This is the time of year I start thinking about Christmas; crocheting for Christmas, that is. If I start in July, I have plenty of runway ahead of me and don't feel rushed and panic'd as Thanksgiving rolls away and the Big Day looms :-) Since I love to crochet, making crochet items for Christmas is no hardship.I'd love to see Christmas become a simpler and happier holiday. I think handmade can go a long way toward this end. Also, make doing something for others less fortunate a part of your Christmas traditions, and ease up a bit on all of the store bought items. We place so many expectations on ourselves at Christmas that is it sometimes impossible to live up to them all, and we wonder where the joy has gone.
Okay, enough lecturing; I'm getting off the soapbox and ready to tell you about the cute crew in the picture above. They are irresistible amigurumi from Ana Paula Rimoli, found in the May/June 2010 issue of Crochet Today. The book bags are a free pattern from the Creative Me blog site; here is a link:
http://bwalker8706.blogspot.com/2010/01/my-sons-bookbag.html
The only changes I made to the book bag were to use half double crochet instead of double crochet. I made three more increase rows, and five additional body rows for the bag. It turned out great! These are for my three nephews, ages 7, 5, and 3. Making stuff for kids is the most fun of all.
The Pocket Spirits fell in love with Oskar! They couldn't resist a photo op with him :-)
Got you beat. I start in January. Of course I have a large family, and they all expect something handmade from Mom/Grandma.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Handmade gifts into which you have put a lot of thought, time and love come closest to the true spirit of Christmas Of course, not everyone has the time, but for those of us who do, nothing warms the heart like a grandchild's delight at the gift Grandma made.
I agree; and even if you don't have a lot of time, a scarf can be done in the evenings in front of the TV (or listening to music), and I LOVE crochet scarves!
ReplyDeleteYou must be a veritable Santa's Workshop from January to December :-)
Beth
I to give handmade gifts, too, but I have to plan way ahead. You're right to get started now. The girls on Oskar is such a fun pic!
ReplyDeleteNow i just do small stuff, but there was a time when I did major pieces. I remember one year i got nine sweaters done for Christmas. Now it is flip flop socks, slouch berets, convertible mittens (end pulls down to reveal fingers) that kind of stuff. I do it in between creating the knit toy designs I sell. By the way, I just about have one ready to go. I named her Beth before finding your lovely blog. Is it all right with you if I continue to call her that? When done they each exhibit a personality, and she looked like a Beth to me
ReplyDeleteLisa, thank-you for the good words :-) I would think a gift from your talented needle would be a treasured gift indeed.
ReplyDeleteYvonne, a doll named Beth sounds delightful to me :-)
Beth
Home made gifts always mean more.
ReplyDeleteI remember 3 Christmases ago, when my son was nine, I spent 3 weeks frantically knitting (before I discovered crochet!) and then sewing together a toy dog complete with bed, blankets, and 3 different toys.
Ok, so now my son is coming up to being 12, but even though the puppy is now an ornament rather than a toy, it still has pride of place in his room!
Now a confession: I don't hand make anywhere near as mant gifts as I would like to. I don't have the imagination to come up with ideas, so by the time I know what to make I usually only have a month or two to make it in!
Thanks for your inspiration, Beth!
Dawn, that sounds like such a neat present for your son!
ReplyDeleteOne of the things I do to get inspired early for Christmas is to browse through all the free patterns on the Lionbrand website. They have an AWESOME number of great free patterns, and I have always found something easy and lovely to make for my sister, sister-in-law, and mother. Lilly Sugar and Cream also has a great website of free patterns.
Guys get caps and scarves, but living in the Midwest you can never have too many of these in the winter :-)
Of course, toys are my favorites to make!
Beth
speaking of dolls, i bought some strange yarn that comes from Canada and looks like Sprite hair... all I need are eyes, which I cannot find here on the island.
ReplyDelete:)
Hi River!
ReplyDeleteSounds like fun yarn :-) For eyes, you could use a 1/4 - 3/8 inch black shank button; if it has a glossy finish it would be perfect for eyes. Or you could make eyes from felt and buttonhole stitch them to the face (a little tricky, but I've seen it done and it looks good).
We'll make a dollmaker out of you yet :-)
Beth
Congratulations, BETH, on winning Our School Marm Bird at marthaandjane! I love your Blog and your wonderful, sweet crochet (Which I do not do- so I am awed!). Let's keep up our visits! Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteApril, thank-you so much for visiting here :-) Winning at MarthaandJane really made my day (and week!). I've never needlefelted, and am in awe of what can be created with this technique.
ReplyDeleteBeth
I was quite taken with the puppy pattern and made both head and body, However, the head was so much bigger than the body I think I did somthing wrong. I realize with this type of crochet the heads are traditionally large. When designing a knit toy I always make the head a little big if it is a young animal or doll. It adds to the cuteness, however, this head was very big. I think the problem is the stuffing. I tend to stuff tight. In knit toys it is needed for the toy to keep it's shape. I may have overdone it with your puppy. Would you mind very much letting me know the desired circumference of the head after stuffing? Only if a puppy is easy to get, and not tucked away in a bin in the attic as so many of my models are.
ReplyDeleteHi Yvonne,
ReplyDeleteI measured my Labrador puppy's head, and it is a bit over 9 inches in circumference. I don't stuff crochet rock hard, as this will cause the stitches to stretch and you'll see the stuffing.
Crochet fabric is pretty stiff when done with worsted weight acrylic in single crochet, so it holds its shape pretty well. I stuff to get a nice, even roundness, but not rock hard; just pleasingly firm.
Hope this helps!
Beth
Thanks. I have crocheted for years but prefer to knit. I have found, however, that the stiffnerss you mention in crochet is really needed when making animals. Knit legs, for example, tend to fold after a time while crochet holds it shape. I will give it a try. They are just so cute I can't resist.
ReplyDeleteHi Beth,
ReplyDeleteFinished the puppy. I think he turned out well with one exception. I put his legs a little further forward than I should have. Not much, less than 1/8 inch, but I will remedy that on the next one. I have a piture posted on my blog if you want to see how I did. www.knittingfromtheheart.blogspot.com
If you have any thoughts on what I can improve let me know. I take critism well. :)
Yvonne, I saw him on your flickr stream, and think he is adorable in every way :-) I don't know how you could make him cuter...except to maybe make a whole litter of them!
ReplyDeleteBeth
Thank you for those nice words. I used some Paton's Canaciana I had, and because I crochet very tight had to go up to a G hook, but got the hread measurement you gave me, a bit over nine inches.
ReplyDeleteI found the pattern easy to understand and quick to make. I will be making more.
Hallo Beth, Wat een leuke blog heb je! En wat een mooie gehaakte poppen. Succes met alles wat je maakt. En ik kom terug je blog bekijken.
ReplyDeletegroeten uit The Netherlands
Antje
Dank u Antje!
ReplyDeleteBeth
Hi Beth
ReplyDeleteVisited your blog for the first time and had me lots of fun just looking. Took some of your puppy patterns along the way and wanted to thank you deeply for it. I just started crocheting and am loving it all the way...
Sending you lots of love...
Greetz
Vengy
Niesamowite!!!.....
ReplyDeleteI just happened to run across your blog and found this post (I'm Brittany from CreativeMe!) Thanks so much for featuring my pattern on your blog, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Your bag turned out great and thanks for including the link :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Brittany!
ReplyDeleteHow cool to see you here! I love the book bag pattern, and the picture of your son with his :-) Hope all is well for you and your new little one.
Take care,
Beth
I looove crochet. Charlotte - age six and a half
ReplyDeleteCharlotte, I'm glad you like crochet! I love all the fun dolls and animals you can make :-)
ReplyDeleteBeth