Crochet

Patterns, projects and techniques

Messy Crochet – All In Fun

by

cro splash coaster 0814

When I saw these coasters, they made me chuckle.  Only a parent would come up with this idea.  Put the spill down before you even fill the cup with something that can be filled.  You can see this on Etsy.com where the coasters are for sale.  Wouldn’t these be a hit at your next party?  Instead of making wine glass charms or those slip on thingies, you just make a bunch of these freeform coasters in every imaginable color and issue one per customer.  No one will lose his/her drink all night (or day).

cro freeform coaster 0914

This is a completely different take on a crochet mess.  Freeform crochet is a technique you can use to make most anything, use up all kinds of small lengths of yarn, and get really creative without following any rules.  To use as a coaster, you wouldn’t want much texture on the item, but other than that, the crazier the better.  Again, if you make oodles of these, each person gets a unique coaster to identify his/her drink.  I like this idea – as I’m a great fan of freeform crochet.  There’s not a pattern for this.  It’s just a design I ran across online.  The main idea for freeform is that you don’t NEED  a pattern – you just go through a number of stitches, yarn and hook sizes, and create unique beauties.  Try it!  You could even make enough in Christmas colors to offer each guest a unique, but Christmas themed coaster.  I think your guests would be in awe of you – and you’d likely find yourself receiving many requests to make sets of them for gifts.  Such flattery!

 

 

Spill coasters on Etsy.com.

Freeform coaster but no pattern can be seen here.

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.