HANDMADE GIFT IDEA #13

So I have to say, the moment I saw these baby hats, I knew I had to find an excuse to make them.  They are the kind of thing that gets most women gushing and using words like "adorable," "precious," and of course "CUTE!"  It gets even better though.  The author of this pattern (Lullaby Lamb) has a large selection of crochet and knit hat patterns that are - dare I say it - just as "adorable," "precious," and "CUTE!"  My favorites include the fruit orchard hats (of course), a pumpkin hat, a sailor hat, and a granny cloche hat.  Any of her hats would make an amazing gift for a baby shower, or a young child's birthday.  This pattern, called the "Fruit Orchard Rolled Brim Hat" is knit in the round, and was clear and easy to follow.

 Resources: YouCanMakeThis.com - Lullaby Lamb Patterns
Skills required: intermediate knitting
Approximate time to craft*: 2 hours (newborn size)
Approximate cost for supplies*: $5
*Please remember that these are just approximations. CopyCrafts makes no guarantee of their accuracy.

FISH CLOTHS

Who wouldn’t want to take a bath or wash a pile of dishes with these fun and “fishy” wash cloths? Their texture makes them perfect for scrubbing even the dirtiest of the dirty. And being made of 100% cotton they are gentle on the skin.

Resources: www.copycrafts.etsy.com
Skills required: easy knitting
Approximate time to craft*: 1-2 hours each
Approximate cost for supplies*: less than $2 each
*Please remember that these are just approximations. CopyCrafts makes no guarantee of their accuracy.

HANDMADE GIFT IDEA #6

Ask any mom who's ever used a hooded bath towel for their child, and they will tell you they are great! There is nothing better for keeping a kid warm after a bath. These "Fish Towels" are a great twist on the classic hooded towel. Why not make it a complete gift set with matching "Fish Cloths"? Both the towels and the wash cloths are fast and easy to make, and they are extra charming when given together!

Resources: Fish Towel pattern - www.copycrafts.etsy.com, Fish Cloth pattern - www.copycrafts.etsy.com
Skills required: towels - easy machine and hand sewing, wash cloths - easy knitting
Approximate time to craft*: towels - 1 hour each, wash cloths - 2 hours each
Approximate cost for supplies*: towels - $10 each, wash cloths - $1 each*Please remember that these are just approximations. CopyCrafts makes no guarantee of their accuracy.

HANDMADE GIFT IDEA #4

A beautiful handmade scarf is a great gift for winter birthdays and Christmas. First, find some nice soft yarn like the merino wool pictured here. Then pick a pattern that suits the recipient. The pattern for the scarf pictured came from Rodale's Visual Encyclopedia of Needlecrafts. There are also tons of free scarf patterns on the internet that range in style from funky, to classic, to romantic, to fun. With a little bit of thought, you'll be sure to make something that will warm their heart for years to come.

Resources: Rodale's Visual Encyclopedia of Needlecrafts
Skills required: easy-advanced knitting, or easy-advanced crochet
Approximate time to craft*: 10 hours
Approximate cost for supplies*: $7*Please remember that these are just approximations. CopyCrafts makes no guarantee of their accuracy.

HANDMADE GIFT IDEA #3

These dish cloths are possibly the easiest and most versatile handmade gift we've seen. Their chunky texture and 100% cotton yarn make them great for many uses. Dish cloth, wash cloth, hot pad - they can do it all. Give them as wash cloths with soap or lotion for a pampering gift set. Or give a set of dish cloths with a copy of your favorite recipes for a new bride.

You can also include this little poem on the card or gift tag:
I’m a little dish cloth
To help you with your chores.
I scrub pots and pans and glass and plates
And ever so much more.
There really is no ending
To all the things that I can do,
And that’s why I was made with care
Especially for YOU!(This poem copyrighted by CopyCrafts - it may not be used for commercial purposes of any kind without express written permission.)

We've included links to our to our favorite patterns for beginners, but there are tons of variations to be found online if you want to get a little more creative.

Resources: knit pattern, crochet pattern
Skills required: easy knitting, or easy crochet
Approximate time to craft*: 2 hours each
Approximate cost for supplies*: $.50 each*Please remember that these are just approximations. CopyCrafts makes no guarantee of their accuracy.