Crochet Christmas in July
I know it’s early to be thinking about Christmas but this year, I’m making a big change to my holiday gifting.
Forget the frantic shopping, the mountains of Amazon boxes. I'm gifting handmade crochet items to everyone on my list! Why?
Because I’m trying to bust my yarn stash before the end of the year.
If you’re here, you already know the many benefits of gifting handmade items made with love and intention, but let’s be real. My yarn stash has gotten out of hand this is how I’m tackling it.
What’s on My Crochet Christmas List (Sneak Peek at My Projects)
Because I know the recipients of the gifts below won’t be reading my blog, here’s a glimpse of what I’m making this year:
Cozy Granny Square Blankets: A classic, and always appreciated! I’m making a large throw with super chunky yarn in a basically a continuous Granny Square because I know it will work up fast. My husband will love this for watching TV this winter – the open stitches will keep him from overheating.
Stuffed Animals: Perfect my nieces and nephews. I’ve gifted these Amigurumi stuffed dinosaurs in the past for young kiddos and they were a big hit! They also work up relatively quickly once you get the hang of the pattern. The pattern is from Etsy and I love how easy it was to follow.
Cottagecore Style Cardigan: This Lacey Crochet Cardigan design by Michelle Moore is the kind of style my sister is into right now, so I think she will love this. The stitch also has a unique look to it so I’m excited to try it.
Festive Items: Adorable little amigurumi snowmen and snowflakes for my daughter’s daycare teachers. I’ve used the snowflake pattern before and it’s quick, but the snowman will be a new one.
Mermaid Tail Blankets: My daughter has been asking for a mermaid tale this summer so hopefully this blanket in the winter will still be a hit. I found this pattern for free and plan to give it a try, too.
Maybe it’s just me, but looking through patterns and saving them for later is so much more exciting when there’s a hard date in mind for when I’ll go back to them. I’m finishing a baby blanket now for my sister-in-law who is due soon, but when that’s finished I’ll be diving into my Christmas projects!
Your Guide to a Crochet Christmas
Feeling inspired? Here's guide to help you create your own Crochet Christmas.
Planning
Make a List: Who are you gifting this year? How many people?
Brainstorm Project Ideas: Consider their interests and needs. What would they actually use and appreciate?
Skill Assessment: Be realistic about your crochet skills and free time. Start with beginner-friendly projects if you're new to crochet and try to be generous with estimates about how much time each project will take.
Pattern Gathering: Search Ravelry, Etsy, or free pattern blogs for patterns you like.
Draft a Schedule: Determine how much time you have between now and when the presents need to be delivered. Set a goal for yourself (ex: complete one gift each week) and plan for projects that may take longer, like blankets.
Gathering Supplies (Go Shopping??!)
This is the fun part! Choose yarn colors and fibers that fit your recipient's preferences and aesthetic. Explore local craft stores to make your finds even more interesting since you can feel the texture, etc. Along the way you may find some other really interesting things. Like gift suggestions for yourself.
And if you’re already a seasoned crocheter (aka yarn addict), you might have a forgotten gem/hank in your stash that has finally found its use. As you can see, I’ve already spent a decent amount of time building up my “gift supply yarn”.
Don’t forget to check the hook sizes you need for your projects too!
Write It All Down
I’m using a table like this to keep track of what I’m committing to and adjusting projects and timing as needed to meet my goal. It definitely helped keep my gifting list attainable by being able to visually see all of the projects I needed to finish. Now that I’m looking at it again I plan to color code my long projects (2+ weeks) so I can make sure I give myself enough time!
Anyone else out there doing a Crochet Christmas? I’d love to hear what projects are on your list and what planning methods you’re using!
And happy crocheting!!