Bitten by the Designing Bug

I seriously have been bitten by the designing bug. Since I posted by dice bag here and started offering my Stargate Earth Dishcloth as a free Ravelry download all I can think about is designing. I've even started a new notebook dedicated to brainstorming design ideas.

Though, I think my only problem is actually following through with all of these ideas. There are certain projects that will probably have patterns written sooner than others, but I have no idea how many I'll actually finish. I will be offering a mixture of free patterns and patterns with a low cost. Dishcloths will cost around $2, Amigurumi patterns will be between $2-6, Scarves and mittens will be between $3-8, Sweaters and shawls will be between $8-15. This is just my best guess for now, as the price won't be decided upon until after the full pattern is written.

I also hope to start dyeing yarn. I've acquired a good deal of clearanced Easter egg dye and inexpensive packets of unsweetened drink mix. It's in the plans.

My mind is so full of ideas!

Basic Crocheted Dice Bag

This is the first free pattern I have to offer. I have made two of these so far - one for my husband (Ryan) and one for our friend JJ. This is so super easy that I'm surprised I haven't found directions for it online. That's okay - means I can write it out and "officially" become a designer.

Basic Crocheted Dice Bag

Materials Needed:
Size I (5.5mm) crochet hook
1 skein of yarn - your choice (you only use about 1/4 of the skein for this project)
Yarn needle

Techniques used:
Chain stitch
Single Crochet
Creating Eyelets

Instructions:
Chain 56
Slip stitch to join into circle. Place stitch marker if desired to mark beginning of round.
Rounds 1-24: Single crochet in back loop of each single crochet.
Round 25: *Chain 3, skip 3 single crochet, 4 single crochet in the next 4 single crochets, repeat from * until the end of the round.
Rounds 26-28: Single crochet in back loop of each single crochet.
Finish off.

Sew bottom edge closed with either whipstitching or a running stitch and weave in ends. Turn bag right side out (sewing is now on the inside).

Drawstrings:
Either purchase cording or make two braids measuring 18" long.
Weave one cord through the eyelet loops. Tie ends together
Starting on the other side, weave the other cord through the eyelet holes in the opposite direction. Tie ends together.

And you are finished! Just pull on the ends to keep your roleplaying dice or other small trinkets safe. Happy gaming!

Pattern Edit: After getting some feedback about this pattern (especially with crocheting it in the round and then seaming the bottom), another way to start the dice bag would be to chain 28 and to work both sides of the chain to create an oval with a total of 56 chains. This would eliminate the need for seaming.