Elves wandering around close to this craft (6)
I believe the answer is:
vessel
'craft' is the definition.
('vessel' can be a synonym of 'craft')
'elves wandering around close to this' is the wordplay.
'wandering' indicates anagramming the letters.
'around' indicates putting letters inside.
'close to' indicates one should take the final letters (the close/ending of).
The final letter of 'this' is 's'.
'elves' with letters rearranged gives 'vesel'.
'vesel' enclosing 's' is 'VESSEL'.
(Other definitions for vessel that I've seen before include "Watercraft or water container" , "Large boat; container" , "Ship, or receptacle for liquid" , "Decide on or establish" , "Bark, possibly, needing water" .)