HandMade: The Pumpkin Pie Crochet Shorts.

Hello there & Happy Handmade Thursdays to ya! Still feeling a bit under the weather, but I couldn't wait to show this new crochet short design I have recently made. Wanting to utilize an exposed zipper somewhere in this design, it suited the design in the end, just the way I imagined!

I feel as if crocheting shorts, for me personally, has been an evolution, I try to create better ones each time, it's basically practice. I entirely feel that there's always room to learn and experiment! I used a simple technique for creating these shorts, I wanted to keep the stitch as simplistic as possible as well as the pattern. Especially seeing that I would want to wear them all throughout the Autumn season. I didn't feel it needed anything going on with it, sometimes basic is okay! The exposed zipper on the side, offers that little bit of snug and security for this design which I could not decide on where I truly wanted to place it, I opted for the side because it adds a little detail to such a simple design.

On the real, to be entirely honest, these shorts are ridiculously comfortable! After shooting the photographs for them, I just stayed in them all day long. Truly one of my favorite designs yet, I can't wait to put the pattern up!

Crochet Pattern for my first pair of Crochet Shorts>> HERE.

The yarn I used was Vanna's Choice (Rust)
The hook I used was a J/10-6.00MM
The Pumpkin Pie Crochet Shorts pattern is entirely experimental, made from my own pattern! Planning to place the pattern for purchase on my Pattern Shoppe! It's in queue.

DIY: The Autumn Bow Crochet Shoulder Shrug & Scarf.

Hello there! Happy Tuesday to you. I've had this yarn in my bin for quite awhile and this design had been in my head for the same amount of time. So I thought, why not combine the two worlds to create this shoulder shrug? For one, I love shrugs, especially this one that can also be utilized as a scarf, which is the best of two worlds. Which is why I thought I'd share the free pattern for those who love a good deal!

Ingredients:
Yarn (I used Loops & Threads//Ginseng)
Scissors
Crochet hook (5MM)
Yarn sewing needle

Abbreviations:
SC=single crochet
HDC=half double crochet
SS=Slip Stitch
CH=Chain
YO=Yarn Over  
Turn= Turn work around 

Using a puff stitch for this pattern. 
Here are some tutorials that might assist you for this pattern.
Link #1

This pattern was made for a Small/Medium. You may use your personal measurements to accommodate the cowl!

Firstly, CH 50.
Turn, HDC the entire Row 1 and turn at the end of the Row.

Row 2: DC into the first ST, *skip the following ST, DC into the next ST, *Repeat from the asterisk, End of Row, Turn.

Row 3: Starting a puff stitch. [Insert hook into stitch and draw up a loop, yarn over 5 times] into the hole that the following Row 2 created, pull through all 6 loops and CH 1. You will YO 5 times into each ST for the entire Row 3. End of Row, Turn.

Row 4: Continuing with the puff stitch.  [Insert hook into stitch and draw up a loop, yarn over 7 times] into the hole that the following Row 2 created, pull through all 8 loops and CH 1. You will create the puff stitch technique into each ST for the entire Row 4. End of Row, Turn.

Row 5: Continuing with the puff stitch.  [Insert hook into stitch and draw up a loop, yarn over 5 times] into the hole that the following Row 2 created, pull through all 6 loops and CH 1. You will create the puff stitch technique into each ST for the entire Row 5. End of Row, Turn.

Row 6: DC into the first ST, *skip the following ST, DC into the next ST, *Repeat from the asterisk until the end of Row, Turn.

Row 7-8: CH 3, *YO, DC into the hole presented by Row 6, CH 1, *Repeat from the asterisk until the end of Row, Turn.

Row 9: DC into the first 4 STS, DC two times into the 5th ST, DC into the next 4 STS, *Repeat from the asterisk until the end of Row, Turn.

Row 10: HDC the entire Row, SS at the end, cutting yarn off to sew in the edges with the yarn sewing needle.

With half a bit of yarn, if you choose. Tie the yarn right around the middle section of the shrug (I simply guessed the middle) to create the bow-esque look.

Happy Crafting!
ashlee elle.

DIY: How To Crochet A Bunny Phone Cozy.

I've wanted to create one of these little bunny phone cozy in crochet form ever since I laid eyes on them and now seeing that Easter is just a few days away. I thought it would be a real cute idea to finally have that design become a stylish reality.  
Note: These instructions are based off of the phone I have which is an Iphone 5.

The Ingredients: Left to Right:
>>yarn of your choice (vanna's choice) for the main color, I also used Red Heart Yarn, (white) for the tail
>>scissors
>>needle and thread
>>crochet hooks Main hook> (H/8-5.00MM) & Secondary hook>> (F/5-3.75MM)/ yarn sewing needle
>>pom pom maker (found at Walmart and Hobby Lobby)
>>two buttons

Crochet Abbreviations:
SC= single crochet
HDC= half double crochet
SS= slip stitch   
CH= chain
ST(S)= stitches or stitch

From Left to Right:
CH 19 connect the beginning of the ST to the last ST
SC the entire Row with connecting the first ST to the last ST
You will SC until Row 24

After you complete the 24th Row.
You will turn the case inside out.
At the bottom of the case (where you started) you will sew it with the yarn sewing needle.

*The Bunny Ears.
From Left to Right:
Connect your yarn to the top of the case, where the opening is. 
CH 5.
SC the entire Row.
Turn and continue, but only SC for 4 STS.
Turn and Continue, but only SC for 3STS.
Turn and Continue, but only SC for 2STS
Turn and Continue, but only SC for 1 ST.
You will create this for both sets, the ears. 
*With the secondary hook, SC around the ears for a finished look.

For the Eyes:
You will sew both buttons onto the case.
3 Rows down, from the top is where I sewed the buttons for the eyes.

From Left to Right:
You will utilize your pom pom maker or create one from your own devices! 

From Left to Right:
With the finished pom pom, you will use the yarn sewing needle and thread the pom pom, unto the back of the phone case.
Next, (middle photo) with the white yarn again you will create a criss cross of the yarn to create the mouth of the bunny. Like the (third photo!)

 Hope you enjoyed this tutorial!
//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?

Shoppe Update: The Crochet Autumn Hat.

Hello there! I wanted to share this crocheted hat that I made for  my Etsy >>The Dream In Vintage Shoppe<< It is currently open for purchase! Made with a light bubble stitch technique plus a ribbed effect and all sorts of lovely colors suited for the ever so chilly seasons coming up! The hats are only $30.50! It's 100% acrylic, machine washable as well as dryable and they also come in various colors! Truly, thank you for viewing! :)