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!)

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!

Feileacan Shawl - Gaelic for "Butterfly"

I love butterflies.  Their grace and beauty always catch my attention and I smile as I watch one flutter by.  If I have time, I run to grab my camera and try to photograph the visitor - I never tire of the challenge it is to catch them in a photo frame.  This is a gray hairstreak that visited our backyard earlier this spring.


For the 2014 CGOA Design Competition I decided to incorporate the butterfly shape into a new Celtic Knot design.  I carefully created the butterfly motifs with the over-under woven details. (Feileacan (pronounced "Fay - leh - kahn") means 'butterfly' in Gaelic.) Then I linked them together so they would cascade down the center of the back of the shawl.  For each side I came up with a stitch that mimics the patterns found in butterfly wings.

I was thrilled to have this design and my Celtic Coral Charm selected as the Technical Merit Award winner sponsored by Designing Vashti.
Now you can make a Feileacan Shawl by following the instructions in the Summer 2015 issue of Crochet! magazine.

I used the new Lotus Yarn by Designing Vashti in the Teal Glimmer color.  I love how the yarn has a unique sparkle in the bright sunshine.  You can purchase this yarn here.

Make sure to check my Ravelry page (here) for this design since there are corrections to the printed instructions.

Formal Jewelry by Karen McKenna

 



Today I would like to share about Karen McKenna's new book, Formal Jewelry, published by Leisure Arts. (www.leisurearts.com)

I had the pleasure of meeting Karen this past summer in Manchester, NH for the annual CGOA conference.  She is easy to talk to and so kind that you feel like you have already known her for years.  It was fun to discover that our designs were in many of the same publications and I'm glad we've kept in touch since then. 

First of all, the book is beautiful! All of the photographs (by Jason Masters and Ken West) are wonderful and perfectly highlight all of Karen's jewelry projects (which range from necklaces to barefoot sandals).  They capture the 'dreamy' quality that weddings and formal events evoke as we prepare for and experience them.

At the beginning of every project's instructions it is written to first check the Basic Technique's section at the end of the book.  This Basic Technique section is full of excellent graphics explaining all the crochet and jewelry making skills you need to complete every project.  I especially like the step-by-step photos of how to use a 'bead stop' when stringing beads and how to use an eye-pin and end cone when finishing your piece.  Knowing the proper finishing techniques makes a big difference in how good (and professional) your project will look in the end - It is great that Karen's book takes the time to explain these steps with such clear diagrams.  Another bonus  - different sizes are written with varying colors.

And if you learn better by having someone show you how to do the various crochet and jewelry techniques, then you must check out the on-line videos on Leisure Art's website.  The videos (which take you through every step of each project) are of the highest quality and very helpful.

The only thing I would have liked to see included in this book is a list of jewelry tools needed for all projects put together - perhaps in the technique section - and some photos of the thread used (in skein form).  Although, the lists of supplies and information for each project are very clear and thorough on every page.

I wanted to try a project since I love metallic thread and beads.  So, I picked the Floating Pearl Necklace found on page 20 (It's also the necklace pictured on the cover).  I used some light pink metallic thread and 6mm pink pearls that I had on hand.  I was able to complete the necklace in less than 30 minutes and I love the results! The pearls go great with the metallic thread!

I would most definitely recommend this book to any crocheter - especially one who was planning a wedding or looking to go to a fun night out in a fancy dress.  I could see a wedding party getting together to make these in the wedding colors.  Karen's simply elegant jewelry designs would be the perfect accessory.