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"Queen of spades" cropped cardigan in Tunisian Crochet

THE MAKING OF A LOVELY CARDIGAN IN TUNISIAN CROCHET In the last little while, as you may have noticed, I have been working on an ambitious project: the creation of a Tunisian crochet garment, using a leaf motif (or "spades", as I preferred to call it) already seen in some wonderful knitting projects. First, I thought about replicating the spade pattern in Tunisian crochet, which was not difficult, as I have created similar patterns before - you can find them, for example, in these projects of mine: Leaf it On Shawl , Leaf it On Scarf , Leaf it On Cowl .  Leaf it On Scarf Next, I thought it best to make a garment that had a simple workmanship, i.e. worked flat, and not in the round, to avoid, at least initially, over-complicating the design. A cardigan, therefore, was the best choice. Next, I chose a yarn that I liked and opted for a fine multicoloured yarn. This was the result: "QUEEN OF SPADES" - THE CAL! I liked the finished garment very much, and so did you, whic

Quick Crochet Patterns for Last-Minute Christmas Gifts

Whether we love or hate Christmas, we all have to face the same problem: Christmas gifts’ shopping. Are you the kind of person who buys Christmas gifts MONTHS in advance? Or are you one of those who frantically shops for gifts on Christmas Eve (almost)? No matter what kind of person you are, this message is for you! If you’re the perfectly organized sort, you’re already done with all presents by now, so you have plenty of time to add a last, small DIY gift for…your lovely neighbour? That sweet aunt who lives far from you? The work colleague who was unexpectedly so helpful the other day? You know whom I mean. If you are the last minute kind of shopper, my advice is you go immediately to your favourite yarn shop, buy your favourite yarn, then head home and spend just a couple of hours to create your personalised Christmas gifts: quick, satisfying, personal, and you can forget about Christmas presents for good.

Quick Crochet Patterns for Christmas Gifts
Quick Crochet Patterns for Christmas Gifts

WHY A CROCHETED GIFT?

Please, PLEASE tell me you don’t think that crochet is an old-fashioned activity for old grannies making lace doilies or boring pot holders while they’re baking cakes? Let’s get immediately rid of this stereotype: if you search for “crochet” on Google you are bombarded by colourful images of stunningly modern and trending crochet projects, from the cutest amigurumis, to 3D blankets, Virus shawls, dragon hats (that’s one of mine, probably!) This means if you can crochet you will be able to create the perfect gift for any kind of person (relative, friend, aunty, nephew), and you need not fear disappointed reactions: first, everyone appreciates personalised handmade gifts (after all, you have taken your time to create something specially for them with your own hands), and second…that’s where I step in!

CROCHET PATTERNS FOR QUICK GIFTS

Yes, let me step in and help you with the “creative part” of the gift making; I have chosen for you 5 of my most successful patterns, and they all have one thing in common: they are beautifully unconventional, they can be made with a small amount of yarn and, most of all, they are quick to make!

ROMANTIC CROCHET BASQUE HAT

Quick Crochet Patterns for Christmas Gifts
Crochet Basque Hat

YARN: 55 g. (1.94 oz) / 176 m (192 yds) of 4 ply fine 50% cotton – 50% acrylic yarn for a beret.
HOOKS: 3 mm hook (11 – D/3). 
NOTIONS: Crochet basic stitches, working in the round, magic ring. Puff stitch.
Skill Level: EASY.
TYPE OF PATTERN: written instructions + many pictures + link to video
PRODUCTION TIME: 3 hours approximately.

ROUND CENTERPIECE IN TUNISIAN CROCHET

Quick Crochet Patterns for Christmas Gifts
Round Centerpiece in Tunisian Crochet


FINISHED SIZE: diameter of 25 cm (about 10”).
YARN: DROPS Delight (75% wool superwash, 25% polyamid) colour 14 or any other colour of this series. A fine or super fine, 3 ply or 4 ply, sport or baby yarn will do, preferably a self-striping one. 25 g. (0,88 oz) / 87.5 mt (95.5 yds) for 1 placemat.

HOOKS: 3 mm (11 – D3) or 3.5 mm (9 – E4) Tunisian hook (A NORMAL CROCHET HOOK WILL DO, too.)
NOTIONS: Tunisian crochet basic technique. Crochet single crochet, slip stitch, crab stitch (optional). Working in rounds.

SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate. Follow directions regarding increases and decreases carefully.
TYPE OF PATTERN: written instructions + many pictures
PRODUCTION TIME: 3-4 hours.

EASY TRIANGLE SHAWL

Quick Crochet Patterns for Christmas Gifts
Crochet Triangle Shawl


FINISHED SIZE: 120 cm (longest side) x 57 cm (height)(47”x22”).
YARN: Self-striping yarn cake 90% acrylic 10% polyamide by ICE Yarns, colour “Cakes chain pink light green burgundy”. A bit less than 1 cake (200 g. / 7 oz.) for one shawl.

HOOK: 5-6 mm hook (6-4, H8-J10). A big fork (or similar tool) to create the tassels.
NOTIONS: Crochet basics: chain, magic ring, double crochet, slip stitch, working in rows.
Skill Level: EASY-BEGINNERS.
TYPE OF PATTERN: written instructions + many pictures + link to video
PRODUCTION TIME: 3-4 hours.

BACK LOOP SLOPE COWL

Quick Crochet Patterns for Christmas Gifts
Back loop Slope Cowl


FINISHED SIZE: diameter of 33 cm (about 13”).
YARN: DROPS Delight (75% wool superwash, 25% polyamid) colour 14 and 09 or any other colour of this series, or similar 4 ply fingering yarn. 109 g. (3,84 oz) / 381,5 mt (417 yds) for a neck warmer.
HOOKS: 3 mm (11 – D3) or 3.5 mm (9 – E4).
NOTIONS: Crochet basics.
SKILL LEVEL: Easy
TYPE OF PATTERN: written instructions + many pictures
PRODUCTION TIME: 3 hours.

REVERSIBLE HEARTS COWL

Quick Crochet Patterns for Christmas Gifts
Crochet Hearts Cowl


FINISHED SIZE: 66 cm (20”) circumference, 21 cm (9”) height.
YARN: about 155 g (5,5 oz) / 319 mt (349 yds) of medium worsted yarn of your choice and colours.
HOOKS: 6 mm hook (4, J/10). 
NOTIONS: Crochet basics: chain, single crochet, slip stitch, working in rows, clr. change, joining. The tapestry technique will be explained in this pattern. 

SKILL LEVEL: Easy.
TYPE OF PATTERN: Written instructions + many pictures + heart graph + link to video
PRODUCTION TIME: 3 hours.



So… no more excuses: pick up your hooks and truly enjoy making those Christmas gifts, for once! No stress, no panic, only the fulfilment of making something beautiful with your own hands, something that will be surely appreciated by the receivers. Merry Christmas, everyone! That's my small gift to you.  

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