Evil genius, mad scientist, or, just a crafter obsessed with yarn and 3D printing?

If you’re like me, most great ideas come from imbibing copious amounts of caffeine or sitting in a hot bath for a longer period of time than my water bill or skin would like.  During my recent think-tank tub session, I wondered if I could utilize my 3d printer for yarn work applications; designing functional items other than hooks, needles, and notions.

A few months ago, a friend of mine asked for a beautiful bag made from a Ravelry pattern she obsessed over.  It’s a great bag that she loves, but, it is not something that may be able to withstand extended daily use. It lacked structure and looked like it was begging for that pesky blue pill to see the day through.

Her birthday is coming up and while this bag is one of her favorites, I wondered if I was capable of creating something that could withstand toddlers and day to day use.  

Crocheting structured projects like baskets, bags, and totes requires a sturdy base to maintain shape and durability. Sure, you could crochet a base organically but it may not provide the ability to hold weight over time without bowing or damage.  You could also purchase one from Amazon, Etsy, or Alibaba but oftentimes these are one size fit all or limited to basic shapes and sizes.  I like versatility and an ability to design without limitations.  

ENTER 3D PRINTING

Why would you ever want to use a plastic on a bag?  

A solid base is essential for crocheted items that need to hold their shape, such as baskets or purses. Here’s why 3d printing is a game changer:

•  Durability: Made from strong materials, these templates can handle the tension of crocheting and the weight of items in the finished project.

•  Customizability: They can be tailored to any size or shape, ensuring a perfect fit for your project.

•  Versatility: Offering multiple shapes—like rectangles, circles, or even hexagons—opens up endless creative possibilities.

•  Ease of Use: Pre-drilled holes along the edges make it simple to crochet directly onto the template, saving time and ensuring consistency.

CURRENT PROJECTS

I’ve been working on several plate templates in various shapes and sizes that would allow even stitches at the base like the standard leather versions. Unlike like the leather predecessors, the 3d plates are made with oval shaped holes instead of circles.  The thought process  behind this is that crochet tips are not circular; they are tapered at an angle that an oval would be better to navigate and provide more room to manipulate your stitches over the rigid plate. 

I started with a rectangle where most purse bases start. In some prints, the holes didn’t line up leading to puckering.

After several test prints, trial and error, navigating structure and plate integrity while maintaining the number of holes needed to create even fabric, I started to see positive results.

My current project is a 7X4X6 bag.  While my 3d printer was already warmed up, I created a removable insert that will sit on top of the printed base.  

I am currently printing a larger insert that removes the sectioning as it only provided 2 inches of usable space on either side of the divider.  While your wallet would probably fit, your hands may not like having to squeeze to grab your car keys ;). 

Our current state is in a holding pattern here: 

As you can see the insert is snug, makes the bag rigid, and allows for less yarn/fiber usage because the structure is provided by the 3d print. 

I am currently testing adhesives that will allow me to cover the inserts for more customization.  While these inserts cannot go into a washing machine, they can be spot cleaned and protected with scotchguard to prevent staining.  It can also prevent mishaps with pens, pencils, and items poking through your purse unlike cloth linings. 

DOWNSIDES?

1.) It will make your project a little heavier if you’re using the base for a bag.

Positive: It makes your crocheted baskets able to hold more weight.  If you create a complimentary insert, you can actually use your baskets as flower pots and save a trip to the gardening department. 

2.) If you alter the files to remove the rounded corners, the base will poke through the crochet stitches and made take out an eye if a wayward toddler comes running.

I already encountered this during testing phases (not with the toddler but my elbow).  I’ve fixed the squared corners to prevent you from becoming Squint’s twin.

3.) You will have to wash the item in cold water.  While it may withstand a delicate cycle, putting it in the dryer would not be advised.  It may melt in your dryer if the heat is high enough.  This will also warp the plate and you’d end up with a Picasso bag.  If you’re going for a new art genre go for it, but it would make the bag dysfunctional at best and may cause issue for your dryer. 

4. Prints can take a couple of hours.  

On a bright side, if you have a larger printer, you can print multiple bases of various sizes to save time.

FILE AVAILABILITY

At present, I have created .stl files for rectangles, circles, squares, ovals, circles, and triangles.  I am working on stars, hexagons, and other fun shapes.  Once all of the kinks have been ironed out, these files, with detailed instructions, will be available for purchase on our site.  You’ll be free to use the file after purchase to make your creations but will not able to resell the files themselves 

I will keep you posted on progress :) 

Kat