Designer Ashlee Elle is well-known for creating colorful, retro outfits. Now, in her debut book. Retro Crochet: Vibrant Vintage-Inspired Looks from the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, she offers up a how-to guide for those who want to crochet throwback fashions of their own. The book contains beautiful, fun, eye-catching crochet designs to wear, as well as accessories, including the Power Flower Crochet Bag. Below, I’m sharing Ashlee’s Power Flower Crochet Bag tutorial from the book with the publisher’s permission.
The Power Flower Crochet Bag tutorial
Excerpted from Retro Crochet by Ashlee Elle. Copyright © 2022 Rocky Nook. Reprinted with permission from Rocky Nook. San Rafael, CA. All rights reserved.
When you’re capturing the spirit of the 1970s, you can never have enough floral print. The big flower design on both sides makes this a statement bag despite its effortlessly casual style. This long-strapped bag can be worn over the shoulder or across the body.
Materials
YARN: Red Heart Super Saver; 100% Acrylic (364 yards/198 meters); medium #4 Pretty In Pink (Color A), Medium Purple (Color B), Bright Yellow (Color C): 1 skein each (project used less than half each skein)
HOOK: US size 7 (4.5mm) crochet hook
EXTRAS: 1 [9 × 12] felt square (pink), craft scissors, measuring tape, fabric glue or hot glue gun, sewing needle, matching thread, fabric pen, yarn needle
GAUGE: 11 HDC STS/10 HDC ROWS = 4″
Measurements
7.5 inches length × 8.5 inches width
The pattern
The bag is worked flat with the graphic on the front panel and the back left plain.
Starting the project [Power Flower Crochet Bag tutorial]
CH 21.
R1: [Color A] CH 2. (Turning Chain at the beginning of the row, does not count as a ST.) HDC into all of the STS for the entire row. At the end of the row, turn work to continue.
FROM LEFT SIDE: R2: [Color A] CH 2, HDC 6 STS—[Color B] HDC 2 STS—[Color A] HDC 13 STS. At the end of the row, turn work to continue.
RIGHT SIDE: R3: [Color A] CH 2, HDC 5 STS—[Color B] HDC 3 STS—[Color A] HDC 4 STS—[Color B] HDC 5 STS—[Color A] HDC 4 STS. At the end of the row, turn work to continue.
LEFT SIDE: R4: [Color A] CH 2, HDC 4 STS—[Color B] HDC 6 STS—[Color A] HDC 2 STS—[Color B] HDC 5 STS—[Color A] HDC 4 STS. At the end of the row, turn work to continue.
RIGHT SIDE: R5: [Color A] CH 2, HDC 4 STS—[Color B] HDC 13 STS—[Color A] HDC 4 STS. At the end of the row, turn work to continue.
LEFT SIDE: R6: [Color A] CH 2, HDC 4 STS—[Color B] HDC 13 STS—[Color A] HDC 4 STS. At the end of the row, turn work to continue.
RIGHT SIDE: R7: [Color A] CH 2, HDC 4 STS—[Color B] HDC 5 STS—[Color C] HDC 3 STS—[Color B] HDC 4 STS—[Color A] HDC 5 STS. At the end of the row, turn work to continue.
LEFT SIDE: R8: [Color A] CH 2, HDC 6 STS—[Color B] HDC 2 STS—[Color C] HDC 4 STS—[Color B] HDC 4 STS—[Color A] HDC 5 STS. At the end of the row, turn work to continue.
RIGHT SIDE: R9: [Color A] CH 2, HDC 4 STS—[Color B] HDC 4 STS—[Color C] HDC 5 STS—[Color B] HDC 4 STS—[Color A] HDC 4 STS. At the end of the row, turn work to continue.
LEFT SIDE: R10: [Color A] CH 2, HDC 3 STS—[Color B] HDC 5 STS—[Color C] HDC 4 STS—[Color B] HDC 6 STS—[Color A] HDC 3 STS. At the end of the row, turn work to continue.
RIGHT SIDE: R11: [Color A] CH 2, HDC 2 STS—[Color B] HDC 8 STS—[Color C] HDC 2 STS—[Color B] HDC 7 STS—[Color A] HDC 2 STS. At the end of the row, turn work to continue.
LEFT SIDE: R12: [Color A] CH 2, HDC 2 STS—[Color B] HDC 17 STS—[Color A] HDC 2 STS. At the end of the row, turn work to continue.
RIGHT SIDE: R13: [Color A] CH 2, HDC 3 STS—[Color B] HDC 15 STS—[Color A] HDC 3 STS. At the end of the row, turn work to continue.
LEFT SIDE: R14: [Color A] CH 2, HDC 4 STS—[Color B] HDC 2 STS—[Color A] HDC 2 STS—[Color B] HDC 5 STS—[Color A] HDC 2 STS—[Color B] HDC 2 STS—[Color A] HDC 4 STS. At the end of the row, turn work to continue.
RIGHT SIDE: R15: [Color A] CH 2, HDC 8 STS—[Color B] HDC 5 STS—[Color A] HDC 8 STS. At the end of the row, turn work to continue.
LEFT SIDE: R16: [Color A] CH 2, HDC 9 STS—[Color B] HDC 4 STS—[Color A] HDC 8 STS. At the end of the row, turn work to continue.
RIGHT SIDE: R17: [Color A] CH 2, HDC 9 STS—[Color B] HDC 3 STS—[Color A] HDC 9 STS. At the end of the row, turn work to continue.
LEFT SIDE: R18: [Color A] CH 1, SC into all the STS for the entire row. At the end of the row, turn work to continue.
Note: For Finishing Technique: CH 1, SC around the entire finished piece once with 3 SC in each corner. At the end of the round, SL ST at the end of the round to complete final work. Fasten off. Weave in ends.
Creating the back panel for the bag
CH 21.
R1: [Color A] CH 2, SK 2, HDC into all of the CH for the row. At the end of each row, turn work to continue.
R2-R17: [Color A] CH 2, HDC into all of the STS for all of the rows. At the end of each row, turn work to continue.
R18: [Color A] CH 1, SC into all of the STS for the entire row. At the end of the row, SL ST to complete work for this section.
Note: For finishing technique: CH 1, SC around the entire finished piece once with 3 SC in each corner. At the end of the round, SL ST to complete final work. Fasten off. Weave in ends.
Attaching the fabric lining
Cut two sets of fabric from the fat square. Cut around the finished crochet FRONT AND BACK PANEL pieces a little less than 7.5 inches length × 7.25 inches width. Sew or utilize fabric glue adhesive to apply the fabric to the back of the finished crochet pieces.
Sewing the back and front panels together
Next, use the yarn needle and three sets of a long strand of Color A to sew both vertical sides and the horizontal bottom of the bag, FRONT AND BACK together, leaving the top open.
Creating the straps
CH 50, CH 2, SK 2, HDC for one row to create the strap. At the end of the row, SL ST to complete work.
Next, using the yarn needle and two sets of a long strand of Color A, sew each strap [LEFT AND RIGHT CORNER SIDES] to the TOP sides of the bag [R18]. Fasten off. Weave in ends.
Power Flower Crochet Bag Tutorial – Done!
A few words from designer Ashlee Elle
Excerpted from Retro Crochet by Ashlee Elle. Copyright © 2022 Rocky Nook. Reprinted with permission from Rocky Nook. San Rafael, CA. All rights reserved.
I never imagined that my crafty beginnings would lead me here…
Crocheting started as a fun activity I did with my family. I’d gather around with my aunts on Fridays for craft night. We’d eat, talk, and laugh, and I learned the joys that came from a hook, yarn, and my own imagination. I fell in love with the endless possibilities and hoped that I’d get to a point where I could bring all the creations that dwelled in my mind to life. I’ve always loved art of all kinds: poetry, painting, photography, and there’s just something so tangible about crocheting. An unmistakable connection between myself and the piece I’m making drew me in from the first stitch.
As I grew older and kept working at it, family and friends encouraged me to take my talents a step further. I started my crochet blog in 2010, cultivating a social media presence to share my work and found a community of other like-minded individuals who found beauty in bundles of yarn. The more I learned, crocheted, practiced, and experimented, the better I got and the more in love I became with the craft. I was bringing my dreams to life! It was only fitting that I called it The Dream Crochet.
The Dream Crochet has become my bastion of peace in a daunting world. It’s easier for me to express my true feelings through art, and for that, I’m forever grateful. I’ve had my share of obstacles that I’ve had to overcome. At times, it can be difficult to make sense of it all. As an introvert, I’m not one to put myself out there for no reason, so crocheting became the outlet I needed to express what I keep hidden. The whimsical backgrounds, the stories, the handmade creations all helped me feel more myself! Passions can feel like such a frivolous thing, though when you create something with your heart, it puts everything into perspective. My true soul is never more apparent than when it’s in the form of my art. My true self!
This craft has grown beyond my wildest imaginations, and now I get to present The Dream Crochet’s Retro Crochet that will take you on a fashion journey through the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s with original and timeless pieces. This book will show how the past can be reimagined and brought into the modern era with wearable and stylish looks. It will be your guide to create handmade accessories and clothing influenced by generations of iconic staples we know and love with a fresh twist.
My greatest dream is that these designs will spark your own dream creations.
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Are you going to try the Power Flower Crochet Bag tutorial?
Ashlee Elle is so creative! Are you into crochet? What’s your favorite DIY activity or creative hobby?
Also, what are your favorite things about 70s fashion? For me, it’s the floral shirts!
I was addicted to crocheting for years! It’s relaxing, and you end up with something!
You’re so creative!