So…I decided to teach myself Tunisian crochet. Found a simple enough looking pattern on Ravelry and gave it a shot! Very happy with how it turned out.
Read more about my experience here: https://neenscrochetcorner.wordpress.com/2016/05/30/tunisian-crochet/
Free pattern by Amy Depew can be found here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/aspen-bag