A CROCHET GIFT (WISH) LIST.

Print this list out and post it on your refrigerator door.  It’s full of items that every crocheter would like to see in her (or his) gift ‘loot’.  Some will fit into stockings, others won’t.  Some are costly, others are very inexpensive.  Never hurts to remind those around us (who often benefit from the efforts of our hooks and hands) what goodies we’d appreciate receiving.

Now, anyone can go get you a gift card from a yarn or craft shop – and we ALL love receiving those.  But, it’s also nice to actually have a gift in the package, right?  Here are some ideas that might not jump immediately to mind but that are very useful.

I’m quite color ‘challenged’ even though I know what colors I like.  But, combining colors to create an amazing project is daunting for me.  This tool is very helpful:

http://joann.com/joann/catalog/productdetail.jsp?pageName=search&flag=true&PRODID=prd3031

I’m forever losing my place in the pattern.  This helps:

http://joann.com/joann/search/searchall.jsp?keyword=row%20counter&catPath=All%20Products////Product%20Home////UserSearch1=row%20counter&_requestid=311946

Better than a regular gauge tool, this one will measure the size of hooks that are unmarked (homemade, antique, worn, plastic, etc.):

http://www.anniesattic.com/detail.html?prod_id=21771&source=froogle

This tool does an even better job of measuring hooks.  Plus, you’ll really look like you know what you’re doing!!

http://www.hartvilletool.com/product/11869

No one will ever go wrong if they give/receive a yarn winder.  This is the best price I’ve seen (on sale $22.99).  They come in all price ranges up to $100.  I’m not sure if more expensive is better – but some are powered by electricity.  This one would be powered by your own hand – my preference unless I was darn sure there were no huge snags in a skein I was winding!

http://store.knitting-warehouse.com/072803.html

Finally, even if you’re not very computer savvy, you might like to print off a bunch of free patterns from the internet.  Having a ‘thumb drive’ or flash drive handy will store more than any crochet pattern book you’ll ever own – and for cheap.  They’re readily available from Walmart to many online sites.  If you’re unsure how to use one, stop into a computer store and they’ll tell you how.  Many are priced at well under $25.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/123793/23_things_to_do_with_a_thumb_drive.html