Crochet Trend: Crossbody Bum Bag

Crochet trends spread fast in social media groups. The latest one is this crossbody bag made with 4 granny squares. There are a few versions floating around but my favorite was the Juniper Festival Crossbody Bum Bag by Casey Crochet. It's a paid pattern and is available on Etsy and Ravelry. I liked this one the best because it uses the sunburst granny square which I've used in other projects before and LOVE. Also, I really liked the look of the strap she designed. These bags are meant to be like fanny packs but worn as crossbody bags.

Obviously, I'm not writing this blog post to give out the pattern, you'll have to purchase that yourself. I do want to show what my finished one looks like and try to explain how I added the lining. This blog post has been updated with more photos and more detailed instructions.

I will be offering a limited number of these bags for sale in my Etsy shop

This design is pretty simple and honestly, I considered just throwing my own version together instead of buying the pattern but I'm happy to spend $6 and save myself the headache! I mean, have you ever written your own pattern? There's a reason people charge money for them, they take a LOT of time. Not only do you have to trial and error the project until you get it perfect, but then you have to type it up for yourself or other people to understand! It always takes longer than you think and inevitably you wonder "what was I thinking?"

Wintry Hooded Scarf

Check out this cozy winter scarf! This pattern has so many great elements that make it unique, beautiful and functional.

I have an awesome library system where I live. I have access to lots of great pattern books and I spotted this Green Mountain Spinnery Hooded Scarf pattern in Marly Bird's book Cold Weather Crochet. Can't find the book? You can buy this pattern here.

I like to try new crochet projects and then I sell then in my Etsy shop. This scarf is available for purchase!

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Cabled Crochet Cowl

This beautiful textured cowl is the perfect accessory for winter!

I purchased this pattern back in December and I finally had time to work on it. This pattern is available for purchase on Ravelry from Jennifer Pionk, it's called Timeless Cabled Cowl. My first instinct is to choose grey for all my projects. I just love it and it matches everything! For this cowl I decided to step out of my comfort zone and go for a bold, deep red...

Neutral Granny Square Scarf

Crocheters Love Granny Squares! I usually think of a mod podge of different colored scraps when I think of granny squares. I think the simplicity of all beige squares gives this scarf a more modern look. I was inspired by this scarf from Eclectic Me.

Do you want this scarf? It's available in my shop

Crochet Monster Hat

I've been MIA for the last few weeks here on the blog and if you follow me on Instagram you know why. I've been busy stocking my Etsy shop! Tis the season for warm and cozy crochet accessories! Yup, I'm getting ready for the chilly weather and the holiday season.

I just finished this adorable monster hat for a friend of mine. There's no real pattern I can provide because I just winged it. Basically you pick any style hat. I went with an ear flap hat, then I just added random details to the face. Monster hats are so cute and such a cool accessory with Halloween right around the corner!

Here's some of my latest Instagram posts. You even get a peek at my next blog post. I'm working on a reclaimed wood sign!

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Fall and Winter Crochet

I'm so excited to be getting ready for fall in my Etsy shop! I have a collection of Outlander inspired fingerless gloves posted already and still have more items done and ready to be posted. Usually when I work on new items, my friends and family get a look at them and they want some too!

My daughter was desperate to have some fingerless gloves. She picked out this fun rainbow yarn and I went in search of a cute kid's pattern. I ended up choosing these puff stitch fingerless gloves by Hopeful Honey. This free pattern is for an adult but these are very easily adaptable for any size hand.

Here's another pair of gloves I made using a pattern from Beatrice Ryan. I ended up using a size 6 hook with this. I also changed how I worked the thumb.

I've been inspired by the Outlander series for some of my shop's new fall items. Please stop by and take a look! These Celtic Weave Gloves are available in my shop!

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Girl's Crochet Fat Bottom Bag

I've seen a lot of talk lately about crochet charts and I thought now would be a good time to share a project I made using a crochet chart pattern! 

I came across this pattern a while ago when I first got back into crochet. I was so excited, it was so cute and looked to be fairly easy from the picture. Then I clicked on the pattern...a chart!? I had never seen a chart pattern and had no clue how to read it. I set it aside and never attempted it. Since then, I have followed a couple charts to make crochet doilies that I used on my crochet rocks and found it easier than I thought. After you figure out what all those crazy symbols mean, it's really quite easy and the chart helps you to visualize your project better. I finally made this purse this year as a Christmas gift. 

The pattern for this purse comes from Pierrot Yarns(Gosyo CO., Ltd.) and is called 210-32 Flower Bag. I did not design this pattern. The chart pattern is very detailed and can be figured out by a beginner chart pattern reader. This post is meant to accompany the original pattern for anyone who still may be nervous to try it. If you are interested in making this purse, please print the original pattern and instructions and follow along!

I used 3 skeins Sugar and Cream cotton yarn in Lilac and a 4.25 mm hook for the whole project. I didn't change hook size for the handle as the pattern calls for. This pattern uses ch, sc, dc, sl st, and whip stitches. My finished bag measures 6.5x11 inches from opening to bottom and side to side.

Body of bag
To start, ch 62. In the chart it says ch 61 but that isn't including your turning chain.
Row 1: sc in second chain from hook, ch2, dc in same as first sc. *Skip 2, (sc,ch2,dc)...repeat to end of row, sc in last stitch, ch1, turn.

Rows 2-38: rows start with (sc, ch2, dc) in first stitch and in each sc from previous row. End each row with a sc in last. Ch1 and turn.

Mouth of bag
At the end of row 38 ch1 and turn. Work 20 sc across top of body section inserting hook under each ch2/dc space. When I reached the end of row I found I didn't like the little section popping out so I end with a sc dec combining the last ch2/dc and the first sc from the previous row. If you want to do this you will have 19 sc, 1 sc dec. Ch1, turn.

Work 20 sc across for each row, 8 rows total. Tie off. Now tie on to opposite side of body and do the other side of the mouth of bag and tie off.

Sides and handles
Make 2 ch 50 sections and set aside.
Row 1: Tie yarn on to corner and work 20 sc up side of body. Now work 50 sc into one of the ch 50's you made. Continue on to opposite side of bag with 20 sc down other side. Work 50 sc in to second ch 50 section. Sl st into first sc to complete round.

Row 2-9: Ch1, sc in same and in each stitch around. Join each row with a sl st into first sc.

*note: I don't actually think it's necessary to make the separate ch 50 sections. If I make this bag again, I would work 20 sc, ch 50, 20 sc, ch 50, join row. Then in second row I would work into the chain 50's, probably adding an extra row so there would be 10 rows instead of 9.

Finishing
All your crocheting is done! Now for each side of the mouth of bag fold in half towards inside of bag and whip stitch in place. Fold handles and sides in half and do the same, remembering to stitch together the short side of mouth to handles as well. Weave in all your ends. Attach button and loop for closure and sew on any embellishments you choose such as flowers. I free-styled this flower I used for my bag, no pattern, sorry!

This finished bag will be available in my Etsy store!

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Harry Potter Inspired Crochet Projects

We're a bunch of Harry Potter nerds at my house and I've been wanting to do some Harry Potter crochet projects for a while now. I finally got these done just in time for fall.

Animal Cracker Hat pattern by Kristen Mohr

Fingerless Gloves, Lion Brand Pattern

Rat Amigurumi by Glad I Knit

 Convertible Hat pattern by April Draven

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Princess Anna Crochet Hat

This Disney's Frozen, Princess Anna inspired crochet hat is easy to make and is a great gift for the holidays or a Frozen birthday!

I found this great Rohirrim Bonnet pattern from Vallieskids and thought it was a great starting point for a Princess Anna Hat. Full credit for the original bonnet goes to the original designer however, I rewrote the pattern to reflect the changes I made. I wanted it to be shorter in the back and longer in the front. I also added more femininity with the shell edging and flower details on the side. I never write down patterns for other people to read, so I hope what I did is clear. If not, please feel free to ask questions.

H(5mm) Hook, worsted weight yarn(Red Heart: Dark Orchid & Blue)
Purple yarn
Row 1) ch 61, dc in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn(59)
Row 2-6) ch 2, dc in next dc from the previous row and in each across, ending with your last dc in the top of the ch 2 from the previous row(59)
*Every row will begin and end his way with the last stitch in the top of chain from previous row
Row 7) ch 2, 2dc in next st, dc in each across until second to last stitch-2 dc in second to last, dc in last(61)
Row 8) ch 2, dc in each st across(61)
Row 9) ch 2, 2dc in next st, dc in each across until second to last stitch-2 dc in second to last, dc in last(63)
Row 10-12) ch 2, dc in each st across. Tie off Purple(63)
Black Yarn
Row 13,14) ch 2, *skip first st, dc in next st, dc in skipped st(forms an X), repeat from * across to last, dc in last st. Tie off Black(31 X's)
Blue Yarn
Row 15) ch1, *3dc in next st, sk next st, sc, skip next st, repeat from * Do not tie off blue yet.(16 3dc groups)

*Update: I've had a lot of questions and comments about the stitch count coming out wrong, especially when you get to the X's. I've added photos of the beginning and end of each row to show you how I did it. I'm considering the ch2 at the beginning of each row as the first DC although it isn't included in the stitch count in parenthesis. Rows end with DC into the top of ch2 from previous row.

-Fold bonnet in half and sl st with purple yarn the base of the purple section together, this will form the back of the hat. Weave in ends
-Pick back up the blue yarn, ch1 and sc along the bottom of hat. Tie off and weave in ends.

TIES: Measure six long strands of yarn(approximately 20-22 in), pull halfway through the bottom front of hat, braid and tie knot at end.

FLOWERS: Magic ring, ch2, dc, ch1, sl st, four times, tighten ring forming four petal flower. Leave long string to attach onto hat. Use contrasting yarn, knotted for center of flower.

GREEN CROCHET EMBROIDERY: tutorial found here

This pattern was designed for a 4-6 years child but because of the style, one size fits most children. You can make bigger by adding rows to the purple section after row 12.

»»»» If you make this hat to sell, please be courteous and give credit to me as the designer with a link back to me. Do not copy and post this pattern or claim it as your own. Do not try to sell this pattern. Do not re-publish photos as your own.

Thanks so much for visiting! This hat will be available at my Etsy store in limited quantities along with plenty of my other creations! Please come and check it out!

See the new Elsa Crown With Hair pattern!

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