Patterns and Ideas for my last Christmas Presents

[donnalynn2]

Help please! I thought I was farther along than this but after inspecting my Christmas List this morning, I realized I still need to hustle to get my projects done!!!

I have several that I just don't know what to make!


I have 3 married couples (they get couple presents) and I need something quick and easy for them. I was thinking of a Dishcloth/Towel set for the woman and something else for the men but after making my last Towel it really took longer than I can afford for as many as I need. Just something quick and easy...

I also have to make something for my husbands oldest niece. She just got engaged and moved out on her own for the first time so I really wanted to make her a nice afghan, but there's just no time. I'm not sure what to make her... And ideas would be welcome!

The big one I need to finish is my nephew Eric. He's turning 16 soon and since he lives up north, I have to have his finished first (the rest of my up north presents are finished) as I try to mail out their packages by the end of Nov at the latest... If need be I'll just make him a GameBoy carrier, but I'd like to find something a little "cooler"... He's not into the whole hacky sack thing so that won't work...

I also have 2 co-workers that I need ideas on... These are the ones I'll be making last (as we will be working on Christmas Eve) so I will have more time for them...

If anyone has any suggestions I would greatly appreciate it!!! THANKS SO MUCH!!!!

[manda]

What about the comfort pack from Crochet Me? I think it was in the previous issue. I am making a few for those hard to buy for people. This may work for the married couples? They work up very quickly and very inexpensive. Good luck!

[crochetfun]

All my female friends appreciated shawls I made for them.

For a couple, a nice throw/ lapghan maybe?

[buggaboosmommy]

For the newly engaged niece, you could make a garter or something for her wedding. OR for a couple gift for them, take some pillowcases and add crocheted trim! I have a set that I received nearly 8 years ago and I love them :)

I think towel sets are great for couples..maybe make a washcloth, one towel, and a dish soap dress. Or even the pillowcases for them as well!

As far as the 16 year old, I think a beanie is still in style for young men. Maybe one in his school colors or even the colors of his favorite sports team?

Co workers, ugh, never know what to get them. How about a shawl, or poncho? Or even the comfort pack, as someone mentioned. Maybe a pair of slippers? Even a small felted purse with some bath products inside! That's what I love giving as hostess gifts...I'm making small felted bags, with a bottle of Victorias secret hand lotion, knitted washcloth, and homemade chocolates.

Hope this helps!


Donna

[mariyel]

How about a few Christmas ornaments for the soon to be newly wed? Maybe a Christmas stocking for your nephew with some chocolate covered pretzels etc. in it.

[shelain22]

I LOVE the 5 1/2 hour throws on the lion brand site, they really so work up in 5 1/2 hours. I am doing them for the married couples in his and her colors, for example, mu aunt and uncle are alabama fans so she will get burgandy and he will get gray. I made them with 3 strands of rhss. And you could increase the starting cha nd make a bigger one for you rneice. As for the nephew, I agree with the stocking. Last year my nephew got a tennessee orange one with an ele ctric shaver, tn. inc pens, candy, and a fart mechine:D heres a good recipie for x-mas candy, some may already know it but for those who dont....

you melt almond bark, however much you want to, add crushed up red and green pepermint, again however much you want to, spread it on a lined cookie sheet, it dont have to look pritty,, quickly melt some simi sweet choc in the microwave, mix some mint flavoring in if you have it, if you dont who cares, drop and swirl on almond bark and drag a knife to give it a marbled look, let cool and break into pieces.

Its really pritty and takes hardley no tim eto make;)

[donnalynn2]

Thanks for all your suggestions! I really like the idea of a homeade stocking with candy... I think I will make it in his school colors... Great idea! THANKS!

I'll have to look into thos 5 1/2 hour lapghans as that would be a great idea if they really do work up that quickly!

Thanks again everyone!!!!

[donnalynn2]

What about the comfort pack from Crochet Me? I think it was in the previous issue. I am making a few for those hard to buy for people. This may work for the married couples? They work up very quickly and very inexpensive. Good luck!

Does anyone know which issue this was in? I remember seeing it but I can't find it in this last issue or the one before that....

[natalie058]

Comfort Pack (http://crochetme.com/Apr_May_2005/patt_comfort_pack.html)

I was also going to suggest a big hook afghan for the niece. They're so warm and comfy and just *usable* - something every home needs. Using a couple strands and an N or larger hook, they work up so fast, you could have it finished in a weekend.

And sc beanies are definitely still cool for the nephew, esp. if he's punky.

What about some beautiful flower brooches for your co-workers, made out of nice fuzzy and novelty yarns? These sell for tons of money in little boutiques and you can really get creative with textures without breaking your budget.

:hook

[threeolivemartini]

the 5 and a half hour throw from the lion site is my tried and true friend!!

[faithpa76]

How about a few Christmas ornaments for the soon to be newly wed? Maybe a Christmas stocking for your nephew with some chocolate covered pretzels etc. in it.
I have to second this one! The throw is a great idea, too.

But - I can tell you that a couple of people (my mom and a cousin) each sent me a Christmas "box" when we got married. We received some lights, ornaments (some handmade, some not), tinsel, a set of plastic Christmas dishes/glasses (super cheap - but I didn't care), a star for the top of the tree, a wreath, a present bag, a tree skirt, and a tree holder. Then when we got to that first Christmas, we had some things that were just for us (without going out and spending money - we were soooo poor then - I think we're tight now, but it was eons worse back then!). I think it's one of the gifts I cherish most, even now!

[Raquel]

For the engaged niece, a garter would be nice; recently made one for my cousin and it took less than an hour; see pic and link to pattern here: http://www.crochetville.org/forum/showthread.php?t=11352&highlight=garter

My "quickie" gift is always scarves. For a woman, Lion Brand's double ruffle boa is a beautiful, luxurious scarf that takes less than 2 hours. Free pattern here: http://freecrochetpatterns.lionbrand.com/patterns/cctq-doubleRuffledBoa50192.html
For guys I make very plain scarves in their favorite team's colors.
Hope this helps!
:book Raquel

[donnalynn2]

For the engaged niece, a garter would be nice; recently made one for my cousin and it took less than an hour; see pic and link to pattern here: http://www.crochetville.org/forum/showthread.php?t=11352&highlight=garter

My "quickie" gift is always scarves. For a woman, Lion Brand's double ruffle boa is a beautiful, luxurious scarf that takes less than 2 hours. Free pattern here: http://freecrochetpatterns.lionbrand.com/patterns/cctq-doubleRuffledBoa50192.html
For guys I make very plain scarves in their favorite team's colors.
Hope this helps!
:book Raquel

Thanks for everyone's suggestions... One little problem... We live in Florida so nobody that I'm needing to make things for have any use for hats and scarves (I made those for all my up north relatives! :)) As for a garter, I've already been commissioned to make one for her wedding (I'm also doing her cake and all her favors) I think I'll do a throw for her maybe...


I started on one of the Bernat throws with Boucle yarn and it's going good so far. If I can get it finished this weekend then I will definately make 2 more for the other couples on my list...

I'd still like to find the pattern for that comfort pack. What a great idea! I went through all of my Crochet! Magazines but I don't see it there. I do remember seeing a pattern for this somewhere, but doggone it if I can find it now...

[natalie058]

I posted the link in this response. :hook

Comfort Pack (http://crochetme.com/Apr_May_2005/patt_comfort_pack.html)

I was also going to suggest a big hook afghan for the niece. They're so warm and comfy and just *usable* - something every home needs. Using a couple strands and an N or larger hook, they work up so fast, you could have it finished in a weekend.

And sc beanies are definitely still cool for the nephew, esp. if he's punky.

What about some beautiful flower brooches for your co-workers, made out of nice fuzzy and novelty yarns? These sell for tons of money in little boutiques and you can really get creative with textures without breaking your budget.

:hook

[donnalynn2]

Thanks for everyones suggestions! I decided to try a quick throw and after working on it most of the weekend it's almost done. I just need to finish the trim and it'll be good to go. I used a large hook and a pattern with a big, shell pattern so it worked up quickly. I need to make 2 more throws for "couples" presents and I really like the boucle yarn. It's so nice and soft and WARM! Wow! I had it flung over my legs while working on it and couldn't believe how warm it was!!! I have only been able to find 2 patterns for throws with boucle yarn, single color only... Does anyone have any ideas for throws using this kind of yarn???

THANKS again for everyone's suggestions!

Oh and since everyone thinks it's a great idea I think I will make my nephew one of those caps... THANKS!