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Mermaid Soap Saver Bag


*When shopping using some of the links provided below, I may benefit from it. I am not paid to advertise these products, I just truly believe in them and the company. 

I've recentlly decided to #giveupthebottle and start using bars of soap instead of liquid soap in plastic bottles! When I started researching shampoo, conditioner, and soap bars, one thing became clear - a soap saver bag was necessary to extend the life of my bars. I thought to myself, why buy one when I can just make one?

Plastic production has nearly doubled in the last 50 years. Did you know that 18 million pounds of plastic ends up in the ocean every year? Research predicts that there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish by 2050. Only 9% of plastic is recycled. Product packaging accounts for about 40% of plastic usage. This plastic never goes away because it is not biodegradable. It may break down into smaller pieces called microplastics, which human and sea creatures then injest. Humans consume an average of 40 pounds of plastic in their lifetime.

I found a company called Ethique that produces cruelty free, plastic free products like soap, shampoo, and conditioner bars. They also have other beauty care products like face wash, face moisturizer, lip balm, and more. I have used their soap bars, face scrub, and face moisturizer and love them! I can't wait to finish my bottle of shampoo and conditioner so I can try out their shampoo and conditioner bars. Shop Ethique products here! Of course, this is just one of many companies trying to get consumers away from plastic products - there are tons of other companies to choose from when purchasing soap bars!

Save the planet by cutting out at least some of your plastic use and #giveupthebottle! You don't have to be perfect, but every little bit helps! I have found that making small changes every once in a while to my consumption habits has made my changes sustainable. I hope you'll join me on this journey and help repair the planet that gives us life!


PATTERN

Materials

(4) US 7/4.5 mm double-pointed needles
38 yds of 100% cotton yarn, worsted weight
Darning needle

Measurements

Gauge: 8 sts = 2"
5" x 5"
10" circumference

Abbreviations

K = knit
P = purl
YO = yarn over
*...* = repeat between "*"

Pattern

Cast-on 42 stitches, and join in the round. Or cast-on the required number of stitches needed to obtain your circumference.

Round 1: P all
Round 2: K all
Round 3: P all
Round 4: *K1, YO*
Round 5: *K1, drop YO from needle*

Repeat rounds 1-5 another 4 times for a total of 5 times (25 rows). Or repeat rounds 1-5 until desired length is reached.

Finishing Rounds:

Round 1: P all
Round 2: K all
Round 3: P all
Round 4: K all
Round 5: P all

Finish by dividing stitches between 2 needles. Flip inside out. Cast-off using 3 needle bind off.

Cut (2) 14in. strings. Weave in through the top dropped yarn overs to create two draw strings. Weave in one string starting on one side, and weave in the second string on the opposite side.

Enjoy your protected soap!

Let me see your finished soap saver bags! Use the hashtag #mermaidsoapsaver and tag me (@knitting_with_sara) on Instagram, so I can see them!

Happy knitting!

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