Needlecrafts - Crochet, Messenger Bag

After six years of solid posting, this break was certainly welcome.
Posting is a joy, exploring the web for new ideas for crafting and being able to provide free patterns to support those designs.
Taking time to recharge one's batteries is also vital for maintaining the creativity involved.
The decision to create a collection of crochet patterns has been on my mind for some time.
Even though I enjoy working and designing knit, crochet and needlepoint, I decided to start with crochet designs.
This undertaking takes time, discipline and energy which is why my posting has been somewhat sporadic.
In the meantime I'm posting a free pattern for a messenger bag, which I find to be one of the most useful bags to own.
You will note the shoulder strap is not crocheted although you could work one up easily.
In previous posts I've mentioned how much I love thrifting so this happens to be a strap from a thrifting expedition. We're lucky in this city to have so many large thrift stores such as Value Village and Talize.
The strap cost me all of 3 bucks, a bargain.
The button is vintage, again part of my vast collection of buttons.

Make your new spring bag out of the suggested yarn or any bulky yarn you like. Enjoy!

Video Tutorial | Front Post Single Crochet Stitch

Click on images of past posts featuring different styles ofbags

Top 20 Posts | Click on image below for posts

Happy Crocheting!

Needlecrafts - Knit, Crochet, Sew, NoSew | Ruanas

All patterns and tutorials | click on links for free patterns and tutorials after the jump

All inspirational images | Pinterest

Inspirational image | Pinterest

A ruana by any other name is simply an open faced wrap, but let's face it, it sounds exotic and therefore trendy. The style of this accessory is really a poncho that has been split up the front giving you more freedom and versatility (see the video at the end of the post showing you different to wear this wrap). Ruana is a Spanish word, a poncho-like outer garment of heavy wool, worn especially in the mountains of Colombia. Whether the garment is knit or crocheted in a heavier wool or sewn from a sequinned chiffon fabric, each serves a purpose in your wardrobe. Much like the pashmina shawls which were popular for completing outfits, these wraps are definitely ones to have on hand. Unless a shawl is very wide and long, the ruana gives you better coverage. There is a style waiting to be made whether you knit, crochet sew or just want a quick DIY project without any particular skills. Read further for helpful tutorials and videos as well as free patterns.

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Needlecrafts - Crochet, Oversize Hobobag

Inspirational images | Pinterest

Who doesn’t love boho? It’s so french, slightly gypsy and very comfortable. Incorporating a boho vibe with accessories is a good way to provide interest but still keep it simple. The over the top bohobags featured in the inspiration page step straight out of 1970s Marrakech, with heavily embellished bags dripping with embroidery, tassels and trim. The bag pattern featured is simple, great for everyday but if your heart is really into decorative pieces, by all means embellish to your heart's content. You could stripe the bag, add fringe, pompoms or even beads for when it's tribal or ethnic, more is more. A popular past post featuring 4 stylish hobobags are worked in the round, another way of looking at the big bag.

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Needlecrafts - Knit, Crochet - Crossover Tops

All images | Pinterest

All images | style.com and Pinterest

Personally, any style that hides this body's imperfections and at the same time is easy to wear hits the top of my list every time.
The crossover vest or pullover is just that, the fact that it can be stocking stitch simple or more textured as illustrated in the aran styles.
Short or long, you can layer this garment with a pretty cami whether it's the traditional slip version or a long sleeved style in the sheerest or laciest of fabrics.
Basically the fronts of this style are two rectangles that cross over and are sewn to the sides of the back either closer to the underarm or down nearer to the waist.
Try two different textures for each front or one side striped and the other side in a solid or marl.
Lifestyle lookbooks featured on retail sites such as Anthropologie try to tempt you with their new merchandise. These are definitely a good starting place for inspiration in styling, color and texture combinations.
Read further for different approaches to the crossover style and see schematics showing the basic construction.

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Needlecraft - Knit,Sew,Crochet - Criss Cross Shrug

There are so many lovely designs that are available for knitting, crochet and sewing. Unfortunately, those same designs do not usually cross paths into all the three crafts because of certain limitations within the design or the craft.
All three crafts appeal to me but I go through stages of wanting to do one craft more than the other.
For me, at the moment, it is crochet but a design that is knit can persuade me to start knitting.
When a pattern is easy and appealing to all three crafters, this is a good thing.
The last post was about making a rectangle that folded into a shrug.
This post also offers a design that allows you make your shrug in three different ways.
The crossover shrug is a long rectangle that folds and is sewn at the ends for sleeves. The middle part, depending how long and how wide, can become a cowl, a hood or a top for a cami underneath .
Read further for a refashion idea and free patterns for both a knit and crochet crossover shrug.

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Needlecrafts - Crochet, Retro Rib Ticklers

Inspiration images courtesy | www.style.com and Pinterest

They say you should never revisit fashions from your youth but the granny is one style that continues to be part of our craft consciousness, whether in fashion or home decor. Granny vests, shrink vests or rib ticklers are an iconic baby boomer fashion. Even the most "grown-up" boomer remembers them fondly.
I remember all too well how older salesmen at the yarn companies talked about this pattern with reverence as there was a ton of yarn sold and newly minted crochet addicts were hungry for more patterns.
Magazines were filled with every kind of crochet project you could think of. What a happy, colorful craft world it was.
This vest as we knew it was tight and short, hence the name shrink vest and rib tickler.
Designers such as Christopher Kane and House of Holland continue to pay homage to past granny designs in keeping with the vintage, thrift shop trend .
Now Miuccia Prada has taken a bold step (she always does) and reproduced the famous vest in hopes of exciting a younger market.
Maybe you can revisit these styles, looser perhaps, a tad longer and in more sophisticated colors. Why not? Fashion is fun!
Read further for more vintage inspiration and a free pattern to make your own version that will tickle your ribs.

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Needlecrafts - Crochet, Cables and Chains

Inspiration pattern | for complete Berrocco Genoa free pattern, click here
Side to side 2 square inspiration pattern | for complete Side to side knit free pattern, click here
Poncho-style inspiration pattern | for schematics, available after the jump

Manytimes we get excited by a new stitch pattern but the style is one that is not flattering or has shaping that we find challenging or don't want to do.
My mantra when knitting or crocheting is "Easy,peasy please!".
Challenging stitch patterns in themselves can be difficult enough without having to figure out decreases for armhole or neck shaping.
When you encounter a pattern you like don't be put off by the style, adapt it to suit your needs and style.
The easiest summer shapes for tanks and tops are the square and rectangle.
Let the stitch do all the work, not you when you show off your next new project.

Read further for easy-to-read stitch symbols, video how tos and different schematics for this exciting stitch pattern. Definitely on my project list this summer.

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