Crochet

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PUT THIS ONE ON YOUR WISH LIST….first in a series of “gimme’s”

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We all need to be thinking about goodies to put on our Wish List.  You know – that list you put on the refrigerator door so everyone who is supposed to give you a gift will know what you want, NEED, gotta have!  This is not a list of items that includes vacuum cleaner bags, potato peelers, or car wash coupons.  This is the GOOD STUFF.  Well, I have a great one for you.

http://patterntamers.com/products.php

Ok, I’m just practical enough that I chose the design that will also work as a tape measure for me.  But, there are cuter patterns that you can choose for this very useful tool.  It’s a sort of strip magnet that fits over your book or magazine to mark your place in the pattern.  Each kit retails for $15 and contains three different sized ‘Pattern Tamers’.

The practicality of this goodie means that you can really ‘sell’ it as something you absolutely REQUIRE to accomplish the very best in crochet.  Right?  I mean, using a pin or paper clip to mark your spot (and disfigure your pattern), folding the page down, rubberbands – all these are very inefficient and inadequate methods of keeping your place in a pattern.  Since no craftsperson can effectively complete a worthy project without a good set of tools, you MUST have Pattern Tamers in your toolbox.  See my logic…….?

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.