Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Crocheted Christmas Decorations


Merry Christmas everyone. You know the feeling. You’ve spent weeks decorating and everything looks perfect…almost. There’s a niche that seems forlorn. A gaping hole in the Christmas tree screams out for one more decoration. It happens to me very year…the bane of a perfectionist’s existence.

So I get out my crochet hook.

 
Years ago the crafty ladies in the office met during lunch to crochet, and one year we all made these cute Christmas boots. As you can see, they’re simply made. Thirteen mini granny squares whipped stitched together with a shell border and a chain tie. The toe is stuffed with a weight (I use a box of staples) and tissues. A small cup is wedged in the opening and filled with candy. I show canes here, but everyone’s favorite is silver bells (Hershey's kisses).

The Christmas boot candy dish takes no time to make and adds that homey splash of color to any lonely nook.

Now for the tree. I grew up in rural Georgia, and we went into the woods to find our tree, always a cedar. Pines are nice, but the cedar’s heavy scent permeates the whole house.

We had only twenty glass ornaments, carefully unwrapped and oh, so strategically placed. I was in charge of filling in the gaps around those elegant ornaments. My creative soul came alive as I made things of beauty out of foil and yarn, pinecones and paint, popcorn and berries. What fun I had.
 
Most of my ornaments are purchased today, but there’s always that empty place, and this year I crocheted this little Christmas cone. All it requires is a few yards of yarn and a bit of ribbon. I’ll insert the directions for my crocheting friends.


(With worsted weight yarn and G hook tie on, 2 sc for anchor row. Sc in rounds, increasing 2 sc in every round until you have 16 sc. Attach contrasting yarn, dc in each sc around. Ch 3, sc in each dc around. Make a chain about ten inches long, dc in each chain to make handle. Tack handle to each side at top of cone. Weave two strips of ribbon through each side at the top dc row and tie into bows.)

It’s ready to hang on the tree. Drop in a piece of candy as a surprise, or as I hinted to my husband, it makes a perfect hiding place for jewelry. Just saying.

Do you have hand-made decorations on your tree?

12 comments:

  1. Yes! a Ring! or necklace, something bright and sparkly. Love these patterns and will pass them on to my crocheting friends.

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  2. I agree Patricia. Something in gold or diamonds. Of course I'm dreaming. Hope your friends like the decorations though.

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  3. I didn't know you crocheted, Elaine! Or maybe I did and just forgot. :) My granny taught me. Her aunt taught her and her aunt's aunt taught her. :) She's visiting this week and now she's asked me to teach her how to make a hat I did with puff stitches. It's a little ironic in a fun kind of way.

    I love your new profile picture!

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  4. Oh! I forgot to say, thanks for including the pattern for the Christmas cone. That is adorable.

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  5. Hi Natalie

    Crocheting is fun and soothing. I wish my granddaughter would be still long enough to teach. Maybe she will before she grows up. I love crocheted hats. Think I'll make a new one this year. Thanks for stopping by.

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  6. Your decorations are beautiful, cp! I know how to knit,--I don't know how to crochet as well, so I admire anyone who can do it. And your granddaughter will come around one day. I know she will.

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  7. Replies
    1. Thanks Amber,

      Homemade decorations hold memories too.

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  8. That Christmas boot is adorable. :) Thanks for sharing, Elaine.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Crystal for keeping this blog going. I've enjoyed it.

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    2. Thanks for contributing, Elaine. You're part of what makes it such fun. :) Hope you have a Merry Christmas! :D

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