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 Crossed Shawl.

Hello there and Happy Thursday! Here is my completed project from last weeks', 'What's on my hook?' It's another experimental project, big surprise! Definitely want to experiment more with this item and try different stitches and methods with this pattern. It was a bit tricky trying to figure out how to go about creating this shawl, but after a few tries, here it is! It is super comfy and I don't have to fidget around with it. Even with the slit in the pattern I have the option of leaving it a bit open or tying it together. I love pieces that I can utilize in numerous ways!

The crochet technique I used, was the half double crochet, double crochet single crochet and an open stitch method.

The Yarn I used:  Heather Grey//Caron Simply Soft

The Hook I used: H/8-5.00 MM   
The Pattern I used: Experimental: My Own!   

What''s On My Hook?

What's on my hook?  
Currently, I have this scarlet esque yarn on my hook, which I used for the red cape hood handmade project. My lovely friend brought my attention to this bag that she spotted on another blog and she immediately called me to let me know that I should be making this bag....For her that is! :p I am quite inspired by the bag, though my design will of course feature fringe as well, but it will be a bit modified towards my style. I haven't made a bag since I believe it was last year and it has been a project on my list that I think now is the great time to whip one up!
 
Where is the yarn from? This yarn is Country Rose// Caron One Pound. It's the perfect shade for the bag and I can't wait to fringe it up with this project!

What's on your hook and/or needle?

HandMade: The Crochet Red Hooded Cape.

The Crochet Red Hooded Cape, entirely whimsical, fantasy driven project that was heavily inspired by all of those things. Must say, I feel like a hobbit in this cape and if you know me, that is an insanely beautiful thing! I knew I wanted to make this cape, as soon as I finished this one. I pushed it off until I could find the right color of red and this shade fits the theme quite suitably. I feel as if I would like to create a longer piece, same exact method, but that will depend on just how cold it actually gets here this Winter!

The crochet technique I used, for the cape was a half double crochet and double crochet and a bit of open spacing once again to allow a bit of not so heavy feel. For the hood as well as the bow, I applied the same technique to continue the consistency throughout the project. For the trim, I made an almost picot-esque edging to apply the whimsy feel to the piece.

The Yarn I used: Country Rose// Caron One Pound
The Hook I used: J/10-6.00MM   
The Pattern I used: Experimental: My Own!

What's On My Hook?

What's been hanging on my crochet hook lately has been a lovely rich and deep red yarn from Caron, the big bundle. It's a project that has been swirling in my head for quite awhile now and I am just now getting to it! I am creating another cape kind of item, but with a fantasy twist to it. Kind of like a red riding hood inspired, with a touch of whimsy. I truly hope it comes out the way it lives in my mind! 

This project is once again, all experimental, which I love creating very dearly and it is a personal project like the many other ones I have created besides the DIY's. So hopefully, it'll be complete whenever it is ready, no rushing it! What projects are you working on? I hope your projects are coming along quite well for you! :)

The Tutorial: The Chunky Crochet Boot Cuffs.

Hello there! I've made this free tutorial/pattern based on a pair of leg-warmers that I saw at Target a week ago. I thought it would be an awesome DIY to whip up for this week, so I made my own version of the item. Please feel free to modify it any kind of way you please, this is just a how I made these boot cuffs. Oh, and let me know if any clarification is needed! :)

The Ingredients: (I used)      
>>Yarn: Deep Sage (Caron Yarn)
>>The hook:  J/10-6.00MM  
>>Tools: Scissors      
>>Crochet technique with abbreviations:
(Chain[CH]/Half Double Crochet [HDC]/Single Crochet [SC] Slip Stitch [SS/] DC [Double Crochet])   
>> Skill Type: Beginner/Intermediate

Step one: You will want to measure the circumference of your calf, mine was about 27 ST. After [27] chains, CH 1.

Step two: HDC for two rows and you will connect each after each row. The total will be 3 rows of HDC.

This is what the bottom of the cuff will look like!

Step three: After the 3 HDC. This is the increase for the chunky part. CH 2.
(4th Row)
1 DC into the following 2 STS
For the 3rd ST
2DC into the 3 ST
CH 2
DC into the following 2 STS
You will repeat this method throughout the 4th row, connecting at the end of the row.

It will look like this!

Step four: 5th row: CH 2
DC in the the same ST as the CH 2.
Now you will CH 1
Skip the following ST 
DC into the following 2 STS
Skip the following ST
 DC into the following 2 STS
This will be repeated for 13 rows or however long you want it to be. I chose 14 rows of this method.

Once the length is desired of the cuff.
(Mine was at row 20.)
You will now, HDC the final row.

Final step: Slip stitch, cut and weave in the ends.