Gifty Crochet

There are 98 days left until Christmas (or 99 until December 26th, my favorite day of the year.) You want to crochet gifts for family, friends, co-workers or others in your life, but you aren't sure of what to make, if you have enough time, if they'll like it, etc.

I'll weigh in first with your recipients. Some will love your crocheted gifts, and use them, and show them off to their family and friends. Some will not appreciate your efforts, and some of those people may say things that will hurt your feelings. You may want to surprise them, but since that may backlash on you, find out ahead of time if your recipient would like a crocheted gift.

Look, just ask, straight up, for a yes or no on the gift. There might be a discussion, which is good, or even a request for something, which is better. Only if they refuse, accept that and buy them something. Not everyone can value your time, talents and crocheted gifts, which in the end are better given to the more appreciative.

Now that you've found out how many people you have in your life who appreciate your crochet, use a favorite pattern for whatever you want to make. If you're new to crochet, this is probably not the time to learn a new, complicated pattern that may or may not turn out; go simple. For the more experienced, you'll probably want to use a pattern you know well and can make without migraines.

What to make: For adults, winter hats, scarves and socks or slippers are a good place to start; you can make a wearable in their favorite color(s). Market bags, purses or totes are also options. For children, smaller versions of wearables, amigurumi or other toys (be careful with the very young recipients and do not gift anything that can turn into a choking hazard.) For seniors, and I'll speak for my people here, anything that keeps us warm during winter (like ear warmers, mitts, wraps, lap blankets, etc.)

You can batch crochet the same project for everyone, but you may get bored making the same thing over and over. Your recipients may also feel that they're not special if they see you gifting everyone the same thing. My advice is to mix it up.

Also, remember those 98 days will go quickly. This year I'm making a blanket for a lovely friend of twenty years (who also requested it), another blanket for charity, and (maybe) a lap blanket for a neighbor, and that's all because it's enough work without being too much. Also, I do not want to spend the rest of the year making gifts for a holiday I personally despise.

If you're looking for ideas for patterns, here are three to get you started:

Bev's Basic Crocheted Hat: this one is made almost entirely of half double crochet stitches, requires only one skein of yarn, works up for a fast/experienced crocheter in one night, and you can add extra rows like I did with mine here to make a fold-up brim.

These one-hour crochet slippers may be the easiest of all time to make, plus there's a video tutorial.

I haven't made many toys this year, and I won't recommend the no-sew loaf cat pattern I used to make this one (it was a bit of a headache.) That said, simple ball-style amigurumi are relatively easy to crochet, and amigurumi patterns for the absolute beginner may be a good place to start if you've never attempted a toy pattern.

The Secret Yarnery has a tutorial and free pattern (in the video description on YouTube) that creates a nice scarf with granny stitches.

For those who want a bigger and slightly more ambitious project, I recommend a V-stitch lap blanket. The one I made last year is based on this free printable pattern from Lion Brand; mine is half again larger with wider stripes.

Also for the more ambitious (and experienced), the dragon egg dice bag (free printable pattern on Ravelry) makes up beautifully in whatever yarn you choose, and looks like something you bought at a D&D convention. I recommend Premier Farmstand yarn for this one (the smaller on the right), but Sweet Roll Vivid (the larger on the left) also makes a bigger, roomier bag.

Whatever you choose to crochet as gifts for your crew, make sure you have fun with it -- that way it doesn't become a grind. :)