choose to use the stitch markers like pins to keep things lined up. The "wings" of Rows 101-140 form the sides of the bag, so also fold/bend those at 90 degrees towards the back and base until edges meet. 
3. Sew or crochet these edges together on both sides to form the final pouch shape, weave in any ends, and you're ready to attach it to your hamper!

Flip the free end with the ties over the top edge and into the hamper. Find some ventilation holes close to the top, stick each end of each tie through neighboring holes, and tie the ends together in bows on the outside of the hamper under the back of the free-hanging pouch. Tuck your laundry detergent container inside and go!

*Do not repost my patterns elsewhere without my permission, for free or profit. You are welcome to post what you make from them online, but please link back to the associated pattern page. Thank you for your cooperation, and happy hooking!*