Christmas Crochet Patterns

Christmas crochet and saving money
 
Every year we seem to be working harder and getting less. This year has been especially difficult for many. So it is necessary to start learning to think ahead. I know this is very difficult for the fly by the seat of your pants folks, but when planning handwork you must allow enough time to complete your projects.
 
I have decided this coming Christmas everyone on my list will receive a handmade gift and not the expensive store bought item that will be put in the back of the closet anyway. With handmade you must give the gift much more thought along with the time to make it.
 
So I thought it would be a good idea to share some crochet projects that would make ideal gifts for this coming Christmas. Starting now will give you plenty of time to work up your gift and also thinking of the next gift you will make while working on the present project. This is a win win situation in many ways.
 
First you will be giving a thoughtful, loving gift that you have crocheted and created for that special person only.
 
Second you will be avoiding the hassles and crowds of the Christmas season. You can just sit back and watch everyone run around at the last minute. Picking up gifts just because they feel they have to. This year you will be enjoying the holidays knowing you have crocheted with love all year long. You are prepared, you have not overspent and you are relaxed.
 
Third it will be a lot less expensive not only because you planned ahead but also because most crocheters already have an unbelievable stash of yarn on hand. This will also add to your relaxation during the holidays. You will not be worrying about where the money is coming from to pay for those gifts. There are so many free Christmas crochet patterns online that you can save hundreds in patterns alone.
 
So lets pull out that stash and sort through it. See what we have and also what we may need to get. We can plan our projects by the yarn we have on hand already. Also we will know what colors or types of yarn we will need to buy to have enough for a special project. Now is the time to get some Christmas crochet brainstorming done. Lets see whom we have on our list and what we would like to crochet for them. A quick list may look something like this.
 
1 – Billy loves blue and plays outside most of the time even in the coldest weather. So for him I would make up a set including a ski cap, scarf and mittens.
 
2 – Judy has a favorite baby doll she clings to all the time. She would love a layette for the baby doll. I will make her a blanket, hat, sweater, mittens and booties for her baby.
 
3 – Dad always has cold feet so a pair of double thick crocheted slippers will warm them up very nicely. I will make them up in the colors of his favorite football team.
 
4 – The new grandbaby will be here by than so I believe a mobile made up of brightly colored animals would be perfect.
 
5 – Jane is into collecting Barbie Dolls and everything that has to do with them. Yes some nicely made crochet clothes for Barbie and Ken would do the trick here.
 
6 – Mom seems to have about everything. But her potholders are not looking so good anymore and she could use some holiday hot pads to add to the festive meals.
 
7 – New married couples would really enjoy the delicately crocheted Christmas ornaments made up in beautiful Christmas yarn for their first Christmas tree.
 
So as you can see, with a little bit of planning, some yarn and hooks we can have everything completed before Christmas. You can give each and everyone you love a beautiful, thoughtful and creative gift. These are not items that you could simply run into any store and buy. No these show that you are thinking of your friends and family all through the year.

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Filet Crochet Patterns

This filet crochet potholder is an excellent project for someone who is just learning this new skill. In this technique the shapes in the patterning are formed by solid and open squares formed by blocks and spaces. This type of crochet is always worked in straight rows.

The blocks are formed by double crochet and the spaces by chains, each space divided from the next one by one double crochet.

How to make spaces (sp) for this potholders pattern:

1 space = 1 chain, 1 double crochet (1ch, 1dc)

Spaces are the open mesh in the crochet lace pattern. Make one double crochet (dc), one chain (1ch), skip one stitch from the previous row and make one more double crochet stitch.

How to make blocks (blk) for this potholder pattern:

1 block = 2 double crochet

Blocks are the filled mesh spaces in the filet lace pattern. When a block is made over an open mesh space then one double crochet should be put directly into the space over the chain stitch. When blocks are touching each other, there are three double crochet stitches in the first block and two in each consecutive block.

What you will need:

2 balls of 50 grams 4 PLY crochet cotton. We used 2 different colours for this pattern (white and blue). Hereafter called colour 1 and colour 2. 1 crochet hook no. 2

Crochet instructions:

This filet crochet potholder pattern is easy to follow from the chart that has open spaces and black blocks. Follow the instructions above about how to make crochet spaces and blocks.

Abbreviations:

Chain stitch ch

Double crochet dc

Single crochet sc

Slip stitch sl st

Begin with a foundation chain of 42ch + 4ch (in colour 1)

Row 1: Insert hook in 6th chain from the end, crochet 1dc, * 1ch, 1dc*, repeat *pattern till the end of the row. (You should have 21 spaces).

Row 2: 4ch, *7dc in every next stitch of previous row, 1ch*, repeat* 4x, 1dc.

Row 3 + 4: as row 2.

Row 5: 4ch, 1dc, *1ch, 1dc*, repeat until end of row.

Repeat rows 2, 3, 4 and 5 four times.

Once completed the pattern cast off.

Make this pattern four times – twice in colour 1 and twice in colour 2. Each potholder is crochet twice. The double layer makes it more heat resistant and prevents burning your fingers.

How to crochet the border:

For the potholder in colour 1, use colour 2 for the border and of course for the potholder in colour 2, use colour 1 for the border. Put the two sides on top of each other. Make sure the pattern matches. Then crochet 1sc in the third space from a corner, 1ch, 1sc, 1ch repeat until all four sides are completed, close this row with a slip stitch. Next row, make 1sc over next ch of previous row, 2ch, skip sc previous row, 1sc, 2ch repeat until all four sides are completed, close row with a slip stitch.

Now crochet a hanging loop:

Without casting off make a chain of 15ch, join with 1sc round the corner (same distance as the other side). Turn work and crochet 20sc over chain. Finish with a sl st and cast off.

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