If you are anything like me you will have a crochet to-do list as long as your arm and with Christmas fast approaching you will probably have had several thoughts of what to hand make and gift this December. I can remember more than several occasions, sitting up into the small, wee hours desperately hooking and that deadline looming and it kind of stole the joy.
With that in mind I have put together my top 10 best tips for keeping your crafting time and gifting this Season, super organised and efficient and most importantly stress-free! Leaving you feeling in control and calm in the festive run-up and bossing the hand-made gifting, leaving you plenty of time to enjoy the festivities.
What’s more I have put together a FREE editable 10 page Christmas Crochet organiser, so you can keep track of your progress and pattern notes and conquer your hand-made gifting this year. Simply sign up to get your Christmas Crochet Organiser delivered straight to your inbox (offer available until 30th November 2023) Already subscribed? Then check your inbox now (please check your spam folder if you cannot find your email)
1. Plan Ahead
I can’t state this enough! I am guilty of thinking I can get a project done more quickly than I actually can and this leads to trouble and tears…trust me! It is really worthwhile writing a list of who you are going to make for and what you want to make for them. Sign up for my 10 page Crochet Christmas Organiser to help you plan ahead, you will find the links above and below.
If your list is looking too long, you may have to re-think. Work within your own capacity is the golden rule here. Make a plan and keep track of it for those festive wins. Once you have got your crochet plans finalised get your patterns sorted and order your yarn; making sure you’ve got enough…you don’t want to be losing a game of yarn chicken on Christmas Eve!
2. Start Early
By early, I mean start as early in the year as you can. It is not a great idea to start a blanket for that special someone at the beginning of December, if you are also working full time, running the home and entertaining relatives who have come to visit. On the other hand, if you can dedicate large chunks of time each day, this might work. If you want to make something like a blanket, start well in advance and this is why planning ahead really works.
3. Keep projects small and simple
This is one of my favourite tips. By keeping projects small you will be able to gift hand-made to more people. Keeping projects small also keeps the cost of each gift down and that has to be a win. You will also get that finished feeling buzz and, with smaller projects that bell will get rung more often. Meaning you can tick off that to do list more quickly; giving you that sense of satisfaction and achievement.
4. Choose quality yarn
If you can make your gifts with fabulous yarn, your gift will not only ooze quality and charm but it will give you much joy whilst you make. Think hand dyed yarns, local yarns, supporting small yarn traders and ethical companies when choosing your yarns and keep the recipient in mind when choosing too.
5. Be mindful of wool allergies
Talking of said recipient, be mindful that some folk have allergies to high content wool mixes. It would be highly disappointing if you poured all of your time, love and creativity into your gift if your recipient comes out in hives just unwrapping it!
6. Add brand labels / handmade labels
Where suitable add labels / logo’s or tags to your gifts with your brand name on or if this is not applicable then labels / buttons or tags which say something like ‘Handmade with Love’ or ‘made by…..’ It is really worth investing in these for your finished items as it really levels -up your work and makes it look more professional. There are numerous choices from buttons, leather, cork and metal tags and labels which can be personalised to suit your vibe. Check out Etsy.
7. Quality check your finished piece
It is really worth just inspecting your gift before you excitedly wrap it up and put it under the Christmas tree. Give it the once over for any rogue loose ends which may have been missed and if you have pets make sure it is pet hair / fur free too! If you have made a gift for a little person, just check everything is secure and fit for purpose.
8. Add care labels and wonderfully wrap
Now you can prepare for wrapping. It is a good idea to let your recipient know how to care for their hand-made gift, especially if it will be washed in the future. You could just include the yarn ball band with the washing instructions on or, you could add some pzazz with care labels which advise on how to look after the item. I recommend the latter which you can attach to the item with some pretty ribbon or string before you wrap. Check out my print at home care labels. Now you are almost there choose how you will present your gift. Will you box it or wrap it with pretty paper and a glorious big ribbon or maybe some brown paper and string and a sprig of holly??
9. Order yarn for your own project
With your Christmas gifts all made and wrapped, it’s time to dust yourself down and think about you. Choose something you would like to crochet for yourself, order your yarn and pop it in a project bag ready to pull out on Boxing Day and you can crochet happy between Christmas and New Year (we call this Twixmas here at the Nest). Alternatively, put the yarn on your Christmas List and let someone else splash the cash!
10. Enjoy Christmas
The great thing about crochet is that it is the perfect companion for a Christmas movie or 24, so whilst you are making your way through your handmade list, don’t forget to soak up Advent with the odd mince pie, some carols on the radio, your favourite Christmas movie and a Christmas hot chocolate or two.
So, there you have my best top 10 tips for stress-free Christmas crochet. Don’t forget if you would like my FREE fully editable 10 page Christmas crochet organiser sign up to my email list (offer valid until 30.11.2023)
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