In the World of Crochet
The holidays are quickly approaching! If it hasn’t happened already, decorations will be hauled out of storage and placed on trees, doors, mantels, windows and in every conceivable bare spot around the house. There’s no doubt that these pieces are dear to your heart, especially if they were made or handed down by a loved one. But wouldn’t it be fun to have something new and exciting in your collection? So let’s see what we can crochet… Start right here in this issue! It features beautiful, clever and distinctive designs, many of which don’t require a lot of yarn or time to complete. Some projects are not only fun to look at, but they’re useful as well. Take a look at the Christmas Star Coasters on page 12 and the Peppermint Twist Rug on page 28. After you’ve made everything that this and past issues of Crochet World offer, if you still need holiday cheer, check out other publications from Annie’s Publishing. Look for leaflets, brochures, books and magazines at your favorite yarn or craft store. Annie’s Craft Store online (www.AnniesCraftStore.com) features hundreds of delightful designs as well as yarn from numerous companies. No doubt you’ll want to make future heirlooms, so look at what’s available in the many easy-tofind patterns. Consider creating a theme—perhaps crocheted snowpeople (see Crochet World‘s December 2017 issue), snowflakes or a Nativity scene (see Heirloom Nativity at AnniesCraftStore.com). Multicolored crocheted light bulbs are a safe and fun way to decorate your tree and use up lots of scrap yarn! Or make a set of window ornaments in your favorite Christmas color—is it a traditional, contemporary or jewel-tone shade? Although Hanukkah is a minor holiday on the Jewish calendar, the desire to celebrate and decorate is major! A hanukkia (9-arm candlabra also known as a menorah) and candles, Stars of David, jugs of oil and dreidels (spinning tops) are the symbols of the holiday. Blue and white are the dominant colors, so any crocheted home decor item can be adapted as something special for your Hanukkah table or window display. Fill your home with 8 days of beautiful and unusual decorations. Serve your latkes (potato pancakes) on place mats that are quick to make! Kwanzaa, the African-American celebration of community, family and culture, is characterized by the colors black, red and green. Although there aren’t many crochet patterns specific to this 7-day holiday, many designs can be modified to make the kinara (candle holder), mkeka (mat), bendera (flag) and other symbols. No matter what you celebrate, don’t forget the warmth of a holiday afghan! It’s not only a striking burst of color, it also provides warmth on cold days and nights. Consider the lovely Snowy Evening Afghan (page 24) made with two strands held together that work up quickly—perfect for a lastminute gift to yourself or someone special. Accent pillows are the finishing touch to your holiday home decor. Take a look at the wonderful Country Christmas Pillow on page 8. It features charming thread motifs appliquéd to a red striped pillow.
Finally, don’t forget New Year’s Eve! If you’re hosting a party, crochet coasters in gold, silver and black yarns for a very festive mood. Use up thread or scrap yarn to crochet wine charms and tie them on the champagne or wine glass stems. Give your guests this adorable memento for their Christmas tree or holiday window. Adapt a crocheted corkscrew pattern and make streamers to toss at midnight. You can even find a pattern for wine bottle covers in past issues of Crochet World! Involve your children in making decorations. If your child can make crocheted chains, she or he can make a garland. Have her or him pre-string small ornaments with hanging loops on a novelty yarn, perhaps one with a metallic glint in your favorite holiday color (Red Heart’s Sparkle Scrubby is ideal for this project). With any size hook that your child handles comfortably, have her or him work a preset number of chains, slide an ornament close to the hook, work the same number of chains, slide the next ornament, and continue in this manner until the garland is the desired length (or they run out of baubles). Fasten off, fold over the ends and sew to make hanging loops. Voilà! A quick, easy and fun project of which your little one will be proud to say, “I made it!” It’s easy to make a Star of David too. Crochet two triangles with straight edges, lap one over the other with the center points facing in opposite directions and sew together. It’s a good project for a child, especially if it’s made in rows of single crochet stitches. Even if time is growing short, it’s always worth your while to make crocheted holiday pieces. The gratification and pleasure of those decorations will come back year after year!