Crochet

Patterns, projects and techniques

APRIL GIVEAWAY – WEEK #1

by

Do you like old crochet and craft books?  I do!  I have a house full of them.  When I find them at a garage sale or thrift store, I grab them and buy the whole lot.  When I get home, I  discover duplicates.  So, this week, I’m offering a DOZEN of my authentically elderly books for the April Giveaway.

First is this little Coats and Clark book from 1967.  It’s mostly knit, but has several crochet patterns, including some lovely afghan stitch mittens.  The other 11 books are old copies of Workbasket Magazine.  These are not in mint condition – NOT.  But, they are intact and full of amazing patterns, recipes, gardening tips, etc.  If you’re not familiar with Workbasket, you’ve been missing out!

READ THE RULES BELOW THEN ANSWER THIS WEEK’S QUESTION:

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO CROCHET FOR SPRING, 2010?

Here are the rules:

Each item will be mailed to the winner by USPS – books by media mail.  For now, this contest will only be open to participants with a U.S. mailing address.

This is how it will work.  Each Monday, I’ll pose a question on my blog.  Everyone who answers the questions will be entered in the drawing on the last day of that month.  Some ‘answers’ may require you to post a link to a specific pattern or site.  The winner will be announced along with the next Monday’s question.  The winner will have 48 hours to contact me with mailing information.  If the winner doesn’t contact me, the prize will be offered on another occasion.

RESPONSES MUST BE POSTED HERE AND NOT EMAILED TO ME PRIVATELY OR POSTED ELSEWHERE FOR ENTRY.

TO MAKE IT CRYSTAL CLEAR, THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON THE DAY OF EACH MONTH (OR SHORTLY THEREAFTER) AND THE WINNER MUST EMAIL ME ([email protected]) WITHIN 48 HOURS OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT.  So, for sanity’s sake, that deadline will really mean that I need to hear from you no later than 8 PM the following Monday (so you have plenty of time to email me and I’ll get the email for sure even if I don’t sign on to my email on a Sunday).

Simply enter to win by leaving a comment on this post answering the question posed.

Comments

  1. (Ooh, vintage crochet!)

    I’m planning to crochet a few doilies this spring. I’m almost finished with my first one ever, and I’m already excited to try another. (I know some people think doilies are old-fashioned– but that’s actually part of the reason I like them!) I think they’ll be great warm-weather projects, since they’re so small and lightweight.

  3. I am very excited to be crocheting bamboo, linen and rafia hats for this Spring/Summer 2010. Switching over to light weight, unique fiber yarns so we can keep out UV rays and stay cool!!! I just made pink bamboo aviator cap – unique and beautiful.

  4. Ideally.. a jellyfish with pink blue and purple for my daughter. Maybe a matching set of rabbits, one for her, and one for my son. I’d also really like to make some bibs for a friends upcoming baby to be. I haven’t quite found something to make for myself though, unfortunately, lol. 🙂

  5. There’s a bundle of joy coming in June. I’m planning on crocheting a onesie & booties, of course both in cotton yarn!

  7. I’ve found some great patterns for crocheted swimsuits and am hoping that if I start in Spring then I’ll have one ready for summer. It requires a little bit of sewing (lining) though and I’m not too good with that yet so we’ll just have to see.

  8. I’m crocheting socks! I made some heavier, furry socks for winter and now I want to branch out into lighter, spring socks.

    I also am crocheting a doormat out of hemp string (like you might use for macrame) and acrylic yarn in rainbow colors. It’s not specifically for spring, but it’s spring and I’m making it for now, so I think it counts.

  9. I am making a scarf for a new friend of mine. She just celebrated her 86th birthday and is a lovely lady. I am also double crocheting all my odd ends of yarn into a multiple color afghan to be given to displaced families at an Indian reservation in Tucson, AZ.

  11. I have a feeling my entire spring and most of my summer will be spent crocheting a Christmas present for my brother 🙂 It’s a huge picture afghan with a golf theme – I am SO excited!

  12. I’m going to crochet a bird’s nest that’ll hold some old mercury glass eggs I have. After that, it’ll be time to start working on a blanket for my first grandchild.

  13. I’m finishing up a couple of baby blankets. After that, I’m planning to make 2 cute crochet dresses for the youngest 2 baby grands.

  14. I plan to make a little “pocket purse” for my 13-yo granddaughter. And I want to make a doily. Of course more dishcloths. LOL! And whatever else catches my eyes. Plus, my dgd asked me to make her an afghan. It will be my first ripple pattern, and I am looking forward to that.

  15. Right now I’m crocheting a broomstick lace scarf without a pattern. I can’ decide whether to sell it, keep it, or give it away.

  17. I want to try crocheting recycled strips of the ubiquitous thin plastic grocery/shopping bags into a sturdy reusable bag.

  20. I am finishing up a baby outfit, dress, bloomers and hat for my first great-grandchild due in July, and I am also starting a lavender coat for her. Yes, we know it is a girl. Can’t wait, first great-grandchild from first grandchild’s wife.

  21. I am going to make a shawl to wear in stores and restaurants and church. I am also going to make a light weight blanket to use while watching TV.

  22. I’m working on my monsterous afghan project for my grandparents 50th anniversary, hopefully I’ll be done in time- only three more months.

  23. I want to crochet myself a shell top and skirt to match using a lightweight boucle yarn. I also am in the process of teaching myself to do fine crochet as I want to make edgings for pillowcases, towels, sheets, etc. and some crochet motifs and flowers for embellishments on crazy quilt blocks and other projects I am working on at this time.

  24. Hi, this is not an entry for the contest but I am looking for knitting clothing pieces that were popular during the mid 1960’s and early 1970’s particularly for skirt, long/short sleeved tops, cardigans and dresses using lightweight boucle yarn…I knitted quite a few clothing pieces but am unable to find the pattern books…If you happen to run across a magazine/patterns/pattern book that is from the time period and has patterns for clothing, please let me know. I have turned my house upside down trying to find the patterns but so far have had no luck. I would appreciate it very much. Thanks, Marilynne

  26. OH MY! I just got 3 large show boxes of old Workbaskets that were my grandmother’s (she past this last Sept)! I love those books. About 5 years ago I bid, and won, an E-Bay auction of a large box of them too. I still haven’t gotten through them all because I keep crocheting coasters & doilies from them! LOL

  27. I will be crocheting baby hats to be donated to military hospitals. The hats are for the newborns of military personnel who are deployed, about to be deployed or just returning.

  30. hi marilynne,
    have you visited the knitting blog on craftgossip to ask about the knitting patterns? terrye kinch is the editor there and might offer more help than any of the crocheters – altho’ many people both knit and crochet. good luck with your search!
    jd

  31. lovely things and stuff, i can remrmber the magazine from years ago, my mother and my aunts used this book alot. it would be nice to have one in my own hands. thank you…

  32. i’m kniting and crocheting infant hats for a local hospital. love to have one those books, they bring back alot of memories. thank you…

  33. At times I test patterns, and am now using one of the patterns to crochet a stole for my daughter. Haven’t decided if she will get it for her birthday or Christmas.

Have you read?

14 Free Crochet Christmas Ornament Patterns for Yarn Scraps and Handmade Gifts

There is something lovely about unpacking a Christmas ornament and remembering who made it. A slightly wonky bow, a tiny crocheted hat, a little snowman with more personality than his size should allow. Those are the decorations that earn their place on the tree year after year.

These free crochet Christmas ornament patterns include miniature trees, wreaths, baubles, woodland decorations, candy cane holders and nostalgic little keepsakes. Some are easy projects for crocheters who know the basics, while others offer a little more detail for anyone who enjoys thread crochet or miniature amigurumi.

They are also a very good excuse to investigate the leftover yarn basket. You know, the one containing several almost-finished balls you have been saving for “something small”. This is something small.

Each link below takes you to the designer’s pattern page. Many offer free instructions online alongside an optional paid printable PDF, so check the page before heading straight to the shop button.

Which Crochet Christmas Ornament Should You Make First?

Here are a few starting points to help narrow down the festive temptation.

What you want to makeStart with
An easy ornament using very little yarnWhitefield Wreath
A small project without stuffingMini Santa Hat
A tiny stuffed Christmas decorationTiny Christmas Tree
An ornament that holds a treatGingerbread or Reindeer Candy Cane Holder
A textured cover for a plain baubleHopscotch Bauble
A detailed thread crochet keepsakePoinsettia Flower
A project for using odd buttonsCrochet Button Angel

Small does not always mean beginner friendly. Fine thread, tiny stitches and fiddly finishing can take more concentration than a larger project, so choose by construction as well as appearance.

Easy Crochet Ornaments and Small Yarn Projects

1. Whitefield Wreath Ornament

A little green wreath with a red bow is hard to beat for traditional Christmas charm. Banana Moon Studio’s design uses bobble stitches to create texture, giving the wreath a lovely rounded appearance.

The designer rates it easy and lists approximately 12 yards of worsted weight yarn, plus yarn or ribbon for the finishing details. The finished wreath measures about 3½ inches across.

This is a particularly useful choice when you have a small amount of green yarn left over. Make a matching group, or try cream wreaths with burgundy bows for a softer colour scheme.

Find the free crochet wreath ornament pattern at Banana Moon Studio.

2. Mini Santa Hat Ornament

GoldenLucyCrafts’ little Santa hat delivers plenty of Christmas cheer without needing a stuffed body or lots of separate pieces.

The pattern is rated easy and uses medium weight yarn with a 3.5 mm hook. The finished hat is approximately 2 inches tall after folding.

Classic red and white is an obvious choice, but a collection in pink, sage and cream would be lovely too. Keep any added decorations small so they do not overwhelm the hat.

Follow the free mini Santa hat crochet pattern at GoldenLucyCrafts.

3. Flat Crochet Christmas Bell

Hookfully’s cheerful bell has a face, rosy cheeks and a little bow. It is a good option if you like character ornaments but would rather make a flat decoration than a stuffed figure.

The designer rates the pattern easy. It uses DK weight yarn, with approximately 27 yards listed, and measures around 9.5 cm square.

For beginners, a smooth yarn will generally make the stitches easier to see than a fluffy or velvet yarn. Choose the texture you will enjoy working with, rather than struggling through something simply because it looks lovely in the photograph.

Visit Hookfully for the free flat crochet Christmas bell pattern.

4. Crochet Button Angel

Our CraftBits button angel combines crocheted pieces with ribbon, buttons and a sparkling halo. It has that lovely craft-box Christmas feeling, especially if you use a button with a little family history.

The wings begin as a small crocheted rectangle that is gathered in the middle. A separate crocheted body and the decorative pieces complete the angel.

This is a mixed craft project, so allow time for assembly as well as crochet. It is a lovely way to turn an odd button and a few yarn scraps into a keepsake.

Make your own with our crochet button angel ornament tutorial.

Tiny Amigurumi Christmas Tree Decorations

5. Tiny Crochet Christmas Tree

The Nicole Chase’s miniature tree is approximately 2 inches tall using the suggested worsted weight yarn and 4 mm hook.

This is a stuffed, three-dimensional tree worked in the round. The materials list calls for small amounts of green, brown and red yarn, making it a useful project for coordinated leftovers.

I would make a small collection in different greens, then keep the hanging loops the same colour to bring the group together. These would also look sweet tied onto wrapped gifts.

Get the free Tiny Christmas Tree crochet pattern from The Nicole Chase.

6. Tiny Snowman Ornament

A miniature snowman wearing a little hat is exactly the sort of decoration that makes people lean closer to the tree.

This design from The Nicole Chase measures approximately 2 inches and uses worsted weight yarn with a 4 mm hook. Small amounts of contrasting yarn provide the colourful details.

Choose this one if you enjoy working in the round, shaping a stuffed piece and adding finishing touches. Making several with different hat colours would give you a coordinated set without every ornament looking identical.

Find the free Tiny Snowman ornament crochet pattern.

7. Crochet Mouse Ornament

Stitch by Fay’s little mouse makes a charming addition to a woodland Christmas tree.

The pattern uses DK cotton yarn with a 2.5 mm hook, and the finished ornament measures approximately 2½ inches square, including the ears. The rounded body is worked in continuous rounds, with separate ears and decorative details.

This is a good choice for someone comfortable with small amigurumi stitches. Keep the fabric firm enough to contain the stuffing without pulling every stitch so tightly that your hands complain.

Visit Stitch by Fay for the free crochet mouse ornament pattern.

8. Crochet Mushroom Ornament

A little mushroom is a lovely alternative to the usual Santa-and-snowman selection, especially if you enjoy woodland Christmas decorations.

Yarnspirations offers this Bernat design as a free downloadable pattern, with an easy skill rating. The finished mushroom measures approximately 4 inches high and 3 inches across.

It uses Bernat Super Value yarn and stuffing. Check those measurements before planning a miniature tree, as this ornament is larger than some of the tiny projects in this collection.

Download the free Bernat crochet mushroom ornament pattern at Yarnspirations.

Crochet Candy Cane Holder Ornaments

9. Gingerbread Man Candy Cane Holder

This gingerbread decoration from A Crocheted Simplicity doubles as a candy cane holder, making it a lovely little gift with a treat attached.

The designer provides single-layer and double-layer options, so you can choose the construction that suits your project. The pattern is rated easy and uses worsted weight yarn with a 4 mm hook.

At approximately 5½ inches high, excluding the hanging loop, it is a substantial ornament rather than a tiny motif. Allow time for the face and icing details, because those are what give the gingerbread its character.

Find the free gingerbread man candy cane holder crochet pattern.

10. Reindeer Candy Cane Holder

The reindeer version from A Crocheted Simplicity is another useful option for combining a handmade ornament with a small Christmas treat.

The pattern is rated easy and uses worsted weight yarn and a 4 mm hook. The finished decoration measures approximately 4½ inches high and 2½ inches wide, excluding the hanging loop.

Instructions include an embroidered-eye option. Brown, cream and a small amount of red create the familiar festive look without requiring a large yarn purchase.

Make the free crochet reindeer candy cane holder ornament.

Detailed Crochet Christmas Ornaments and Keepsakes

11. Hopscotch Christmas Bauble

If you want to give plain baubles a handmade finish, the Hopscotch ornament from Green Fox Farms Designs adds an interesting textured cover.

The designer specifies worsted weight yarn, a 5 mm hook and a 67–70 mm plastic ornament. Allow approximately 40–50 yards of yarn.

This pattern is rated intermediate. It is a better choice for someone ready to explore the stitch pattern than for a complete beginner. Check the size of your bauble before starting, as the cover needs to fit its supporting form.

Follow the free Hopscotch bauble crochet pattern.

12. Mini Crochet Sweater Ornament

A tiny Christmas sweater is wonderfully cheerful, whether you decorate it tastefully or embrace the full ugly-sweater spirit.

Zamiguz’s design begins at the ribbed turtleneck, with the sleeves worked afterwards. The designer rates it intermediate and recommends fine or DK yarn.

The DK sample uses approximately 50 yards and measures around 3½ inches high. Embroidery offers plenty of room for personalisation, but plain stripes can be just as effective when working at this scale.

Get the free mini crochet sweater ornament pattern at Zamiguz.

13. Poinsettia Flower Ornament

Kirsten Holloway Designs’ poinsettia is a beautiful choice if you enjoy delicate thread crochet and traditional Christmas flowers.

This intermediate pattern uses size 10 crochet thread and a 1.4 mm steel hook. The finished flower measures approximately 4¼ inches across.

The materials include a blocking board and starching spray, so plan for finishing time as well as crochet. A poinsettia like this would make a lovely reusable gift topper before earning its place on the tree.

Find the free poinsettia flower ornament crochet pattern.

14. Vintage Puffy Crochet Christmas Tree

Our CraftBits puffy Christmas tree is another option for crocheters who enjoy working with thread.

The pattern lists size 10 crochet cotton and a finished height of approximately 3¼ inches. Its tiered construction creates a different look from a simple flat triangle.

Read the instructions through before starting, particularly the sections worked into the remaining loops of earlier rounds. This is one to choose when you fancy a little detail rather than a quick first crochet project.

Find the free vintage puffy crochet Christmas tree pattern on CraftBits.

Choosing Yarn for Crochet Christmas Ornaments

Start with the yarn weight specified in your chosen pattern. A small substitution can change the finished size, and that matters when a cover must fit a particular bauble.

For projects made from leftovers, sort your yarn by thickness before sorting it by colour. Two yarns that look perfect together in the basket may behave quite differently once crocheted.

If you need a few colours to pull a collection together, browse the yarn selection at Mary Maxim and match the yarn weight to your pattern. A shared cream, red or green can help a mixture of leftover colours feel intentional.

For more ideas on combining nostalgic ornaments, woodland details and festive crochet around the home, explore our Christmas crochet trends and free patterns.

Little Finishing Details That Make a Difference

Test the hanging loop before fastening it permanently. Hold the ornament up and check that it faces forwards instead of tipping sideways.

Keep stuffed ornaments light. Add enough filling to support the shape, then check how the ornament hangs.

Finish the back as carefully as the front. Tree decorations turn, and gift toppers often get inspected from every angle.

Plan for blocking. Flat shapes and thread crochet flowers may need shaping before they look their best. Follow the designer’s finishing instructions and check that any stiffening product suits your fibre.

Choose embellishments for the recipient. For decorations likely to be handled by very young children, avoid detachable small parts and use embroidered details instead.

Questions About Free Crochet Christmas Ornament Patterns

What is a good crochet Christmas ornament for beginners?

The Whitefield Wreath and Mini Santa Hat are good patterns to consider if you already know basic crochet stitches. Read the stitch list first and choose a project whose construction feels manageable.

Can I use scrap yarn for Christmas ornaments?

Yes. Many small ornaments need only modest amounts of yarn, although some use more than their size suggests. Keep enough matching yarn for repeated pieces, such as ears, sleeves or both sides of a decoration.

Do crochet ornaments need stuffing?

Some do. The tiny tree, snowman, mouse and mushroom are stuffed designs. Other projects use flat construction, an open shape or a separate supporting ornament.

Do all crochet Christmas ornaments need stiffening?

No. A stuffed figure or bauble cover generally gets its shape from its construction. Delicate thread crochet and some flat motifs may benefit from blocking or stiffening, depending on the designer’s instructions.

Can these ornaments be used as handmade gifts?

Absolutely. Tie one onto a parcel, add it to a Christmas card or make a small coordinated set. Include a note explaining that the decoration can be untied and kept.

You do not need to crochet enough ornaments for an entire tree to make something special. Start with one little wreath, one mouse or one snowman, and see where the yarn basket takes you.

A handful of handmade decorations can become the pieces everyone looks for when the Christmas boxes come out. Slightly crooked bow and all.