Expert: Marla - 11/25/2011

Question
I'm so short on $ for Christmas/Yule. Any ideas for simple & quick crocheting gift projects for someone who SUCKS at reading patterns?
Maybe slipper socks? Please don't say scarves.... I've been making scarves and blankets forever lol. I cannot, for some reason, read/figure out patterns and I know I can't be the only one. HELP!

Answer
Hi Amanda!
Thanks for asking. You are probably trying too hard when reading a pattern, making it difficult on yourself. When the pattern is all crammed together is I copy the pattern down in an easier way to follow. That is, I write the pattern down step by step on a separate line. It takes time, but keeps me from losing my place. maybe you could try writing out the whole pattern, like "single crochet" instead of "sc"

Slipper socks would be nice, and fairly easy to make.

Here are some ideas, but you may need to search the Internet for patterns, or for details. Most of these can be made with just one or two different stitches. It may involve having to buy some materials, too. I don't have many ideas for men, though. If you Google "quick and easy crochet patterns", you may find something that interests you. Maybe some of these ideas may lead you to others ideas.


Toilet paper covers. This would only involve crocheting a circle, then finding a pattern for the side that can conform to the amount of stitches around the circle.

Tissue box covers: :You would need to buy one for a size pattern, using the cube like box, or a regular box. You could use just about any pattern.

Dish cloths: This would mean buying the crochet cotton. This is more expensive. If you can find it on sale, you could probably crochet a dish cloth for under $2.00. You could use just about any pattern you find for scarves or afghans.

You could crochet around a Christmas ball using crochet thread. I'm sure, if you have a thrift store in your area, you could find some decent-looking Christmas balls this time of year. You may be able to find simple patterns for this on the Internet.

Coasters. Again, you could use any pattern for these, taking into account the number of stitches needed.

Dish towels: I am sure there are patterns on the Internet for these. This is where you cut the towel in half then crochet along the cut end so it can hang on the refrigerator. One towel can make two gifts. When on sale, the towels are cheap. I'm sure you could find them on sale this time of year.

Refrigerator magnets: You may need to buy magnetic stripping, but I'm not sure how much it costs. Again, a thrift store may have refrigerator magnets cheap that you could take the magnet off of, or if you have a dollar store in your area, it may have magnets or something with a magnet on it that would be cheaper than buying magnets or magnetic stripping

Pot holders: This can get expensive, though. I've read in various sources that regular yarn can melt if exposed to high temperatures. It has been recommended to use cotton crochet yarn instead, which is more expensive than regular yarn. I have some pot holders with the regular yarn, and have never had a "melting" problem, but maybe nowadays the yarn is made more "meltable"

Pin cushions: You would probably need polyester stuffing for this.

Sachets: Single crochet using crochet thread to make two same sized squares. Fill with potpourri. You may have to buy some fine mesh material so the potpourri won't come through to put the potpourri in first. Then crochet the squares together with the potpourri inbetween.When the side are crocheted together, you could then crochet a frilly border around it.

Pot scrubbers: Use that mesh stuff you can buy in the fabric dept. There should be a pattern for it on the Internet.

I've seen "ear warmers" in the store. It is basically like a head band, except maybe wider.

If you need to make something for children, you could make finger puppets.

Pillows, but you would need polyester stuffing or a pillow form. Or you could find a pillow cheap, and crochet around it.

Bookmarks; place mats; eyeglass cases; hats; soda pop can "cozies".

I've seen some snowflake patterns for ornaments that are fairly simple. But they would need to be starched in the end.

I hope this helps. Let me know how it goes. Good luck!

Marla