Handmade Gifts

October, November and December were some of my most productive creative months yet most of the stuff I made were Christmas gifts and therefore have not been shared anywhere online yet, which is what I usually do on Instagram on finishing anything! So here it all is…

I made a little amigurumi teddy for my little boy, from Simply Crochet mag issue He is very pleased with him, especially the red jumper which is his favourite colour. I used Stylecraft Special DK for a more snuggly feel to the teddy. 

I made another amigurumi toy, this time a donut for my daughter to go with all the toy cakes she asked for, for her baby doll to eat. I used some questionable quality acrylic yarn I had in my stash but it seems fine as a donut! 

More crochet, a snuggly cowl scarf for my mother in law in her favourite colour. This made using Drops Nepal, which is wool and alpaca Aran weight yarn and just lovely to work with.

Yet more crochet, some coasters for my godmother, which I hope match her colour scheme in her living room. I used my favourite Drops Muskat to make these. 

A break from crochet! I used some Liberty fabric to make a brooch each for my mother and sister using Dandelyne mini brooch hoops. I’m going to have to make one for myself too at some point. 

Using a free template from Paper and String and some of their wool felt I made an embroidered cactus for another of my sisters. I filled the bottom with some lentils to help it stand up. I’d made one for myself a while ago which she had admired on Instagram (so useful to get ideas for people!) 

Back to crochet, I made a cushion cover for my youngest sister with Stylecraft Mosaic in Graffiti. This is a super chunky yarn and the colours are beautiful. I think my husband got tired of me exclaiming over it. My kids thought the pom-poms were the best bits. I sewed the crochet square by hand onto an IKEA cushion cover which I’d altered a bit. This one was a bit hard to give away! 

I made a little picture for my daughters bedroom using some wool felt bunnies from Cloud Craft and some ribbons and fabric from my stash. I had a right time of it getting it into the hoop, those flexi hoops are a right pain! I’m not sure it’s straight but as she is only three I have got away with it! 

More crochet, quite a few people got crocheted baubles, each were different. 

My grandma was given a festive crochet mandala style doily. I like the colours in this, I think I’ll probably be making one for my house too. It’s made from Stylecraft Classique Cotton, in DK I think.

My two nephews were made hand appliquéd pennants to hang on their bedroom door. This was inspired by an idea in Mollie Makes Magazine. I was really pleased with them.

And finally, this crocheted mandala doily mat thing for my other sister (that’s three sisters if you wondered! My two brothers didn’t get handmade gifts, too tricky!) I loved making this and she liked it too. 

I didn’t sleep much on Christmas Eve, wondering if people would like their gifts. Then I got rather stupidly emotional after giving all my hand made stuff! My husband told me don’t be daft. I’m trying! 

Teresa xx