Now that the holidays are approaching and somehow always end up getting here faster than I think, it’s about time to brainstorm ideas for what to make as gifts. Like many of you, I don’t have much time to make a bunch of large gifts for everyone, so quick, easy and still knock your socks off great, is what I’m going for.

Here are some things that I’ve been considering:

Dishcloth – Just about everyone has a kitchen or something to clean, right? Dishcloths are so fast and easy to crochet and can be used for more than just dishes. Crochet Pattern: Dishcloth with Ridges

Wine Bottle Cozy – Wine has to be one of the most given gifts around the holidays. So why not add a touch of crochet to your wine gift? Crochet Pattern: Easy Wine Bottle Cozy

Animal Bookmarks – There are fast and cute to make for kids, or even adults (like me) who just like cute things. Crochet Pattern: Animal Bookmarks

Beanie – Beanies are always a winter classic! Men, women, boys, girls, and babies…everyone can wear a beanie. Plus they are pretty simple to make if you use the right pattern. Crochet Pattern: Family Beanie Set – 6 sizes

Wrist Warmers – These are pretty fast because they are just rectangles sew into the shape of wrist warmers. If you know the person wears wrist warmers, I think having another pair would never hurt. Crochet Pattern: Beginner’s Wrist Warmers with Ridges

Scarf – Only make a scarf if you know he/she wears scarves. If they do, then that’s great, because scarves are pretty fast to make too! Feel free to use my scarf patterns. (I would list them here but there are too many) You can use the search box at the top of the page and type in “scarf” to find all the scarf patterns.

Do you have a quick crochet gift idea that you would like to share?

Let’s face it, there are tons of things to crochet. But I’m sure everyone has a favorite, no matter how small or big the item may be. I often describe myself as someone who doesn’t like to crochet something more than once, but even I have a favorite thing to crochet!

My favorite is my dishcloth with ridges! It’s nothing fancy and even a beginner can do it. It’s my all time favorite thing to crochet because it is soooo simple! The repetition of single crochet stitches makes it very soothing and relaxing to crochet, no thinking needed. Plus, the dishcloth is pretty small, so I won’t get bored making it. Now if this was a blanket sized pattern…I would probably go insane doing a bunch single crochets in a row.

What’s your favorite thing to crochet?

Now that it’s getting cooler outside (at least it is here in PA), it makes me miss the blooming flowers of the summer. This summer I got to visit the Sarah P. Duke Gardens at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. They have some of the prettiest flowers and the landscape was awesome. The only thing that was missing was my crochet hook and yarn! There were so many benches I could have sat and crocheted on.

Here are a few pictures of the garden that I thought you may enjoy!

My favorite part was the lily pads with the water lilies. I think it was the first time I’ve ever seen them in person! It was a blast looking at all the flowers and as a bonus, visiting the gardens is FREE!! So if you are ever in the NC area, don’t forget to take a trip to the Duke Gardens to see for yourself (and bring your crochet hook and yarn).

So you thought granny squares where just for blankets? Yea, right. Cate Blanchett, an actress you may recognize from hit movies such as The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Hot Fuzz and The Lord of the Rings, was photographed on the red carpet wearing a crocheted granny square dress!

Although the dress is definitely not my style, I do enjoy seeing crocheted fashioned. The granny squares are nicely colored and give a nice contrast with the black outlining. The dress is made of several granny squares and is bordered by ruffles. And before you ask, I do NOT have the pattern to make this awesome dress. But I do have the granny square crochet pattern: How to Crochet A Granny Square.

Crocheting can be done just about anywhere! That’s one of the reasons why I love it so much. Crocheting is portable if you place your work in bag or it can be done from the comfort of your own home while you watch TV. Crochet at home, in the car, on a plane, at the beach, the options are limitless.

Most of my crocheting is done right here in front of my computer. Although it may seem weird for some to crochet at the computer, I love being able to type patterns as I’m making them. But if I’m not crocheting something that needs a written pattern, I’ll probably be who knows where! I like the flexibility to take my projects with me so that I can travel as much as I want and always have something to do. Even if I’m just sitting in a waiting room or taking a trip to visit family, my crochet can always come along with me.

Where do you crochet?

Let me tell you, crocheting isn’t just for Grandma in her rocking chair and it’s not just for women either! Real men, they crochet too. I remember when I was about 10 years old, there was a boy I went to school with. He was the kind that always played sports and got into trouble. The typical boy as I would like to call him. But guess what, he crocheted too, and better than I did! There’s even top crochet designers who are men, Drew Emborsky, to throw out a name. Plus plenty of men crochet groups and crochet books just for men.

So for all the people, who always ask me whether men crochet, the answer is yes!

Do you know a man who crochets?

Heart burn, rug burn…let’s talk about yarn burn! You know when you hold your yarn and it drapes over your finger when you crochet, sometimes you may get yarn burn. I’ve never got yarn burn before, but Ana (a Crochet Spot reader) told me if I or anyone else ever got yarn burn, you should make a finger cozy.

Here is what you do to make a yarn burn preventing finger cozy:

1. Make a foundation chain that is long enough to wrap around your finger.
2. Slip stitch into the first chain made, forming a loop.
3. Single crochet around, until the cozy is the length you desire. You can either crochet in a spiral fashion or chain 1 before each round of single crochet.

According to Anna you should use about 1 skein of cross stitching floss. This way its not so big and bulky and your finger doesn’t feel like its on a diet.

Do you suffer from yarn burn??

Let’s face it, everyone is different. But the way I see it, there are 3 types of crocheters. The ones who need things done fast, the ones that have patience or the ones that can care less. Which one are you?

The “I Need Instant Gratification” Crocheter

• Needs projects done fast for instant gratification.
• Get it done in one sitting or never get it done at all, that’s my motto!
• Doesn’t have the time or the patience for huge projects.

The “Slow and Steady Wins the Race” Crocheter

• Has a ton of patience!
• Loves making blankets and other large items.
• Can work on a project for months and still not get bored of it.

The “I Can Care Less” Crocheter

• Can care less if the project is large or small.
• Makes what the heart desires, no matter how long it takes.
• Has patience, yet still enjoys the boost a small project gives.

Personally, I’m the “I Can Care Less” crocheter. If there’s something I want to make, I’ll make it no matter how big or small it may be or how long it’ll take me to make it. But of course I can always appreciate the satisfaction small ones give!

What type of crocheter are you?

In my dictionary, crochet hooks and yarn/thread aren’t considered crochet accessories. An accessory is one of those things that you don’t really need in order to crochet, but have it anyway. My favorite crochet accessory is my handy dandy 3 in 1 needle threader!! That’s the one I have shown to the right. It helps me thread my yarn and thread (no matter what size it is) into my needles. Although I’m young with decent vision (okay, I do wear glasses), it would take me forever to get the yarn through the eye of a needle without my beloved needle threader.

So what is your favorite crochet accessory? Maybe a favorite stitch marker or ball winder?