DIY: Comfy Crochet Shrug

My version of the lionbrand crochet shrug:

I've been browsing the lionbrand.com pattern website for weeks now. I always seem to stop on this simple crochet shrug pattern.

Doesn't this look comfy? I must admit I didn't believe the pattern when I read the level was beginner, are they serious? with arm holes and everything, I just wasn't sure if I could do it.

Then around the fifth time I stopped on the picture I actually read the pattern. Much to my surprise this did look easy, the only stitch used is single crochet, then you basically fold the piece in half and sew up two sides for the arm holes.

Naturally, as you see above, I decided to attempt to make my own

Follow along with my process if you'd like:
Materials Needed
4 skiens of lion brand homespun creme yarn
size J crochet hook
scissors
measuring tape
darning needle

Step 1: Chain 85

Step 2: Single Crochet in the 2nd chain from the hook and in each chain across

Step 3: Chain 1, turn, in back loops only, single crochet in each stitch across

repeat row 2 until piece measures 42 inches long

Almost done!!

Fold piece in half to measure 21x 38inches

Place markers on each of the 21 in. sides, 7 in. below fold for armholes. Seam sides from markers down to lower edge.

Weave in ends

Wear!

DIY: Slouchy Urban Beanie

my urban jungle beanie:

I've been dying to make myself a hat for what seems like months now.

Look how cute... come on, everyone needs one of these!

And well, I think I've just about mastered scarves now, so I think it's time to move on to something a bit more complicated.

I must admit though, everytime I think today is the day to crochet one, I look at a pattern and get intimidated.

But, I decided it was time to take a leap of faith, I settled on this great urban Jungle beanie caron pattern.

Here it goes..(follow along with the caron Pattern)

First, I chained 10, then single crocheted until I reached 22 inches

weaved in ends

Single crochet around

Puff stitch around 18 rows

Close the hat, see Vickie Howell's tutorial here

Finished!

DIY Crochet: Lace Skirt

After making this crazy doilie looking scarf out of some white yarn and no pattern, I got to thinking...

What if I played around and tried to make a crochet skirt? It can't be too hard, it's basically just going around and around in circles, and honestly I don't have the patience to try to figure out all the confusing skirt patterns online, not to mention they're not too chic. So, here's my thought, use stretchy yarn, chain the base chain by measuring my waist and then shaving some chains off. Do a few rows of slip stitch or single crochet and then start the lacy shell pattern. To finish off I'll thread my darning needle with some white ribbon for the waist (to ensure the skirt stays up!) Here goes... of course this is a beach cover up, I know I know it's winter what am I thinking, but maybe this can be used for a nice winter beach vacation in the near future??

First chain to fit your waist line, For this I chained 120 for around a size 2

Single crochet in the second chain from the hook and each of the following chains

attach to form a circle

make 5 rows of single crochet

Begin to shell stitch, using the following pattern: Skip 3 single crochets, in the 4th single crochet create a shell (Shell=3 double crochets, chain two, 3 double crochets; note: this shell sequence is all in the same single crochet); next skip 5 single crochets, crochet a shell in the 6th single crochet, continue until you reach the end of the row, double crochet in the last single crochet of the row, chain 3, and begin working a shell into the first "hole" in the first shell from the first row. Continue working shells into each succeeding hole, when you reach the end of your row chain 3, continue this pattern until you reach your desired length.
Below you'll see the pattern in a few steps:

Sew in ends with a darning needle

Wear

Note: The Ribbon wasn't necessary for this skirt, but if you attempt to make this and the waistline isn't tight enough, thread your darning needle with ribbon and sew into the waistband.

DIY: Makeup bag pt 2

Onto my second week of sewing. I decided to attempt to make a makeup bag again, but this time I added a few extra steps and made it a bit bigger and deeper to store more makeup, or anything for that matter. I've actually decided to use my creation to store sewing supplies! (See below for my finished product)

I learned the steps to make the above bag in the beginners sewing class I took. In the actual class however, I made the bag below

I must admit, I wasn't crazy about this thing in the beginning, from the advertisement on the class I assumed we would be making a much more compact bag with pretty fabric, obviously not the case.

All was not lost though, I did still learn how to create the bag, and as you see above, I taloried the size and fabric to my own liking....and I did find a use for this big eye sore of a bag afterall!

Now... onto making the bag

You will need:
2 pieces of 12 inch by 10 inch fabric of your choice
scissors
9 inch zipper
sewing machine
thread

To begin..

cut two pieces of fabric 12 inches by 10 inches, match up 12 inch sides, pin and sew(remember when sewing to leave a 5/8ths inch seam allowance)

Open

iron seam allowance open

pin zipper onto the seam allowance

sew on both sides of the zipper

next pin an inch from the bottom and an inch from the top, in between the pins rip the seams out with your seam ripper.

unzip the zipper

turn inside out match ends, pin and sew

position the zipper part of the bag in the middle (see below)

pin both sides, and sew

Now fold up all four corners, mark an inch from each corner and sew across

the result should look like the below

flip inside out, and... you're done!!

DIY: Makeup bag

Happy New Year!! Thanks for stopping by, check out my very first sewing project of 2012 and thecraftynovice! I promise this is really easy, give it a shot if you have a machine and a few minutes!

First thing's first, you'll need the following:

Fabric
scissors
7 inch zipper
sewing machine
thread
tape measure

Begin by placing the zipper on the left side of the fabric, the top of the zipper should be flush to the top of the fabric; you'll want to mark at the bottom of the zipper (you'll be cutting here, this is the width of your bag)

Now measure 5 1/2 inches and cut (this is the length of your bag)

Now that you have once piece cut out, place it over the fabric and cut a second peice with the exact same measurements

Line both pieces up inside out

Pin

Use your machine to sew in a straight line, leave a 5/8ths inch seam allowance

Iron your seams open

Pin on the zipper (only necessary on one side)

Sew both sides of the zipper to the seam allowance

Turn over, use two pins, put one an inch from the bottom of the zipper and one an inch from the top. Then use your seam ripper to rip out the seams in the middle, your zipper should now be exposed

Next, pin your fabric to the zipper on both sides, you will now sew a rectangle around the zipper, so the zipper will firmly stay in place

Result

Turn your piece inside out, leave the zipper unzipped. Pin the bottom together, sew.

Then pin sides, and sew.

Turn your piece right side out, and... you're done!!