Nothing says Christmas Spirit like: ugly Christmas sweaters, garish decorations crammed from one corner of the house to the other, double-fisted cookie chomping, and … Christmas crochet!
A couple of years ago, I crocheted a very festive Santa hat (being worn today by Teddy).
Last year, I crocheted a row of little Christmas elves for my fireplace mantel.
Of course, this year, Otis was the unwilling target of my crochet hook, with a lovely crocheted Christmas tree hat (see post below). And for myself, I crocheted a cute Candy Cane Clutch for my tablet—t’was quick and easy to make. You’ll find the pattern below, in case you’d like to whip one up for yourself.
Candy Cane Clutch
Materials: worsted weight yarn, one ball in red, one ball in white;
5 mm crochet hook.
Starting with red, chain (ch) 41 (39 + 2).
Row 1: Work 2 single crochet (sc) in second ch from hook; *sc in each of next 5 spaces (sps); skip (sk) 2 sps; sc in next 5 sps; sc in next 3 sps; repeat from * across to last sp; 2 sc in last sp; turn.
Row 2: Ch 1; 2 sc in first sc; *sc in each of next 5 sc; sk 2 sc;
sc in each of next 5 sc; sc in each of next 3 sc;
repeat from * across to last sc; 2 sc in last sc; turn.
Repeat Row 2 once more, then fasten off and switch to white.
Continue pattern by repeating Row 2, switching colours after every 3 rows with red, after every 2 rows with white. Crochet to desired length (I made mine long enough to fit my tablet.)
Crochet a border of red sc around the entire piece to finish the edges, then fold piece and whipstitch either side to seam, leaving enough of the top to fold over for closing. (See photos.)
Crochet a little loop on each of the three closing points, then sew jingle bells instead of buttons for the loops to fasten ove
r.
Voila! This season, you’ll go everywhere with bells on! 🙂
Create-a-holic Writer 
greg-in-washington said,
January 6, 2016 at 7:50 pm
I am trying to catch up with everyone today–so, are you still jingling all the way?
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Create-A-Holic Writer said,
January 6, 2016 at 8:18 pm
I haven’t been jingling all the way since I did this last post. My dad passed away over Christmas and it’s been a bit of a nightmare. Today is the first day that I’m back to work and on the computer, so I’m hoping to post something before the end of the week!
PS-Loved your last post!
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greg-in-washington said,
January 6, 2016 at 9:14 pm
I am sorry–that is terrible news. My sympathies.
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aranislandgirl said,
December 18, 2015 at 8:41 pm
All very cool! I think the cat is giving the evil eye though 😉
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amariesilver said,
December 16, 2015 at 2:12 am
Very cool!
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Erica Herd said,
December 15, 2015 at 7:51 pm
I especially like the Christmas elves. I don’t know how to knit or crochet, but would like to learn.
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Create-A-Holic Writer said,
December 16, 2015 at 2:25 pm
I’ve tried different crafts, but I’ve been hooked on crochet for the past 5 or so years because it’s so addicting. If you know someone who crochets, ask them to show you the basic beginner stitches. After having a neighbor show me how to start by chaining and doing a simple square with single crochet, I taught myself the rest from there, using library books and the internet. There are tons of YouTube and blog tutorials out there that show you how. Your local craft store probably offers beginner classes, as well. I highly recommend learning. It’s the most relaxing hobby, the patterns/projects to do are endless, and it’s really portable, so you can take it anywhere. Try it!
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Erica Herd said,
December 16, 2015 at 4:25 pm
Thank you for the tips.A friend at work knows how to knit and used to do a lunchtime knitting circle for a bunch of secretaries. She has offered to teach me when I’m ready.
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Create-A-Holic Writer said,
December 16, 2015 at 8:31 pm
That’s a great way to learn. Just my opinion–I tried to knit but didn’t enjoy it as much as crochet. I find crochet to be easier, but then again, I’m a very impatient person and found I got faster results with one hook vs two needles! 🙂
Good luck!
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Erica Herd said,
December 17, 2015 at 5:27 pm
Thanks.
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