DIY // How To Crochet Summer Drawstring Bag. Free Crochet Pattern!

Hello there! I've been way too excited to utilize my scrap yarn that was inspired by Caron cakes. This summer bag is a DIY that I'll entirely be recreating for myself! Enjoy!

Ingredients:     

Crochet Hook>> H/8-5.00MM   

Craft Scissors    

Yarn Sewing Needle

Yarn used>>1 Skein I used scrap yarn to emulate a Caron Cake) Comprised of yarn from Caron Simply Soft Medium 4

  

Stitch guide:    

HDC= half double crochet       

SC= single crochet

SS= slip stitch

ST(S)= stitch(es)

CH= chain 

R[number]= Row 

RND= Round

You will be working in rounds to create the bag.

CH 51

Work into the second ST from the Chain.

RND 1-RND 4: SC into all of the STS for all the rounds to increase the oval...Until you reach the last ST then you will SC three times into the final ST. Total of 58 STS by Round 4, increasing by 2 STS.

RND 5: HDC into all of the STS (Repeat this method for the entire Round, connect at the end of the Round and CH 3.)

RND 6-RND 15: DC into the first ST, CH 1, Skip 1 ST, then DC into the following ST.. (Repeat this method for all of the Rounds, connect at the end of the Round and CH 2.)

RND 16: CH 3, skip the first ST to HDC into the following ST, HDC into the following stitches until you hit the opposite side of the oval (Stitch 20) CH 1, Skip 1 ST, then HDC into the remaining STS. SS to complete final work.

To make the chain for the straps. Where you created the skipped space from Round 16. Insert your hook and chain 75 or to desired length. Once chained, insert hook into the opposite sides skipped space from Round 19 to SS to connect. [Pictured Right.]

To create the drawstring for the cinched appearance. Only use a Chain 88 to weave in between spaces created from Round 18. Skip every other space. [Pictured Left to Middle.]

Happy Crafting!
ashlee x.

HandMade: The Crochet Summer Twirl Skirt.

Hello there! This project is from last last weeks', 'On my hook." Granted, it was supposed to be a baby doll dress; however, I scrapped that idea for a fun twirly skirt with an elastic band. This pattern most certainly crept out of nowhere and I couldn't help myself, though the idea to create a baby doll dress is just put on hold for now!

What I love about this skirt, is that it has the movement that I was hoping to create. As well as the lightness that the skirt holds, so it won't feel to heavy during the heat filled summer days. Plus, I'm such a sucker for an elastic waist, they are my absolute favorite material to utilize when I am creating skirts and shorts of the like.

Project Details:
The yarn I used was Caron Simply Soft Yarn, featuring Teal.
The hook I used was a H/8-5.00MM.
The skirt crochet pattern is entirely experimental from my own pattern.

Now I am off to create some more fun crochet ideas and write up this pattern for the future!
ashlee elle.

HandMade: The Everlong Crochet Maxi Dress.

Here is my first project, gearing up for the Spring weather, that is slowly easing our way. From last last's week's, What's on my hook?" I found this fabric at a sale bin at Walmart and I instantly knew exactly what I wanted to create. A crochet and maxi fusion dress, something I have dabbled in, in the early stages of this blog. [Click for memory lane] Definitely something that I plan on creating in different styles and so forth.

The entire dress is hand sewn together, though I do have a sewing machine, I love to do everything from scratch! It's a lot of work, but I love it and it entirely does not feel like it. The style of this dress is a bit more streamlined, the next one will entirely be even more free flowy and all that cool hippie feel style that I dig ever so much!

Project Details:
The yarn I used was Caron Simply Soft Yarn in the color of Autumn Haze.
The hook I used was a J/10-6.00MM.
The pattern was entirely experimental, from a design I sketched.
The fabric was from Walmart.
*Pattern will be available sometime this year!
Note: My headband is from a DIY I created. [click here] 

//ashlee elle.

HandMade: The Crochet Winged Dress.

Here is my newest project complete from last week's, "What's on my hook?" 
This design was actually solely meant to be a sweater, but I really wanted to expand it a bit and create a dress instead. Definitely want to go the maxi route next year, seeing as that is one of the projects I entirely want to venture into next time around. The sleeves on this dress are what made me want to create this, I love the idea of the over sized wing span.  For the bottom of the dress, I made it a bit form fitting. I wanted the exact opposite of the top of the dress, to show both sides of the spectrum!

I made the stitches a bit open so that there was breath ability, especially when Spring/Summer ever decides to hit us. We are entirely going to feel the heat.

The Yarn I used: Purple//Caron Simply Soft Yarn  
The Hook I used: J/10-6.00MM

The Pattern I used: Experimental: My Own!

//ashlee elle.

October Monthly Yarn Haul.

Hello there, hope you had a lovely weekend! I wanted to show some of the wonderful pieces of yarn I purchased from a few stores I visited this month. Seeing as the holidays are swiftly approaching, some of these purchases are for other some personal and some for my shoppe!  The majority of the finds are from Michaels, which I used coupons for, the 40% discount goes a long way. I also purchased some from Wal-mart and even the 99 cent store which entirely caught me off guard! Didn't make it Hobby Lobby yet, but I'm a fan of I Love This Yarn, but hopefully soon I will.  This year, I am entirely branching out into different brands of yarns, attempting to find what else is out there in terms of quality and wear ability. So here are a few of my finds for this month!

Caron One Pound// Colors: Claret 0562/White 0501/Country Rose 0535
I purchased about 3 of these bundles, one by accident truly! Meaning to finish up a project (which you will see this week) mistakenly I picked up the wrong color, truly believing I would remember the exact name and color. I was wrong, so now I have an extra pound which will have to wait to be used until I have a project for it! I am a huge fan of this brand, especially for my more grappling projects that call for all of the yarn in the entire world.

Loops & Threads Charisma// Colors:  Dark Purple/Charcoal/Taupe/Off White
This yarn is perfect for scarves! Honestly, I wanted to grab all of the colors, run to the checkout line and not even think twice. Though in the real world, there was a great sale at Michael's for Charisma, so I picked the familiar few, that I seem to gravitate to. 

Vanna's Choice Lion Brand// Colors: Grey Marble/Mustard/Olive/Dusty Green/Taupe/Charcoal Grey
For the crochet hats, I am currently selling in my shoppe, these are some of the colors that I am utilizing for the orders. All of the colors, to be honest, are insanely perfect for the Autumn season as well as the upcoming Winter season. I love the feel of this yarn and it is quite a growing favorite of mine this year.

Red Heart Super Saver// Color:  Big Bundle Aran/Warm Brown
The Aran shade is for a current project I am working on, I'll go into depths with its this following week with What's on my hook? As well as the Warm Brown shade, it primarily for a DIY tutorial post which will be up tomorrow!

Bernat Baby Sport// Baby Taupe
This color of taupe caught my eye, despite it being specified baby yarn, I had been looking for this shade for quite awhile with no such luck. It was the last bundle at the store and I thought, I'd better pick it up now or I will entirely regret trying to find this again. I must say it's super soft and a handful of projects can come from just this bundle which is about 300 g/10.5 oz. I'm excited to think of more ideas!

Loops & Thread Impeccable// Aran
Bought this yarn for a great deal and for a specific project in mind. Wishing I picked up my colors though, ah maybe next time. On another note, for some reason I am currently in an all Aran mood regarding my yarn!

Caron Simply Soft// Colors: Grey Heather
This was an on purpose double purchase, had bought one of them a week or so apart and there was a major sale, once again! So I wanted to pick up another one for a future project with this specific shade and brand. I am quite a fan of Caron and I know exactly what kind of project I will put it on hold for. Perhaps a shawl or a lacy scarf!

Unknown Brand// Unknown Color
Found this yarn in a clearance bin, marked for $2.99, not 100% what brand it came from, but will definitely make for a nice slouchy hat or some winter boot cuffs. Besides the price, the shade of the yarn is favorite part of it all.

My surprise find, happened to find a handful of yarn and I could not help myself, so I had to try it out. I mean it was only a dollar each so I could use it for some random trial projects! Knitting Yarn was the title of this brand that I found and it had a kitten on the label as well. Should be interesting to experiment with!
Those were just a few of my finds this month though now I must ask, What are your favorite brands? and What have you picked up lately?