Free Christmas tree pattern

If you are looking for a cute and easy pattern of a Christmas tree, visit this blog post on my blog for instructions in Dutch and English. For more Christmas crochet patterns, click here for an overview of blog posts with lots of (free) patterns. Have a happy Christmas!

Star

This crochet star can be used for numerous purposes. Use it to cheer up your keychain, make a magic wand of it or hang it in your Christmas Tree. Pattern available here.

has it started yet ?

i've not posted for long here and well, nothing is new, i still crochet shawls, wristwarmers & scarves... but this weekend as i finished sewing the halloween costume my 12 yo daughter had ordered, i just awoke to the thought it was time to start my little handmade Christmas presents !

over the years, i am more and more aware of who to make things for, and who will not care (for these last my hands can rest). i usually write a list ahead of time with a few gift ideas next to each name. it isn't about how much you make or how big, but how pertinent the gift will be and how much love you put into it, is it ?!
i started gathering some crochet links (click to go to the pattern page) these past two days and would like to share a few ideas (most of them being quickly made, it shouldn't be about skipping your beauty sleep, right ?) that might come as a reminder to you, or that you may have not come across yet.

stars, snowmen, christmas stockings, an afghan with sleeves...

3D stars in the colors of your choice 

a moustache for small ones & older ones to have fun on christmas day

some pretty hangers that you could pair with a jar of homemade laundry detergent & wood pegs

a hook case for your fellows crocheters

a flower frame with the photo of a loved one (or several small ones as tree ornaments)

two love birds, on a pretty branch as a mobile for some new fiancés ?!

a reusable grocery bag for the farmers market

a hearts & flowers table runner

a set of mini storage baskets, maybe wrapped with small craft supplies

some votive candles covers (i want to make these using hemp, linen or a matt cotton !)

a slouchy hat

some scalloped bracelets (& some beauties/make-up supplies for your favorite teen girl)

some tulle dish scrubbies (along with a jar of homemade & some nice tea-towels ?!)

and some slippers, of course !

that's all for today... i was wondering... wouldn't it be nice if we could all share a few handmade ideas for some pre-Christmas crochet inspiration during this month of November ?

A Swap package all the way from the USA

I got my swap package the other day and I must say WOW what a wonderful package! Here are some photos of what was inside the HUGE parcel.

As you can see I got spoilt by Pammy Sue! The beautiful pineapple shawl in the background is just perfect to snuggle up with.

Here are some cute cowboy inspired Christmas ornaments, already hanging on our tree I must say!

And last but not least two wonderfully festive pot holders. I just love the sparklly yarn.

Thank you sooooo much Pammy Sue. It's been wonderful having you as a swap partner.

If I don't post again before Christmas I would just like to wish everyone the very best for the festive season and a safe and happy new year.

It's time to send your swap package!

Just a quick reminder to those of you participating in the Christmas swap. Officially all swap packages should now be sent! If you are going to be late sending your package PLEASE let your partner know. If anyone is not going to be able to fulfill their end of the bargain, i.e. is not going to be able to send a package then let me know ASAP so I can organize something for your partner. Hopefully this is not the case.

I look forward to seeing people's posts once they receive their packages!

Thank you all
Kathy Ann

At Least One More For SWAP

Hello crochet lovers,
it is getting close to the September 1st joining deadline for our Christmas/Holidays Potholder swap.

At the moment we have 11 people signed up and we need at least one more person to join so that everyone has a partner. Is there anyone out there who would like to take the 12th place? This Swap is open to all people inlcuding our followers. I'm not sure if I made that clear.

So if you are interested and have not yet joined please get emailing and join the Christmas/Holiday Potholder swap!

Thanks again to EVERYONE for making this blog just awesome and so inspiring!

Kathy Ann

Information for Christmas/Holiday Swap 2009

Okay, this post will outline the details for the

Christmas/Holiday Potholder Swap 2009.

Please join by 1st of September 2009
Partner details will be sent to you by 14th September, 2009
Swap packages sent out on 1st December 2009

join by sending an email to jedimaster_chick@yahoo.com.au with the following questionare filled out (copy and paste in the body of your email). Please put I want to join Swap in the email subject, I get lots of spam dont want to delete your email by accident!

I will then send you back the name and contact details, plus the questionare from your partner so you know something about them and can make further contact with them etc. I hope I can pair people up with similar interest etc, hence the questionare.

Questionare
1. Name
2. Email address and blog address if you have one
3. Age
4. Whether you are interested in receiving a Christmas or Holiday themed item
5. Favourite colours
6. Any allergies (i.e. to pet hair or smoke)
7. Crochet level, i.e. beginner, intermediate etc.
8. Country you are from and languages you speak

I will let everyone swap postal addresses themselves so that it is kept private between you and your partner, not that I plan on stalking anyone etc. hehehehehe

List of things to send in swap
1. One crochet potholder in a Christmas or Holiday theme (depending on what your partner wants)
2. A copy of your favourite crochet pattern (relate it to your partner's crochet level)
3. A ball of your favourte yarn.
4. Something that is relates to your family or culture's Christmas/Holiday traditions . This might be a written letter about your traditions, photos of Christmas/holiday traditions, a recipe for food you always cook for Christmas/Holidays, a how-to-do tutorial for making decorations you use etc.


This is a basic list of things to send. If people want to add more to their packages please consult your partner so that they don't feel bad if they didn't send as much as you did and you dont feel like your efforts were not returned etc. Basically I just want to say it is IMPORTANT to communicate with your partner and decide how much you want to send to each other. Some may not be able to afford as much as their partners or might not have as much time to make as many potholders as the other etc. Take this into consideration!!!!!! The swap should be a fun and lovely experience!

So that's all from me. If there is anything I've left out or you need more information just leave a comment. I look forward to receiving your emails!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Too early to start talking about a Christmas/Holidays' Swap?

Hello my dear For-The-Love of Crochet Alongers, I've been thinking about this for a while now but I'm not sure if it's too early to start talking about it... What you think girls, shall we have a Christmas/Holidays' (for the non Chrismassy members) Swap??????

I remember being part of the swaps on the Granny Along and they were so much fun! One thing I know about swaps is that I appreciate having lots of time in advance to get stuff done. If I gave everyone interested a month to show interest that takes us to September then we can make stuff by end of Novemeber and then send early December. How does that sound? That would give us 3 months to make something, is that long enough?

I thought since everyone is in a potholder frenzy at the moment maybe the theme can be Christmas/Holiday Pot Holder Swap! They don't take too long to make like an afghan and you will always need them for the Chrissy/ Holiday feast!

Anyhooo let me know if this is a good idea and if you would be interested. If people show interest I will then officially get your details and organise partners etc.

P.S. did I mention how much I LOOOVE the support you are all giving each other? What a lovely community we have here! Keep it up!