Crochet Christmas

It’s December already!! How did that happen?! Fear not, there is still plenty of time to sort out a crochet Christmas if that’s what you want to do. In the past I’ve bust a gut trying to make something for everyone and to be perfectly honest, this year I just can’t be bothered! I’m still going to have a crochet Christmas though. ‘Course I am!!

First of all I’ve signed up to a couple of Secret Santa thingummies. One is for bloggy crafters (Stitching Santa) and the other is over on Instagram. Part of the deal for signing up is that you make handmade stuff.  The great thing is, is that I know that the participants will be as enthusiastic as me about handmade (whereas, who knows what friends and family think when I’m palming off handmade stuff on them?!).

Sooo first up I thought I’d make some wrist warmers. Quick, easy and very wearable. This year I’ve made a pair for myself and I’m making a pair each for my secret Santa peeps (the pair in the above pic are destined to be sent out). I used my own design from the Vintage Autumn set that I’ve got on Ravelry. I made the larger size as I want them to fit and whilst the small size fits me, I do have wrists like twigs. [In my last vlogcast I might have mentioned that wearing two lots of crochet at the same time was a bit like doing double denim, ie don’t do it! Therefore, the above picture amuses me as I manage three items whilst sitting on a crochet blanket!].

If making crochet presents is too stressy then you can always dec your halls instead. I’ve talked about these crochet baubles on the blog already and they have a post of their own Here. A brilliant use of scraps!

Some of my other favourite crochet decorations are some gorgeous Xmas puds from Planet June (you must check out all the other free patterns, including some more festive makes). I also found a toadstool decoration, I can’t remember if this is the pattern I’ve used but it looks like a good one. Toadstools look lovely on my tree!

I’m also doing a swap. I’m swapping some of my old makes with someone else’s, which is a brilliant way of getting something new and exciting for Christmas. Er, what else?… Well, there’s shopping! Tomorrow is Small Business Saturday. Find someone/something on Etsy, Folksy or check out local craft fairs to find independent makes that other people have worked so hard to create. I’m endeavouring to do a bit more of this this year. So far I’ve only managed to buy things  for myself though…

What are you doing for your crafty Christmas? Have you been super organised, or have you left it to the last minute like me?!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

x

 

Crochet Bauble Pattern & Tutorial!

Christmas is pretty much just around the corner, honestly, it’ll be here before you know it. I’ve noticed this year that crochet baubles are all the rage, so I’ve had a go at my own simple pattern. I’ve put together a tutorial for YouTube too, so if that’s more your thing then do jump across to my YouTube channel… Here is where you’ll find the crochet bauble video!

It’s always surprising just how quickly these work up and you will find yourself making loads and loads! The more the merrier with a crochet bauble. They look so good on a tree when there’s a gaggle of them (I’m not sure what the collective noun of a bauble should be so if you have any suggestions, let me know!).

Anyway, rather any further preamble, go get your decs out and get crocheting!

If you would like to support my crochet adventures, feel free to check out my other Free Patterns. Cheers! x

Things you need to Crochet Baubles

-6cm (diameter) baubles. Mine are from Sainsbury’s but I bought similar from Wilko’s last year. I think they’re a fairly standard bauble size.

-3mm hook.

-DK cotton in different colours. I’ve tried many brands and they’re all good: Paintbox, Drops,  Dmc Natura, Stylecraft Classique etc…

Notes:

  • Fasten off (FO) after each round and join the new colour with a ss (slip stitch) just to the right of where you fastened off.
  • If you want to avoid sewing in most ends, crochet over them as you go but it is worth sewing them in if you have the time and patience.
  • UK terms are used in the written pattern, I try to use both UK & US in the video. Things to remember are: a UK tr is a US dc. A UK dc is a US sc.
  • Make 2 of the pattern for each bauble.
  • Please read the whole pattern through before starting.

Crochet Bauble Pattern

Begin with a Magic Circle (or ch4 and join with a slip stitch).

  1. Ch1, 1tr, ch1, *tr2tog, ch1; rep from * 5 times, join with a ss to the top of the first petal. [6 “petals”]
  2. (Ch2, 1tr, ch1, tr2tog, ch1) in same space, (tr2tog, ch1, tr2tog, ch1) in each 1ch sp, join with a ss to the top of the first petal. [12 “petals”]
  3. Ch3, 2tr in first ch sp, 3tr in each ch sp around, join to top of the ch3. [12 clusters]
  4. Ch2, 1htr in each st around. [36 st]
  5. Ch1, 1dc in each st around, join with ss.

Make two halves. Sew in the first and last ends. Do not FO after round 5 on the second half. Place both halves together, right sides out and ss together, facing loops only. Just over half way, wriggle the bauble into its jacket and continue to ss together. This can be fiddly but it’s worth it! Sew in last end, using it to tidy around the hanging bit of the bauble if you need to.

And the next instruction is to make several!! As I said earlier, with crochet baubles, in my opinion it’s a case of the more the merrier. And Christmas is always a time to be merry (and bright!).

Fancy giving it a go?! Please do give me a shout if you have found the pattern/tutorial useful. A thumbs up on YouTube helps too, I understand it gets more reach or some such thing. Thank you very much!

Also, please feel free to go ahead and share a link to this pattern. Sharing is truly marvellous! But I ask (really rather nicely, please, thank you, please) that you credit Zeens and Roger if you do. Thanks again.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Ho Ho Ho! It’s nearly Christmas…

mirror dec'd

It’s a bit thin on the ground this week. There are some things I can’t show and then there is also the loss of any crafty oomph. I just can’t be bothered. Meh. However, I have decked the halls, which is something and it feels lovely and festive. Hmm, the tinsel around the bannister looks pathetic, I’d better sort that out.

this year's tree.

For the first time in twelve years we have a real tree!! We were sick to death of the stupid plastic one. Didn’t like it to begin with. The smell of this year’s choice is totally awesome. We went to Cotley Farm in Whimple and within minutes, had picked out this one. We got it home and found that it was too tall, so off with its head. We didn’t mean to get such a big tree but it obviously wanted to get in our car and come back home with us.

christmas decorations

I bought some teeny painted toadstools. They are my delightful decorations for this year. I like to get something new every year but we are becoming overloaded with decorations and are having to be more selective about what goes on the branches. Not such a bad thing. And it didn’t stop me buying some cute little robins in sale yesterday.

handmade gingie

We finished Eldest boy’s gingerbread man too. He got bored after a few minutes so I helped. He tried very hard.

boy made elf boot

His effort last year is what inspired my elf boots this year.  He randomly cut this boot shape and we stitched it together. The other boy is being naughty riding his bike indoors. With wellies on!

christmas star

I still need to write out my Christmas cards. Not sure if I’ve done enough. I might have to do some more. Stamping was satisfying yet messy. I got a lino cutting kit last Christmas and am putting it to use this Christmas.

not quite finished coraline

A glimpse of one of the bigger projects of the week. I’ve been doing little bits of many projects rather than sticking to one and completing it. Therefore, this lady has no face and has only just gained hair and a coat. I am a big procrastinator. I know what I should be doing but I’d rather read my book. Or fart about online.

So, general mood of the week is, pffft. I’ll stick my face in the Christmas tree in a minute, to give myself a boost. I might be around next week, I’m not sure. I guess it depends on whether I get my craft on good and proper.