Christmas Gift Idea

Do you like to crochet gifts for your family and friends?  I have been crocheting gifts for others since I was a little girl.  Back then it was an affordable way to show how much I appreciated each recipient and I loved the creative process of brainstorming unique ideas for each person.

Now I have much less time than I did back then so I don't get to make as many gifts as I would like.  And with the ability to order everything under the sun on the internet, making a special gift has become even more valuable to me. I think giving someone a handmade gift is like giving them a big long-lasting hug that says, "You are very special to me."

Are you like me in that you love to make gifts for others but you lack time and have too many ideas?

Well, here is a simple but elegant scarf that was in the Oct. 2015 issue of Crochet World -
Bangle Bead Scarf.

This scarf is very classy and almost like a necklace.  It is crocheted with Berroco's Captiva - a beautiful yarn that is a shiny silk-like combination of cotton, polyester and acrylic. See more colors here.  The scarf shown is crocheted in the Garnet color.

I found the scarf bails (large metal tube-like findings) on Ebay and the sparkly beads at Hobby Lobby.  With all of the colors and beads available now, the possibilities are endless so you can make one for each of your friends but no two will look alike.

(Even though this pattern is in an issue from 2015, you can still purchase it here for just $5.99  - the Oct. 2015 issue will download instantly to your computer and you'll have 18 more patterns, too!)

Last Minute Hostess and Kid Gifts!

 

Would you like to take something unique to the next Christmas party you go to for a hostess gift? Or do you need to make a cute little something for some special kids in your life?

Then I have two fun projects for you!

Back in July I wrote a guest blog post for Red Heart here titled, "Christmas Ruffle Tree".  It was part of their "Christmas in July" blog fun.  It is a different way to use their Sashay ruffle yarn - all you need is one skein of Sashay, a Styrofoam cone, your crochet hook and some sewing pins.  On the blog you'll see several photos with detailed steps of how to make your tree (including how to cover the cone with matching fabric). This tutorial is FREE!



The instructions for these Funny Finger Friends can be found on page 36 of the current issue of Crochet World (Dec. 2015) - which you can download here or purchase at your local craft store or bookstore.

            

These also use a Styrofoam insert to help give it the sphere shape along with basic amigurimi techniques.  They can be worked up in an afternoon and will provide hours of giggly fun.

 

 

 

Deep Red Cowls for Christmas Gifts

This is a great time of year to wear red!  This Bangle Bead Scarf from the October issue of Crochet World (you can purchase here ) works up very quickly with Berroco's Captiva yarn.



Captiva (see Ravelry page here ) has a lovely sheen and when paired with the silver scarf bails and beads shown here, makes for an eye-catching one-of-a-kind cowl.


(I recently wore this project over a mint green sweater and received several compliments.)














This Crimson Beaded Neck Wrap also makes a great Christmas gift or accessory to wear to a Christmas-themed event.  This was crocheted with Caron's Simply Soft yarn and the edgings include glass beads.  The instructions for this cowl can be found in the October issue of the digital magazine, I Like Crochet.

 



There is still time to make either one of these for someone you love this Christmas!

Quick Snowflake Projects

 

Well, it is that time of year again when the snowflakes will soon start to fall - at least in our part of the country.  Our family loves to watch the snow fall in the winter especially around Christmastime.  We are still waiting eagerly for the first official snowfall but until then, I'll enjoy the various snowflake ornaments and decorations we have up around the house.



I love the beautiful designs of snowflakes so much that I created two designs that are in the current issues of Crochet! and Crochet World magazines.




This Snowflake Photo Ornament can easily be made in an afternoon and given as a unique gift complete with your own special photo inside. You can purchase a print or digital copy of Crochet World magazine - December 2015 - here.


The Snow Crystal Cowl would make another perfect gift for someone who loves winter or to wear to your next Christmas party.  (I think it would be a great accessory to wear to a Frozen-themed party as well!)  For this project I used a double-strand of a luxurious mohair and silk yarn  - Stacy Charles "Luna" (see Ravelry page here )in a beautiful blue.  Each of the snowflakes was crocheted with a very classy silk metallic yarn by the same manufacturer - "Stella" (see Ravelry page here ). Both yarns have an elegant metallic sheen that gives the look of real ice or glass.




This pattern and many other great winter projects in the Winter 2015 issue of Crochet! magazine can be downloaded here.


 

Free Pattern - Great Last Minute Christmas Gift!

Merry Christmas!

Here is another very quick Christmas gift idea for you:



WOVEN NECKLACE


 

This necklace is a FREE pattern and can be found here at www.redheart.com.

This chunky style necklace is made with Metallic Sashay Ruffle yarn in a unique way - This yarn is usually used to make ruffley scarves but I decided to crochet with it coming right off the ball.  Then the long chains are woven together in a special pattern to make the attractive center piece.

All instructions and diagrams can be found in the pattern.

I think this could make a great Christmas gift in red and white or red and green using the beautiful Sashay yarns.

Merry Mistletoe

Can you believe Thanksgiving has gone by and it's time to get ready for Christmas?

Our family loves to start decorating for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving.  We have a great time going to cut our tree down at a local farm and spending the rest of the weekend putting up our Christmas décor.  Today I look forward to putting up this decoration I designed - Merry Mistletoe.

 

Its sprigs (made out of Red Heart Soft Yarn) will never wither or dry out. You can hang this mistletoe every year in hopes to create many kissable moments.  It also would make a great hostess gift for your next Christmas party.

 

This design can be found in the current December issue of Crochet World -

on newsstands now or at www.crochet-world.com

 

 

 

Coming up in the next few weeks - crocheted Christmas gift ideas!