Simple Holiday Gifts to Knit or Crochet

If you don't have much time for making holiday gifts, there are many simple crochet and knitting projects you can do. In fact you don't even need to search for a pattern but can make your own design. Just be sure you know the colors of your recipient's kitchen, bathroom or wardrobe before staring a project so you can choose the right color of yarn.

Crocheting Simple Washcloths

Besides serving as holiday gifts, washcloths make ideal presents for any time of year. In fact, they're so easy, you can make several of them. For a simple washcloth crochet in the single crochet stitch. A typical washcloth is about a ten-inch square. For a unique washcloth, experienced crochers and knitters can crochet in unusual stitches or stitch geometric patterns such as eight-sided octagons.
Hot Pads, Potholders or Coasters to Knit or Crochet

The possibilities are almost endless on the types of crochet or knitting stitches you can do to make a simple hot pad or potholder. It's best to use rug yarn or cotton thread for ensuring thick heat-proof protection from hot foods. The Tunisian crochet stitch is one of the best stitches as it renders a strong and sturdy material for hot pads or potholders.

If crocheting in single crochet stitches you can cross stitch a simple design on your hot pad or potholder. This can also be done with knitting in the stockinette stitch, although this stitch produces more of a rectangle than a square. There are scores of free patterns online for simple cross stitch patterns or if you have photo-to-stitch software it's easy to make your own pattern. To make it simple, you could simply cross stitch your recipient's name or initials.

Hot pads can also be round and knitted on circular knitting needles. Or, if crocheted, they can be stitched in the round. Why not be even more creative by using yellow or tangerine-colored yarns for depicting a lemon or orange slice with green trim. Coasters, which are easy to crochet and knit, are done by crocheting in the round or by knitting on circular needles. They're usually about five inches in diameter.

Simple Scarves to Crochet or Knit

Crocheted scarves - There's no project that's easier than crocheting a scarf. Even if the only stitch you know is a simple crochet stitch you can easily make a beautiful scarf. For a more interesting scarf, use several colors of yarn. For example single crochet in one color for five rows and then change colors. This is an excellent way to use up leftover yarn. Soft yarns work well for crocheting or knitting scarves.

Knitted scarves - Knitters can either use a simple garter stitch which produces identical sides. On the other hand, scarves knitted in the stockinette stitch consist of knitting one row and then purling the next one. This produces a scarf that's smooth on one side (knit side) while the other side has purl stitches which are bumpy. Ribbed scarves are also easy to knit and involve knitted stitches and purl stitches done consecutively on the same row.

Simple Purses to Knit and Crochet

Sometimes knitters or crocheters start out making a scarf or prayer scrawl but run out of patience or time for finishing the project. By folding a piece of knitting or crocheting together you can make a handbag or purse. All that's left to do is sewing up the sides with yarn and adding a shoulder strap.

Finally, determine to enjoy the time you spend making your projects. In the rush of holiday madness yarn crafts such as crocheting and knitting provide a needed outlet for relaxing, while pondering the spiritual meaning of the holiday season.

Originally published on Suite 101.