Designs From Scratch Boutique Now on Etsy!

UPDATE: After almost a year on Etsy, I’ve decided not to re-list or add any more products to my shop. I realized that I was using my store as a way to refer people to my work and general prices of items that I make. This is obviously something I can easily do on my blog! I would have stuck it out, but I really disagree with the allowance of so many resellers on Etsy. When it started, Etsy was a great way for individuals to sell their one-of-a-kind, handmade creations without worrying about competition from big brand companies that mass produce items. Since this is no longer the case, I’ve decided to close up shop. If you’re interested in one of my custom creations, please contact me and I’d be happy to work something out! You can also find my craft-inspired artwork on a range of products in my Zazzle store.

I’m proud to announce the grand opening of the Designs From Scratch Boutique on Etsy! I’ve started off by listing some of my favorite crochet items. This high quality messenger bag is made to order and comes with a sturdy, cotton liner. The roomy design makes it a great everyday purse to protect all of your essentials. Personalize it by choosing your own colors, and I’ll have your custom bag on its way in no time!

Magnificent Crochet Messenger Bag

Looking for something a little smaller? This clutch purse is the perfect accessory for any occasion. You can make it yourself using my free pattern or order the ready-made version and have it shipped to you for free!

Ice Blue Crochet Clutch Purse

Children, pets & elephant lovers alike will enjoy having these adorable elephants around. Since they’re too cute to just have one, these little buddies come in a set of two!

Crochet Amigurumi Elephant (set of two)

Feel better about transporting your laptop with this cotton laptop case. It’s made as one piece for added durability, and has a simple three-button closure.

Cotton Crochet Laptop Case on Etsy

Love your iPad? Then you’ll love this cotton sleeve made specifically for tablets! The inside of this case is ultra-soft, meaning it won’t damage your screen. The top portion of the sleeve folds over to keep your device in and everything else out!

Crochet iPad/ Tablet Case

 

Crochet Clutch Purse – Free Pattern

Want to make a cute Clutch Purse of your own? Check out the free pattern below!

A couple of weeks ago I started making the Crochet Posey Purse from Red Heart. I was halfway through the project when I came up with an idea for a smaller clutch-type purse. Since I tend to get really excited when I come up with an idea, I had to try it out right then. So I put my posey purse on the back burner, grabbed some pretty blue yarn from my stash and set to work on the clutch I had dreamed up.

After a couple of mini-prototypes and one full-sized fail I finally got it right. I was so excited with how it turned out. It was exactly like I had imagined. I couldn’t keep it to myself, so I wrote up a pattern. Creating the pattern ended up being harder than making the purse itself. Half the time I still have trouble even reading crochet patterns, let alone writing them!

I turned to the Ravelry community to check my pattern writing “skills.” If you haven’t heard, Ravelry is basically the Facebook for yarn lovers – except better! When I asked for an extra set of eyes to go over my pattern, I almost immediately got helpful responses. Sandy of Sandy’s Cape Cod Originals offered to take a look at what I had come up with. Kindly, she made many corrections, gave me great tips, and a lot of feedback. Sandy has over 30 years of experience crocheting and sells hundreds of crochet patterns on Etsy and Ravelry. I’m so grateful for all of her help.

After all was said and done I decided to offer the pattern for free both on my blog (see below) and on Ravelry. Please note that this pattern is for personal use only and may notbe sold, reprinted, or copied in any way without my express permission. If you decide to sell something you make from one of my patterns, I ask that you give credit to me as the pattern designer. I also ask that you include a link back to the free pattern, so that others may have the opportunity to make the item themselves. I’d love to see what you come up with! Let me know what you think! Good luck and happy crocheting!

Free PDF pattern download: Crochet Clutch Purse