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Crocheting Clothes Kids Love

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cro crocheting clothes kids 0114

I just love this book!  It has so many fresh, creative projects to suit toddlers to tweens – designs I’ve not seen a gazillion times on the net or in other books.  There are 28 designs in this book by Shelby Allaho and Ellen Gormley, each with a good illustration and excellent photographs of the parts we need to see to recreate each project to perfection.

My faves include the Sunny Day Skirt, a wrap skirt with eye catching accents, the Chelsea Capelet  which is really a sweet shell sweater with a snuggly cowl neckline, the Plated Steel Tunisian T-Shirt, a rugged Tee for a boy but would work nicely for a girl too, and the Charming Bracelet, where all the charms are crocheted!

There are also sweaters, mittens, slippers, belts, caps, and headbands – and an amazing headband ‘cozy’ you’ll want to make right away!  In addition to the charm and attraction of the designs is the fact that, for the most part, readily available yarns are used – and sufficient information for yarn substitutions is given.  So, if a pattern calls for a more expensive yarn and you have some RH in your stash that would work perfectly for you, you’ll be able to determine quickly if the yarn is appropriate for the pattern.

Anyone who crochets for kids from ages six to twelve will want to get their hands on this book.  It’s printed on sturdy cardstock with an eggshell finish, so it passes my PBJ-proof book test!

Book Specs:

Crocheting Clothes Kids Love by Shelby Allaho and Ellen Gormley

Creative Publishing International (creativepub.com), December, 2013

143 Pages softcover

ISBN: 9781589237810

$24.99 USD

Wanting to learn how to do Tunisian Crochet? Check out this Online course “Tunisian Crochet For Beginners”.

 

 

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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.