Here we go again! It’s time to start planning our handmade Christmas gifts! With six months to go, we can surely get it done without working up to the last minute, right? Well, we can at least try.
For our first project of 2018, I thought I’d pull out the trusty crochet hook and some kitchen cotton. When my friend Pam posted some bowl cozies on Instagram a few weeks ago, I knew they’d make great gifts. These can be used to protect your hands and lap from bowls of hot soup or cold ice cream. My 10-year-old son, Grady, has already tested and approved their use for ice cream! Thanks, buddy!
With a price tag of a couple of dollars per ball of yarn, you can afford to make several per recipient. One cozy used just a hair over two ounces of Peaches & Cream. Keep in mind that solid colorways come in bigger balls than the variegated (2.5 oz. vs. 2.0 oz., generally). And while vibrant colors are fun, they tend to bleed when washed, so that’s something to be mindful of, especially when giving them away.
There are several patterns available for basically the same thing. (Most of them are crocheted, but a couple are knit and then felted.) I chose this pattern by Amy B Stitched. It’s kindly available for free on her blog.
The cozy begins with two hexagons, with increases made as you would for most amigurumi (crocheted toys). The two hexagons are then worked together to form a sturdy and protective base. From there, the sides are flared with only 4 sets of increases per round to make it square. Even if you’re new to crochet, I think this project is totally doable.
Crocheted hexagonal dishcloths are already one of my go-to projects when I’m between big projects, so these cozies are only a step or two up from them.
I have lots of great handmade gift ideas lined up this year, but if you have a killer one I should try, I’d love to hear it. Check back on the 25th of every month through November for a new installment of Bronwyn’s Handmade Christmas.
And don’t forget to join my email list! I have some new knitting and crochet patterns coming out this summer, so you won’t want to miss out!
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