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Cool Snow Day Rubberband Crochet

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cro rubberband hat 0214

If you’ve got a kid at home younger than 18, you probably have a Rainbow loom and oodles of tiny rubberbands.  They are all the rage and they’re pretty cool.  I’ve seen very intricate bracelets made by 10 year olds.  Boys and girls both seem to be attracted to this crazy craft.  It’s inexpensive and requires only those rubberbands.  The looms are helpful but not required for making bracelets.

Pauleen Potter has come up with a nifty way to actually crochet with those little rubberbands.  For this, you will need a loom. She’s a fan of amigurumi and was inspired one day to use those rubberbands to crochet something for her amigurumi collection.  She created this cute little cap and a very detailed tutorial so you, too, can make one or more of them.  What a great snow day project for bored kids!

With Pauleen’s detailed tutorial, you should be able to get the kids started then leave them to create on their own.  However, you just might get looped in and spend your snow day the same way!

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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.