Has anyone started their Christmas Stitching yet?

**rsbs** · 06-09-2009, 04:35 PM

I started in March & all of my projects are crochet. I'd be MUCH farther along too, if I didn't have a DD who insists that she gets first dibs at anything I make!

What I usually do is this... I choose about 3 patterns. One for the adult ladies, one for the adult men, & one for children. Then I choose different color yarn based on the intended recipiants personality type. I make a list of who all I want to gift & go to town! Using a limited number of patterns seem to make the work go quicker- after the first couple, I almost have them memorized & my hands seem to as well!

I also choose things that are fairly simple & easily embellished/personalized. Like this year, I am doing a simple filet triangle shawl for the ladies, wool skull caps for the men, & a button up sweater for the kids. I've completed FOUR shawls so far (one of which my DD made off with) and one hat. And I decided I liked the shawl so much, I'm taking a break & doing one for myself right now. It's almost finished, so I'll be back to "work" soon!

Anyway, the shawls can be given any type of edging to embellish (crochet scallops, beads, fringe) and the hats are single crochet, so can be x-stitched, or trimmed with team colors, etc! Same with sweaters!
And I've found that my list is expanding as I go. I made the first 3 shawls for my mom & 2 sisters. The hat was for my dad. I've decided though, that they'd be good gifts for the IL's, so I'll probably do another 2 shawls & 2 hats (actually I do 2 hats per recipiant, so that will be another 4 hats!)

ETA - Oh yeah - wanted to add that last Christmas I did Bath 'baskets' - also crochet. I started in Sept & worked really hard. Did bath scrubbies, (they look like the nylon ones you buy in the store, but made of cotton - thus reuseable & washable

) washcloths, soap savers, & DD & I made soap. Everyone loved them!

**Shelli_wnj** · 06-09-2009, 04:48 PM

I would LOVE the pattern for the bath scrubbies. Is it a published pattern, or did you make it yourself?

**rsbs** · 06-09-2009, 05:28 PM

I got my pattern from
http://www.ecrochetpatterns.com/croc...hetpattern.htm
but check out this site for more bath stuff too!
http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/directory/bath.php

**mauimagic** · 06-09-2009, 11:43 PM

Mahalo for the sites - great ideas and new ones for me too!! Love your energy and organization!!

**rsbs** · 06-10-2009, 02:23 PM

You're welcome!
Another trick I came up with for the bath scrubbies was to use plain white cotton on the inner part & I only used a tight, single chain for the handle, making it longer. This way I was able to make the color yarn I'd chosen (I used 'Sugar & Cream') & get one scrubbie out of one skien! I also just liked the thinner handle better...

**Shelli_wnj** · 06-10-2009, 05:02 PM

Thank you! I have it printed out and in my "to make" pile :-)

**MumtoEmma** · 06-11-2009, 05:13 AM

Originally Posted by Shelli_wnj

Thank you! I have it printed out and in my "to make" pile :-)

Hi

Where do you find the time to even think about making things with 3! little ones under 5???????

I've just learned how to crochet in the last week. Well I guess you could call it been 'shown' how to crochet 2 stitches and the order I do them in. I can't read a pattern at all. oh and why aren't they written in normal English

Anyway I'm making a laprug for my MIL in The Netherlands for Christmas. I'm not very fast and last night DH questioned wether I would be finished in time to send it by sea post from Australia. It might end up being for Christmas 2010 but it will get there!!!!

Good Luck everyone else

**Shelli_wnj** · 06-11-2009, 08:04 AM

Christeen,
Crochet is my sanity

When everyone else is off to book club, or watching TV, or taking a bubble bath, I am crocheting. After the kids go to bed at night. While they are playing with each other outside *I supervise while crocheting. I find the time. I have also been doing crochet for over 5 years, so I am a little more comfortable with the stitches and patterns, etc. You will get there.

As for a laprug on a first project, that's a handful. Not that it's hard, just large, so no instant gratification. I know you can do it, for 2009!!!

**mauimagic** · 06-11-2009, 03:17 PM

Originally Posted by MumtoEmma

Hi

Where do you find the time to even think about making things with 3! little ones under 5???????

I've just learned how to crochet in the last week. Well I guess you could call it been 'shown' how to crochet 2 stitches and the order I do them in. I can't read a pattern at all. oh and why aren't they written in normal English

Anyway I'm making a laprug for my MIL in The Netherlands for Christmas. I'm not very fast and last night DH questioned wether I would be finished in time to send it by sea post from Australia. It might end up being for Christmas 2010 but it will get there!!!!

Good Luck everyone else

Why don't you join our 'dishcloth swap' and practice on dish cloths to start with - talk about instant gratification!! I'd be proud to partner with you and receive your first creations!!

**Shelli_wnj** · 06-11-2009, 05:23 PM

I joined that, too. I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with!

**MumtoEmma** · 06-12-2009, 05:51 AM

Originally Posted by mauimagic

Why don't you join our 'dishcloth swap' and practice on dish cloths to start with - talk about instant gratification!! I'd be proud to partner with you and receive your first creations!!

Hi

That's very sweet

but I have looked at some of the sites mentioned by others to see what these dish cloths look like and I don't even understand what type of wool(or cotton I guess??) they are made of. I really can't understand the patterns. I can only do slip stitch,chain stitch and a treble stitch and only in the order I was shown. I'm making 'Granny squares' that you then put together. I've made 6 of 7 rounds. Does that make sense? Anyway it would be enough to make a little blanket for my daughter's dolls bed. I'm heading over to my Step-Mother's tomorrow so I might see if she can show me more stitches.

Well it's now off to do somemore so DH can use the computer.

**Shelli_wnj** · 06-12-2009, 10:36 AM

Christeen, Granny squares are great! You can make so many things with them. Think scarf (put them together vertically), table runner (Strips 2 squares wide), vest (a bit harder, but still do-able), a purse or handbag (if you have needle skills you could line it, otherwise it would be a great book or beach bag).

Dishcloths are made from cotton yarn, its the most durable and washable. A granny square could make a fun dishcloth depending on the pattern. Don't feel like you have to, but also don't feel intimidated. You can do it

**mauimagic** · 06-12-2009, 02:11 PM

Originally Posted by MumtoEmma

Hi

That's very sweet

but I have looked at some of the sites mentioned by others to see what these dish cloths look like and I don't even understand what type of wool(or cotton I guess??) they are made of. I really can't understand the patterns. I can only do slip stitch,chain stitch and a treble stitch and only in the order I was shown. I'm making 'Granny squares' that you then put together. I've made 6 of 7 rounds. Does that make sense? Anyway it would be enough to make a little blanket for my daughter's dolls bed. I'm heading over to my Step-Mother's tomorrow so I might see if she can show me more stitches.

Well it's now off to do somemore so DH can use the computer.

I use 'Sugar and Cream" cotton yarn for my dishcloths and do a very simple one with the varigated colors.

Here's what I do:

Chain (I use a G hook) however many you want for the length of the dishcloth. (Too bid is worse thn too small IMO)

Row 2 -At the end of the chain, chain one more, this is the first of your second row. Single crochet in each chain to the end of the row.

Row 3 and on - Chain up one to make the first stitch, then single crochet in the top of each single crochet in the row below.

You have your choice of doing your single crochets in both loops of the stitches below or the back or front loop - It doesn't matter - just do them all then same way!!

And that is it. Have fun!!