Guest Author - Linda Spangenburg

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 aren’t 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.