Go beyond the granny square

There’s a fellow crocheter on your Christmas list and you are completely stuck on what to get him/her for Christmas. To make something or buy something. And if you buy something, then what? Here are a few ideas to help you sort out what to get your fellow crocheters for Christmas.

Who better to appreciate something crocheted than a fellow crocheter? I say that you can’t go wrong with a handmade gift. If they are on Ravelry of have a wish list, then you might can find some inspiration there.

A 365-day calendar of crochet patterns would be a welcomed gift. It would also be something that everyday they would be reminded of the cool gift you gave them. Maybe they will even make you a creation from the calendar.

Crochet books are fun - especially if there is one your friend has been really wanting for a while.

I’m a firm believer in that you can never have too many hooks, stitch markers, and scissors. So basic supplies presented in a cute basket or a yarn holder would be very nice indeed.

Finding the perfect Christmas gift isn’t that hard. You just have to stop and think about what your crochet friend would like best. Chances he/she will love anything because it is given by a special friend.

Ever since we went to the fair and saw beautiful fiber animals like this alpaca, my interest in learning how to spin yarn has increased tenfold.

Before I buy a pack animal, I will probably start out small and just buy some raw fleece. This will give me a chance to see if it is something I enjoy doing and want to do on a bigger scale. I found a great introduction to preparing the raw fleece so at least I will know what to do once I have it in hand.

But since Christmas is almost here, this might be a project to begin next year. Spinning would be really fun to learn. Imagine being able to create the perfect yarn. It seems everything these days is made by someone else. This would be a good way to learn something that people used to do all the time. I have always wanted goats, so maybe this will give me more incentive.

After finding a cute pattern for The Golden Snitch from Harry Potter, I knew I wanted to make one for the Harry Potter swap I’m currently in. My idea was to make it for my partner’s cat. So, how do I turn a normal amigurumi pattern into a cat toy? It’s very simple.

For this, I added a bell in the middle and left out the fiberfill figuring that the cat would just pull it out anyway. Plus the bell is big enough to keep the shape of the ball.

Another idea I had is to add some catnip to it as that will surely pique a cat’s interest.

From my own cat, I have learned that if it is moving, then it’s interesting. So, I plan to make some i-cord for chain and attach it to the snitch. I’m going to transform a chopstick into a wand and attach the i-cord to it also. Voila! Now the snitch can fly and the cat will definitely be interested in checking it out. If all else fails to get a cat interested in a toy, always show some interest in it and then they will be all over it.

Small amigurumi toys are perfect cat toys because of size. Add some bells and some catnip to create something very playful and fun.

One crocheting frontier that I have yet to venture down is socks. It seems everyone loves to knit socks but there are plenty of crochet patterns, too.

One reason for my hesitation to try a pair of socks is that size and yarn weight. You use a very light yarn weight. I’m so used to working with a medium weight that I’m not sure if the socks would turn out looking right.

In a recent swap, I received some yarn that would be perfect for socks. So maybe it’s time to give those crochet socks a try. The problem with the sock patterns is that they are usually marked at an intermediate/experienced level of crocheting. I don’t feel I’m at that point yet. There is a sock pattern in the latest Crochet World that I might give a try.

Socks always make a great gift - at least for me they do. It would also be wonderful to be able to make our own and have more than one pair of perfect fitting socks.

Most Christmases we go over budget. This year we have vowed not to do that. This year we also want to give more and spend less. Since I have discovered a love of crochet, I really want to make some gifts this year. I’ve been looking at patterns and mulling over all the different options to decide what I want to make everyone.

I feel pretty confident making scarves and since I have a pretty long Christmas list, I need something that is quickly made. A scarf can be made in about two days. Who knows? I might even get faster by the time I get to the last one.

Making just one type of item for gifts will hopefully make the process faster since I’m getting such a late start in making homemade gifts. Next year I will start tackling this a lot earlier so I can do a variety of gifts.

There are plenty of crochet books that are on my wish list. I keep a list at Amazon of those items that I would like to have someday. Usually what draws me to a particular crochet book is one or two patterns, usually that I’ve seen on Ravelry.

While I enjoy finding patterns free and for sale on the Internet, there is still something about having a book that is appealing. Maybe because it is not so easy to misplace a book as it is to save a file or print out a pattern.

Some crochet books that are on my wish list include:

Cool Crochet - for a hoodie pattern that I absolutely would love

Creepy Cute Crochet: Zombies, Ninjas, Robots, and More! - Because amigurumi is so much fun to make

Stich ‘n Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker - There are a few patterns in here of interest. The cowboy hat and a cute purse come immediately to mind.

Amigurumi World: Seriously Cute Crochet - And from the cover, I would agree.

200 Crochet Blocks for Blankets, Throws, and Afghans: Crochet Squares to Mix and Match - Although I’m terrible at making squares, I’m still fascinated by them and their many uses in crochet.

Every so often, I enjoy just searching for crochet books on Amazon. It’s a great way to discover new books and other fun stuff.

Today is Veteran’s Day and if you are looking for a wonderful charity to crochet/knit for, then read on. The National World War II Museum has a program called Knit your Bit. It’s a program that knits/crochets scarves for veterans.

There is an official pattern but you can use any yarn you like. This is the third year for the program and each year a new pattern is added. The scarves are designed with a WWII theme.  Just make sure to include washing instructions with your scarf. This year’s scarf basically uses the single crochet so should be easy for the beginner crocheter.

They are also collecting 8 x 8 squares to make afghans for veterans, too. This is a new venture, so all squares are great appreciated.

Knitters during World War II knitted socks, mufflers, scarves, and other apparel to keep soldiers warm and to remind them of home. Receiving something handmade just for you is the greatest gift. In fact, knitting was the cover story on Life magazine in November 1941. It included in article on how to knit.

So help continue that long tradition of knitters helping those who serve our country. Pick up those needles/hooks and make a scarf or two.

There’s just something really fun watching Presidential election results especially when you have satellite TV and access to literally hundreds of news channels.  But as exciting as it will be, election coverage does not need my full attention. So I’m hoping to finish up a work in progress - or wip.

I love to watch the election results and having a project to work on helps to pass the hours until the next poll closes. When I crochet while watching TV, I stick to simple projects with basic stitches. I really don’t need something that I have to keep up with stitches.

I’m not sure I will finish my project but hopefully I will be very close and can finish it up tomorrow.

Election update - Fox News is declaring Barack Obama the winner.  This has been a very long election. I’m glad it’s coming to an end. Hopefully I will be able to see the end of my work in progress this night, too.

For months, I would stare at this wool yarn and try to think of a reason to buy it. It finally went on sale, so I picked up the last two skeins. I still did not have a project for it but simply loved the colors.

I decided that I might could make a shawl with it. I started it but am apprehensive about having enough to complete it. My options are to try to finish it or to frog the whole thing and make it smaller as I was can always add a border to it.

The shawl is simple. It’s basically just the half double crochet with two half double crochets together on each end. It would be easier to frog now than being three-fourths of the way through just to realize that I don’t have enough yarn. Better heartache now than later.