Crochet

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Back To School Crochet?

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cro pencil case 0814I love this nifty, easy to work up crochet pencil case.  But, wait, there’s more!  Wouldn’t it also make a nice travel case for your crochet hooks, including a pocket to hold a copy of your pattern folded to fit and maybe a small crochet notion or two?  This would fold up to fit easily in a purse or carry-on bag.  Plastic hooks would be perfect for use on an airplane.  Put a stitch holder or two inside an empty dental floss container in that pocket.  The serrated cutting edge of the dental floss container works just fine on thread or yarn.  Use a substantial yarn like the typical Red Heart worsted weight and you’ll get years of use.  A great, even hardier yarn to use for this is an Omega yarn like these.  Note that you’ll need to glue or fuse with a match the ends of the Omega yarn to secure your work.

So, you can make a quick Back To School project for your kiddos and/or you can make yourself (or some other lucky person) a handy hook caddy.  Which will it be for this double duty pattern?

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Crochet Christmas Dove Ornaments With a Printable Gift Poem

There is something especially lovely about a handmade gift that comes with a few thoughtful words. These crochet Christmas birds pair a folded yarn ornament with a decorative poem card, turning a little crochet project into a keepsake.

The design has a rounded head, a tiny embroidered eye and beak, and a forked tail. A broad overlapping section forms the wing, giving the bird that folded, origami-inspired appearance. It is a simple-looking shape with plenty of handmade charm.

A Crochet Bird That Doubles as a Gift Topper

What appeals to me most is the idea of using the bird twice. Tie it onto a wrapped present as a gift topper, then let the recipient hang it on their Christmas tree afterwards. The wrapping gets recycled, the ribbon goes into somebody’s “far too useful to throw away” drawer, and the bird becomes part of next year’s decorations.

Cream would be a lovely choice for a Christmas dove, while cranberry red, sage green and dusty blue offer a different seasonal look. Keeping the wing plain lets the crochet texture and folded layers stand out.

For a personalised crochet gift tag, an embroidered initial is a sweet addition. One small letter gives the ornament a purpose without needing to squeeze an entire name onto the wing.

The Printable Christmas Dove Card

The accompanying printable brings the gift together. Watercolour-style holly, evergreen branches, berries and gold accents frame the card, with space above the poem for attaching the crocheted bird.

The original Christmas poem shares wishes for peace, joy and love, then invites the recipient to hang the dove on their tree. There is also a “With love from” line, so the finished card feels like a complete little present.

I would print it on firm cardstock and attach the bird with a removable thread or ribbon loop. That way, the recipient can lift it off the card easily when it is time to decorate the tree.

It is a thoughtful Christmas gift concept, especially for crafters who enjoy making small decorations with a personal touch. The bird and poem card belong together: a little handmade ornament, a Christmas wish, and something to bring out again next December.