5 Last-Minute Christmas Gifts to Crochet and Knit

© Copyright 2011 Patrice Walker All rights reserved

It’s Almost Christmas and You Still Have Gifts to Make? Don’t Despair …

As I write this hub three days after Thanksgiving, I realize that there are only three solid, gift-making weeks left until Christmas, and less if your gifts need to be shipped. I’m one who often begins to crochet and knit Christmas gifts for family and friends late in the season, so it’s always nice to have several patterns on hand that can be worked up quickly – like in an evening or two.

If you enjoy giving hand crochet and knitted gifts when Christmas rolls around, the following patterns will definitely help you out, especially if you’re struggling to come up with gift ideas that don’t take a lot of time or yarn to make but are lovely nonetheless.

The following pattern instructions are free so the only money you’ll be spending is for your yarn purchases and shipping if you need to mail them. And none of the patterns require more than a skein of yarn to make. Even better, if you have a nice stash of yarn to choose from, there will be no strain whatsoever on your purse (or wallet) this Christmas.

IPHONE PURSE

Who doesn’t own a cell phone these days, even if it isn’t of the Apple variety? In fact, most cell phones are starting to look the same -- a small rectangle with dimensions of around 4.5” x 2.5” x ½”. While this pattern, designed by Elizabeth S., doesn’t specify a gauge, based on the one I crocheted, the finished purse has more than enough interior space to accommodate most cell phones.

The “houndstooth” stitch pattern is easier than it looks and can be achieved with a variety of colors, making this the perfect gift for women and men alike. The pattern instructions also include suggestions for creating different closures and straps, so you can create several different purses from one pattern.

I knocked this purse out in a few hours. The next one I make will take even less time because I'm familiar with the pattern now.

FELTED COASTERS

With the right wool yarn, these easy-to-crochet coasters make a wonderful gift for any household.

I crocheted two sets of coasters for neighbors last Christmas, and they were well received.

I’d say splurge on the yarn because you can make a lot of coasters from one skein, and there are some really nice variegated and ombre colorways to choose from.

To make a coaster:

Note: Abbreviations used: chain (ch), single crochet (sc), slip stitch (sl st), stitch (st),

Chain 2.

Round 1: 8 sc in the second ch from the hook, crocheting over the tail (see "Magic Circle" video). Sl st to first single crochet. Ch 1, (Do NOT turn on this and succeeding rounds).

Round 2: 2 sc in each st around. Sl st to ch-1 at beginning of round (16 sc). Ch 1.

Round 3: 2 sc in the first st, one sc in the second st, *2 sc in the next st, one single crochet in the next st. Continue from * around, sl st to ch-1 at beginning of round (24 sc).

Round 4: 2 sc in the 1st st, one sc in each of the next 2 sts, 2 sc in the next st, 1 sc in each of the next 2 sts. Continue from * around, sl st to ch-1 at beginning of round (32 sc). Ch 1.

Continuing increasing 8 sts as established in succeeding rounds until you have crocheted 7 or 8 rounds.

Next 2 rounds: 1 single crochet in each st around.

Last round: Reverse sc in each stitch around. Fasten off and weave in ends

There are no increases in the last three rounds to keep the coaster's edge from stretching during felting. You can also make the coaster larger by increasing a total of 8 stitches in each succeeding round, but do not increase in the last three rounds for the reason stated.

To felt by hand:

• Add a small amount of mild soap to a large bowl or pan of hot (i.e., close to boiling) water that you have placed in your sink.
• Wearing latex gloves or using a spatula, swish coasters around in hot water, gently agitating them for several minutes.
• Rinse in a tub of cold water, gently squeeze out excess water, and put back in hot water to continue swishing and agitating.
• Continue this hot-to-cold water process until wool has felted. This may take up to 20 minutes.
• Do a final rinse in cold water, wrap in a towel to get rid of excess water, and lay flat to dry.

CROCHETED WASH CLOTHS

Wash cloths are extremely easy to crochet. You are simply crocheting a square and adding a single crochet border to it.

If you have a crochet stitch dictionary, select a textured stitch pattern for your wash cloth. Use a cotton yarn like Lily Sugar and Cream or Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece. The recommended hook size is always included on the yarn label.

When creating your single crochet border, single crochet evenly around the entire square, crocheting 3 stitches at each corner to maintain the square shape.

Slip stitch to the first sc, fasten off and weave in your ends.

FELTED SOAP COZY (Lion Brand Pattern # L0712)

Whoever came up with this idea for a soap cozy is brilliant. I knitted the one in the photo in a couple of hours, on the same evening I crocheted the IPhone purse.

For this pattern, you knit a rectangle that incorporates a nice stitch pattern, in this case a cable pattern, and sew a bar up soap inside. Then, as the cozy is used for washing, it naturally felts, so you don’t have to felt this one in advance (even though this is what the pattern recommends).

I would suggest using a wool yarn that hasn’t been dyed, one that is the natural color of the sheep’s wool from which it is derived.

This is the only gift for which you’ll have to spend some money to purchase soap bars to fit in the cozy, but you should be able to find some inexpensive but nice smelling soaps. The cozy is designed to fit a 3” x 4.5” bar of soap, but you can always add stitches and rows to accommodate a larger bar of soap.

BEER BOTTLE COZY

Okay, can’t forget the guys, many of whom will be ensconced in front of the TV come Super Bowl Sunday, beer bottle in hand, waiting for the kick off.

Keep your fellas’ mitts warm and dry with these easy-to-knit beer bottle cozies, courtesy of designer Annie Pilon.

You don’t even have to know how to knit in the round to make them because they are done on straight needles.

Make the cozies a third larger than the pattern calls for with a double strand of wool yarn and felt them for an even more absorbent cozy.

I haven't made this Christmas gift yet, but I'm definitely going to.

Three weeks is more than enough time to make any or all of these crocheted and knitted Christmas gifts. Before you know it, all the names on your gift list will be checked off, without your having to fight for that last item on the store shelf or spend yourself into debt.

Let me know in the comment section if you try any of the patterns or have any questions about them.