Crochet

Patterns, projects and techniques

Crochet Free Patterns

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cro pat bonanza 0714

Are you familiar with this site for oodles of free patterns?  Since crochetpatterncentral.com disappeared, I have not really found a reliable aggregate site for finding free crochet patterns online.  This site seems to have a lot of the same features as the previous crochetpatterncentral.  It’s so helpful to have a single site as my Go-To when I’m looking for a specific pattern for for inspiration.  Scrolling through free patterns, categorized by pattern type, is a great way for me to not just go down ‘the rabbit hole’ like I do if I find my way to Pinterest – especially when I find an object I’d love to crochet but can’t click through to the pattern source on Pinterest.  Very frustrating!

So, with the crochetpatternbonanza.com site, most of the beloved and useful features of crochetpatterncentral have been duplicated.  I mean that in the best possible way.  There are only so many ways to index your crochet patterns.  It makes sense to me that they are categorized the way this site does it, but there are several search options available in case you have different needs.

So take a trip over to crochetpatternbonanza and see if it’s a site you can rely on and bookmark for future reference.  I’m definitely going to do so.  The best such site I was ever aware of was the now ancient Stargazer Crochet site, but that’s been gone for years.  Now, we have this nice alternative.  Check it out!

UPDATE:  Thanks to those who have let me know that crochetpatterncentral is still in business!  It’s been redesigned, but it looks like the content is all there.

Comments

  5. Yes, crochetpatterncentral is still alive and well. It has been re-styled and I liked the older version better, but they still have everything they did before.

Have you read?

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.