Crochet Gifts 2018

This Year's Crochet Christmas Gifts

So I know I haven't blogged that much this year, but that doesn't mean I haven't been doing stuff! The last few weeks I have been hard at work getting my crochet gifts done. Here's what I have along with where you can find patterns. 

Want to see more of my finished projects? You can check out the project gallery of my blog as well as my Ravelry projects.

Asymmetrical Shawl

Pattern- Tango Shawl, Moogly

Yarn-Lion Brand Shawl In A Cake

Knit Slouch Hat, Fur Pom Pom

Pattern- Freestyled this! Child sz, CO 74(5mm needles). Ribbed band, 12 rows purl, 10 rows knit

Yarn- Hobby Lobby, I Love This Yarn, black and Elements Flower

Pom Pom- DIY'ed that

Hat with Beard

Grey Hat Pattern- Bright Stripes Beanie, KT And The Squid

Beard(small)- Bobble Beard, Ashley Marie

Plaid Hat Pattern- Kids Plaid Hat, Whistle and Ivy

Heart Earflap Hat

Hat Pattern- Valentine Heart Earflap Hat, Classy Crochet

Purple and Grey Hat

Hat Pattern- V-stitch Winter Beanie, Over The Apple Tree

Ralphie Rabbit

Pattern: Ralphie Rabbit Raglow

Grey Stripe Pusheen Cat

Pattern- Stripey Cat

Cowl

Pattern- Stargazer Cowl, Left In Knots

Yarn- Lion Brand Scarfie

Christmas Years Past Projects

2013   2014   2015   2016

Subscribe and get my new blog posts sent to your inbox!

I will be sharing with these great blogs!

Follow me here:

Pinterest » Facebook » Bloglovin' » Etsy
Google+ » StumbleUpon » Instagram

Crochet Gifts 2014

I show my love for family and friends by giving handmade gifts! I figure they are sick of the same old stuff and handmade means you get something one of a kind and hopefully useful. Here are some crochet gifts I made this year along with links to the free patterns(photos are my own). 

Dragon

I did make a few alteration to the pattern as advised by others on Ravelry

Pattern by Lucy Ravenscar

Purse

I've had this pattern saved on Pinterest for a while but was overwhelmed by the chart pattern. I got over it and love how this turned out!

Pattern by Pierrot Yarns 
If you're interested in trying this pattern check out my tutorial to accompany the chart pattern. 

Puppy

This beagle puppy is so cute as are all amigurumi patterns from this designer. I found eyes and nose at Hobby Lobby

Pattern by Mary Walker

Button Infinity Scarf

These beautiful wood buttons are very reasonably priced at Hobby Lobby

Pattern by Fiber Flux

Brain Waves Beanie

Love all patterns from this designer and this one is free!

Pattern by Playin' Hooky Designs

Shell Stitch Cowl

Pattern by All About Ami

Ribbed Button Cowl

I didn't double up the yarn I used for this as the pattern called for and it came out just fine.

Pattern by Creative Jewish Mom

Color Block Earflap Hat

This is my go to earflap hat pattern. For this hat I changed it up a little by making longer in the back.

Pattern By Repeat Crafter Me

Bacon Scarf

My kid has this thing with bacon because of a ridiculous YouTube music video. He's going to LOVE this!
Pattern by Drunken Aunt Wendy

Hooded Cowl

Special request from my teen son.
Original design by me...pattern coming soon!

Want to see my crochet creations from last year? Click here

Thank you so much for visiting my blog!
Project Gallery

I will be sharing with these great blogs!

Visit Over The Apple Tree's profile on Pinterest.

Follow me here:

Pinterest » Facebook » Bloglovin' » Etsy
Google+ » StumbleUpon » Instagram

Gifts Kids Can Make

Get kids more involved in gift GIVING!

When my kids were little, we would take them to the grandparents, aunts and uncles to spread holiday cheer and of course to exchange gifts. At that time, they were still little and it was pretty much all about the kids. I found them having the attitude of, "I'm here, where's my present?" Ummm, I don't think so!

How do you teach kids it's better to give than to receive? Who am I kidding, we all love to get gifts! We did it by implementing a family gift exchange. We exchange names every year at Thanksgiving, the kids exchange names with the kids and the adults exchange with the adults. It's tons of fun and it's a great way to get the kids excited about giving, not to mention way more economical than buying a present for every single member of the family! In addition to the gift exchange I have my three children get or make gifts for each other as well. The kids end up happy to get their own gift but are really excited to see the reaction that their gift they gave gets.

Another way to get kids more involved in gift giving is making homemade gifts. It gets them away from the idea of ‘material’ gifts and helps them start thinking about meaningful gift ideas instead. There are some great ways to give homemade gifts that people will really want and use. Here are a few ideas that would be great for kids to do themselves or at least help out with...

Photo Gifts

I'm a huge fan of photo gifts. I take tons of pictures throughout the year and now is a great time to get them out of your computer for everyone to see. Sites like Shutterfly have tons of beautiful photo gifts you can personalize. Your kids could absolutely help pick out their favorite photos from the year and make something like a photo book or a calendar for the grandparents, OR...hand over your camera!

While browsing through Shutterfly I was trying to think how you could make all these awesome gifts more kid friendly. Here's the secret, your photos don't have to be of people! Let your kids take photos of their gift recipient's favorite stuff! It could be a special toy, sports equipment, favorite places or even pets. Their pictures could be compiled into a holiday calendar or poster collage. They could even take one special picture and put it on a blanket, pillow or cup. There are so many possibilities!

Here's a project that my boys have been working on for their sister. They're taking her Barbies and making a calendar.

Put Kid's Artwork On A Pillowcase
I saw this great DIY idea to transfer kids artwork on to tea towels and it got me thinking, how else could kids share their unique artwork? My oldest son loves to draw and I wish more people could see and appreciate his art. Here is a homemade pillow case he made as a gift for his brother. 

Soap
Melt and pour soap is crazy easy. You can purchase the soap base and scented oil at almost any craft supply store. Let the kids pick out and experiment with different add ins. Melt base in microwave, add the scent oil and any other add ins, then pour into molds. See my Honey Almond Chamomile Recipe here. If you did clear glycerin soap you could even stick a prize inside for fun soaps for kids!

Bracelets

Bracelets are fun and easy, plus they are great for girls or boys. I spent hours making friendship bracelets when I was a kid and now they are back in style. Here are some creative tutorials I found online:

1. Zipper Bracelet: BRIT+CO
2. Friendship Bracelets: Art Projects For Kids
3. Soda Tab Bracelet: All Free Jewelry Making
4. Paracord Bracelet: Instructables

Sock Creatures
Make stuffed creatures out of stray socks! This project is better for kids a little bit older that can handle a needle and thread. I found this book Stupid Sock Creatures at my library and my kids really had fun with it. See the sock creatures my kids created and my tutorial for a sock monkey here.

Personalized Headphones Or Phone Charger

You can't go anywhere without seeing someone on their cell or with ear buds in. My kids go through headphone like crazy! It seems like either the head phones or the phone chargers are always lost or getting mixed up with someone else's. You can easily personalize these with embroidery floss! All you "not crafty" people, never fear...it's so easy, your kids can do it! You only have to know how to tie a knot! Tutorial here.

Yummy Treats

I usually go way overboard with Christmas cookies...along with everyone else. What if you gave ready to bake cookie dough instead? That way your friends, neighbors, teachers, family could bake it later after they've eaten all their other Christmas cookies! See how I make mine here. Last year as an alternative to cookies I made various flavored popcorn. There are a billion recipes on Pinterest for everyone's taste. Toss it in a cute container and it's the perfect gift! Kids love to help out in the kitchen and the popcorn especially is really easy.

Thank you so much for visiting my blog!
Project Gallery

I will be sharing with these great blogs!

Visit Over The Apple Tree's profile on Pinterest.

Follow me here:

Pinterest » Facebook » Bloglovin' » Etsy
Google+ » StumbleUpon » Instagram