Cute Little Crochet Gift Pouches

For Christmas this year, I decided to make all of my knitting pals personalized stitch markers.  I wanted to gift them in something that could act as wrapping, and as a purposeful holder for their markers, as well.  I was looking through Sasha Kagan's Crochet Inspiration and found a pretty little stitch pattern that had both an interest texture and a slightly lacy look.  It just seemed perfect for using to make little gift pouches.

Over the years I have amassed a collection of crochet cotton that I am not sure I will ever find enough uses for.  Some I have purchased, and much has been donated.  I have used it for other gifts, like mini granny square bookmarks.  And I am currently creating an organizer for my new purse with some of it (if the organizer works out, you may see a post for the pattern in the future).  With the multitude of colours in my stash, I was able to make a different coloured pouch for each friend.

I've just finished making seven in total (Phew!  Just in time for Christmas!).  They work up quickly, and I think they're really cute.  As a Christmas gift to anyone out there reading this blog, I am including the pattern for these little pouches free in this post.

Cute Little Crochet Gift Pouches

MATERIALS:

• #10 crochet cotton OR #8 perle cotton (for a silkier looking pouch)
• 2.25mm (US 1/B) crochet hook

SIZE:  Approx. 6cm (2 3⁄8") wide and 8cm (3 1⁄8") high  [NOTE:  #8 perle cotton        will make a slightly smaller pouch]

TO MAKE:

Using 2.25mm (US 1/B) crochet hook, chain 50.

Foundation row (WS):  Skip one chain, then sc into each remaining chain across (49 sts).  Ch 3, turn.

Row 1 (RS):  *Skip 1 sc, dc into next 3 sc, insert hook from front to back into skipped sc, yo and draw through a long loop, yo and draw through 2 loops on hook; rep from * to last sc, dc into last sc.  Ch 1, turn.

Row 2:  Sc into each st across.  Ch 3, turn.

Repeat Rows 1 & 2 nine times.  Then, work Row 1 once more.  Fasten off.

Finishing:

Fold piece in half with right-sides together.  Sew or crochet seam along side and bottom.  Weave in ends, and turn right-side out.

For ties, work two chains, each approx. 25cm (10") long.  Thread one chain in and out through the holes created by the 9th repeat of Row 1, starting and ending at the seam.  Repeat with the other chain, starting and ending at the fold on the opposite side of the seam.  Weave tails down chain about 2.5cm (1"), then tie ends together.

Enjoy one for yourself, or fill with goodies and gift to your friends!  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

PLIA

PLIA is the latest creation for my occasional three week Knitting for Beginners class.  I wanted to design something that would knit up quick, and this cowl does.  Any knitter who hasn't just picked up needles for the first time could work it up in an evening, maybe two.

The look I was going for was a thick, cosy cowl with multiple personalities.  I wanted it to go from the typical big rolled cowl like you would see on the neck of a sweater, to something deep enough that you could pull it up over your face when needed.

Something you could cuddle down into.

Then it struck me!  What if there was some way to pin it into a more asymmetrical fold?  Something to style it up a notch.

Enter the two-sided button.  This an old trick that works something like a cufflink.  You can have a large WOW! button on one side, and then a stylish, but smaller button on the other side which can pop right through the stitches of your knitting.

The result is a multitude of different looks!  Depending on the jacket you are wearing, your hairstyle, your mood, whatever, you can choose the cowl style you want to go with it, all from one project.

And because this cowl is reversible, with the two different textured sides shown above, that's two times the multitude of different looks.

You can even wear it as a snood.

Interested in knitting this project?  Here is some helpful information.

SIZE:  Finished circ. approx. 66cm (26"), with approx. depth of 21cm (8¼").

GAUGE:  8 sts and 8 rows = 10cm (4") in Garter Stitch on 12mm (17US) needles

MATERIALS:  

• 1skein Ushya by Mirasol [approx. 105m (114yds)/100g]
• 12mm (17US) circ. needle OR 1 pair 12mm (17US) needles
• 1 medium-sized button AND 1 large-sized decorative button (optional)

(NOTE: Instructions are provided for working this cowl in the round, or flat and seamed.)
Have fun playing with this cowl the create different looks!

BOSIE

I love mittens!  Gloves may allow for more dexterity, but my fingers are still cold.  Only mittens truly keep my hands warm.  And, if you're going to knit mittens, why not have an attractive pair?  With BOSIE I have included three cable variations to choose from to embellish your mittens.  They range in difficulty from easy to more advanced, each given a rating in the pattern.

Above is Hugs and Kisses, my favourite.  It is the most technical cable in the bunch, but definitely doable once you understand basic cables.  I love the whimsical quality of this mitten.

The Classic Cable is rated easy.  It is the most basic cable, but it still makes a very pretty mitten.  The look is more that of elegant simplicity (and yes, I do think mittens can be elegant).

Last, but not least, the Wave Cable creates a more contemporary cabled mitten.  The cable wends its way up the mitten like a snaking river.  Its clean lines speak to a more modern sensibility.

Like the Wave Cable mitten, you could opt for a traditional Aran colour for your mittens, but playing with colour can be a lot of fun.  My only recommendation would be to stay away from very dark colours, like black and navy.  The colour needs to be light enough to show the shadows of the cable twists.  Otherwise, all your hard work would be for not.

Interested in knitting this project?  Here is some helpful information.

SIZE:  Teen/woman's small: 18cm (7") hand circ.

        Woman's medium: 19cm (7½") hand circ.

        Woman's large/man's small 20.5cm (8") hand circ.

GAUGE:  20 sts = 10cm (4") in Stocking Stitch on 4.5mm (7US) needles

MATERIALS:  

• 100g/approx. 200 m ball/skein of medium weight yarn
• 1 set 4.5mm (7US) dpn needles
• 1 stitch holder OR waste yarn
• 4 stitch markers

With so many options, you will find a mitten to suit anyone!