Crochet Baby - Crocheting a Baby Gift

Crochet Baby Ideas - Crocheting a Baby Gift

The birth of a baby is a joyous occasion, one that is usually commemorated with lots of gifts. The new mom or mom-to-be often finds herself with a deluge of baby clothes, diaper bags and bath supplies. These are all useful gifts, but for crafters, a more unique approach is often desired.

One of the most popular ways to make baby gifts is by crocheting. With a crochet hook and some yarn, you can create all sorts of beautiful and utilitarian baby gifts. Here are a few items to consider.

* Baby blanket

When someone mentions crocheting, the first thing that many non-crocheters think of is a baby blanket. There's no doubt that this is one of the most popular crocheted baby gifts, and with good reason. It's something that new parents always need, it's easily matched to any nursery décor, and it can be passed down from generation to generation.

* Socks and booties

If you're on a budget but want to create a useful baby gift, try crocheting some tiny socks or booties. These take very little yarn, so you may be able to make them with leftovers from other projects. If you use a thick yarn, they are perfect for keeping the little one's feet warm during the winter.

* Clothing

Baby clothes of all types are adorable, but crocheted items are especially nice. Baby girls look adorable in crocheted dresses. Sweaters are great for boys and girls in the winter. And crocheted hats are perfect for keeping newborns' heads warm. If you have the time, you could even create an entire matching layette set.

* Toys

Most of the time when we think of crocheted items, we picture either items we can wear or home décor. But crocheted toys make wonderful and unique baby gifts. They're nice and soft, and as long as we don't add any beads or other embellishments, they're very safe for infants. Making them in bright colors and putting a rattle securely inside will stimulate baby's mind.

* Gift baskets

A gift basket is nice for any occasion, but a crocheted basket is ideal for a baby gift. A nice, soft basket is great for holding an assortment of baby things such as bottles, bibs and bath items. And it can double as a handy caddy for mom to carry around frequently used supplies.

Crocheted baby gifts are attractive and functional, and the sentiment behind them adds to their beauty. You don't have to be a master crocheter to create them, either. Many items can be made using only the simple single stitch. So the next time a friend or family member announces that she's expecting a bundle of joy, get out your hook and yarn and create a gift that's sure to be adored.

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Easy Fun Crafts - Chenille Stem Butterfly Mobile

Easy Fun Crafts - Chenille Stem Butterfly Mobile

Spring is full of beautiful things. It is an ideal time for easy fun crafts, especially to do with the kids. The birds and rabbits come out to play, and the flowers begin to bloom. And the colorful butterflies are a favorite of adults and children alike.

Butterflies are a favorite motif for spring craft projects. This chenille stem butterfly mobile makes a great project for children, and it gives them a beautiful spring decoration to hang up in their rooms. Here's how to make it:

Materials for this easy fun crafts:

* Black chenille stems

* Bumpy chenille stems in various bright colors

* Pom poms in various colors

* Wire cutters

* Needle-nose pliers

* Scissors

* Glue

* Paper plate

* Paint or markers

* Hole punch

* Fishing line

Instructions for this easy fun craft

1. Cut a black chenille stem in half. Set aside.

2. Bend a bumpy chenille stem in half, creasing at the base to create a V-shape.

3. Bend one end of the stem down toward the base, creating a sort of half circle. Bend the tip around the V.

4. Repeat step three with the other side of the chenille stem.

5. Use the needle-nose pliers to tuck away the sharp ends.

6. Push the middle of each half circle in toward the middle, making a hard crease. It should be shaped like a capital B on the right and a backward capital B on the left. You've now formed the wings of the butterfly.

7. Fold the black chenille stem you cut earlier in half. Twist the bend end about half an inch from the bend.

8. Slide the butterfly wings between the ends of the black chenille stem. Twist the ends above the butterfly to hold in place.

9. Separate the ends of the black chenille stem. Bend them to create antennae for the butterfly.

10. Put coordinating pom poms in the openings of the wings and glue them in place. Let dry.

11. Make as many more butterflies as you would like for your mobile.

12. Decorate the paper plate with paint or markers. You might want to paint a sky scene on it, draw a flower garden or do an abstract pattern in colors that match the butterflies.

13. Punch a hole where you want each butterfly to hang. Then punch four evenly spaced holes around the sides of the paper plate.

14. Cut four pieces of fishing line of the same length. For each piece, thread one of the ends through one of the holes around the edges, and tie. Tie the other ends together to create a hanger for the mobile.

15. Cut fishing line in various lengths to hang your butterflies. Tie one end to the middle of the butterfly, and run the other through a hole in the plate. Secure with clear tape or glue.

16. Hang your mobile from the ceiling and enjoy your easy fun craft!

I'm convinced the kids will love it. Do easy fun crafts with the kids and spend real quality time with them. Kids love creating things and they even love things that can be used more.

Have a look at Fun Kids Crafts for hour of crafting fun with the kids!

Crocheting Instructions - Crocheting Basics

Crocheting Instructions - Crocheting Basics

Are you in need of some crocheting instructions? Crocheting is a craft that can be used to create a wide variety of items, from potholders to afghans. Yet to the uninitiated, a crochet pattern can be extremely difficult to understand with all its strange terminology and abbreviations. Crocheting is one of those crafts that is best learned by doing it or seeing it done.

But if you don't know anyone who crochets, all is not lost. You can learn all of the basics online, complete with photos and even videos. And once you get the hang of the basic techniques, you'll be doing large projects in no time. You can have a look at a variety of books with crocheting instructions.

What You Need to Get Started

Crocheting does not require a lot of fancy equipment, because it is done by hand. All you really need to get started is a crochet hook, some yarn, and a simple pattern. But for the beginner, even that can be confusing.

It's very important to choose the right size of yarn and hook. For both items, the higher the number of the size, the thinner they are. Your pattern should include specifications for yarn and hook size. If it doesn't, you can find charts online that will tell you which size needle to use with each thread size.

You can find lots of free beginner crochet patterns online by doing a Google search. Some are accompanied by charts, photos or video tutorials, eliminating most of the guesswork.

Crocheting Instructions - Basic Techniques

The first two things you'll need to learn in crocheting are how to make a starting chain and how to do a single crochet stitch. These techniques should be sufficient to complete your first simple patterns. There are many more complex stitches, but you can learn them once you've mastered these basics.

Making a starting chain is a simple concept. You start out by making a slipknot. Then you bring the yarn over the hook (this is referred to in patterns as yarn over), pull it through the loop, and tighten. Continue pulling yarn through the subsequent loops until you have a chain of the desired size.

The single crochet stitch is started on the second loop of the starting chain. Insert the hook under the loop, yarn over, and pull the yarn through the stitch. This is often referred to in patterns as drawing up a loop. Yarn over again, and pull through the two loops that are on the hook. This completes your single stitch.

Once you've completed a row of single stitches, turn the piece over so that you're starting on the right-hand side again. After this first row, you no longer need to skip a loop unless the pattern calls for it.

You'll have to get a feel for how tight to do your stitches but other than that, learning these basic crochet techniques is easy. With a little practice, you'll be ready to move on to more complex stitches and patterns in no time.

With a book with good crocheting instructions, you will have not problem mastering it.

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