OK, so as I write this I'm munching away on Easter chocolate, and Christmas is so last year already, but I've been wanting to tell you about one of my family's Christmas traditions. Every year, I make each of the kids a handmade gift. I didn't even know that they'd noticed, or cared particularly until two Christmases ago when I said to Miss Missy that I didn't think I'd be able to make her anything because I was running out of time.
But Mum, you ALWAYS make me something for Christmas! It just wouldn't be right if you didn't!
Wow, OK kid! I just couldn't say no after that, could I? So at the last minute (and I mean seriously - I was stitching at like 5 minutes to midnight Christmas Eve) I whipped up a patchwork and applique cushion for her bed.
This Christmas (or is that last Christmas already now?) my problem wasn't time, it was coming up with what to make. Miss Missy is a newly minted teenager - the smocked dresses, applique T-shirts, or cutesy hair accessories of years past just weren't going to cut it. What to make was on the back of my mind for months, when I found the perfect thing: a crocheted amigurumi unicorn.
Now I had a new problem: I don't crochet.
I don't mean that I CAN'T crochet. I can; I learnt how years ago when I was in school (Steiner education, you know). I just never got good at it. My first attempt was supposed to be a hat for myself. But I gave up in disgust when the other kids in my class were wearing their beanies already, and all I had was a misshapen things that looked like a floppy sunhat - not for my head though, all it would fit was my Sindy doll (if you don't remember Sindy, she's about Barbie's size!). It suited Sindy but I wouldn't call the hat a success!
A few years - and many successful non-crochet craft projects later - I tried again. This time, I decided to make some snowflake Christmas tree decorations. They looked so pretty in the pattern book I thought it was worth giving crochet another try. Well. I stuck at it, and made three snowflakes for myself, as well as a few for friends. But sticking with it didn't make it any easier. I was constantly making mistakes and having to undo everything. I had to concentrate so darn hard I couldn't enjoy it.
No. I decided I liked crochet about as much as going to the dentist.
But, for Miss Missy, I put all that aside, and set to with her gift. Turns out, I still don't like to crochet, but I really do like amigurumi! They are so cute, it makes the frustration worth it! In fact, I decided to make another amigurumi as a gift for a friend. And when I saw a copy of Boho Crochet I decided that the Christmas tree really could use some more crochet decorations too. Maybe crochet isn't quite as bad as the dentist...(though I don't love it enough to crochet myself a trophy head for the living room wall).
After beating crochet into submission, I've felt drawn to books on crafts I've never tried. I'm sure I'm not the only one out there who's keen to learn new crafts, so I've put together a list of some craft and hobby books that struck my fancy. Some I'm an old hand at, some I've never tried, but all gorgeous!
Related Resources
- Check out the Crafts and collecting page on our website
- Search CINCH for classes in your area
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