total loss for ideas for grandma - help!

[luckygrrl]

GAH!!!!! Christmas is eating my brain this year, I swear!!

I am slowly working my way out from under the pile of projects I have this year for gift giving. However, I am completely stumped for one person!! Here's the situation..

My boyfriend and I are going to my mom and step-dad's next week, to spend a week pre-Christmas since this year we're going to my bf's parents' house for Christmas itself. Anyway, I just made arrangements to go spend a night at my step-grandma's (she lives about an hour away from them). I love spending time with her, but we no longer do family celebrations where everyone gives each other gifts, so I don't usually get/make her anything anymore. However, since we're spending the night at her house, I'd really love to make her something (my boyfriend is an artist and made her a really nice small collage painting).

I was originally going to make her this from CrochetMe, which I and know she would too but a) is turning out VERY time-consuming (and I am really short on time!), plus I'm not much liking how it's turning out with the yarn I picked.

I am TOTALLY STUMPED for ideas for her! I have NO time to go get more yarn, so it has to be something accomplished with my stash (which isn't huge, but isn't too bag). Here's my parameters:

• It needs to be something quick (a few hours I'm hoping for)
• I have to be able to make it from my stash (so it can't call for like 3 balls of something, because I'll probably only have 1 )-- so smaller is probably better
• can't be thread crochet (I don't know how)
• I only have sport weight and up in terms of yarn, and I (sadly) have no 100% wool (so no felting of anything)
• is not a holiday decoration (i.e. no snowflakes, reindeer, snowman, etc)-- she doesn't really decorate much with specific "holiday" themed things
• is not a potholder, kitchen towel or anything like that-- she doesn't use them
• is something more exciting than just a plain scarf in sc or dc or whatever... she knows I crochet and she is one of my crafty mentors, so I'd like to be able to show off my newish skill (she's never seen my crochet)
• is not a shawl or wrap (probably too time-consuming, plus wouldn't want it to "compete" with the gift I made my mom last year)
• is not a hat (wouldn't want it to "compete" with my the gift I made my mom gift this year )
• is something appropriate for a woman in her 70s, who loves all things crafty, recycle-y, nature-y, etc.

One more tidbit: she is the type of person who really ADORES anything you make her, considers flaws part of the whole process, and is generally a total peach to give presents to. Which does help this a bit.

But, even so, I am at a loss! HELP!! It's Tuesday and my flight is next Monday and I have so much to accomplish between now and then (fortunately some of my remaining crochet projects I can do on vacation or just after in that week before Christmas, since they're for my bf's fam). My brain is STUCK on this one, and I'd love to come up with something really special!!

[fran]

How about CrochetMe's rose shaped bath pouf? They're very pretty and don't take long to make.

[luckygrrl]

That is really cute!I wonder if it could be made with acrylic? I don't have enough cotton yarn unfortunately to work with, but I do have white and pink acrylic (I think sport weight pink tho). The pattern looks a little indimidating, with the slip stitching through the base, I've never done anything like that. Plus I can't figure out what she's trying to get you to do on the back after you do the first round of pink. (Edited to add: ohhh wait, I think I see that it's making a front and back piece, but all done together.) I'll read through it more carefully and see if I think I could handle it.

[chickpea67]

What about a couple flower pins for her lapel to wear at church or a sturdier one for her winter coat--or to pin on the hat your mom got her THIS year

I don't remember where I saw them but there were gorgeous flowers awhile ago for some flower making competition?

[Seneca and Scooch]

How about a pair of slippers to keep her feet toasty warm? They work up fairly quickly and can be made out of acrylic.


Coralie

[luckygrrl]

Chickpea-- I edited my post because I realized it made it sound like the gifts my mom made, when I meant that I didn't want anything to compete with the gifts I made my mom. Don't want any motherly jealously directed my way.

Flower pins might be a good idea! I'm trying to think if I've ever seen her wear anything like that. I certainly have enough yarn to do a few different varieties, probably!

Seneca-- now that I think about it, I don't think she wears slippers (though she keeps her house so cold, I can't imagine why she wouldn't! ) But thank you for the suggestion! I really have been wanting to make myself a pair.

[buggaboosmommy]

I love the slippers idea! Or the bath pouf, and attached it to a small bottle of shower gel. Or..how about an ornament? After all, it is Christmas!

Donna

[Cuddlefish]

Here are some small things that don't take too long to make. The candle-collar-thingies take maybe 30 minutes each, without beads on them. The pattern is very simple, I can tell you if you're interested. It's actually what I'm giving my grandmum.


http://img419.imageshack.us/img419/6...ulegave9cq.jpg

[crochet smartcat]

What about something like a Kleenex box cover or Toilet Paper cover. I have seen some cute ones online, though I don't have specific links. A tea cozy? What about a nice thank you card with a crocheted flower or something, thanking her for being your craft mentor and inspiration?

IMHO, most grandmas and parents appreciate the thought behind the gift, if not the gift itself. So don't stress too much about finding the perfect something, just make her something from the heart and she will treasure it always.

[natalie058]

I think you should totally stick with the cowl idea. It sounds like it's something that you know both you and she would enjoy already; the only thing that's not working out is the pattern, right??

I'd just pick the softest, nicest yarn you've got enough to make something out of, pick a nice, open, lacey stitch [read: goes FAST!!], and make a big, loose tube - that's all a cowl is, really...

Just change what you need to change to make it go how you want, y'know? If you'd like some stitch suggestions, PM or email me, I might be able to help you find something quick.