the twisted yarn

Knitting, crochet, running, and silliness.

More Crocheted Christmas Decorations

by 31 Comments

OK, here’s one for those of us who are – ahem – not yet quite fully sorted on the Christmas festivity front, despite the fact that guests are starting to arrive tomorrow and the house is a squalid tip. Also for those at the other end of the spectrum who are so blisteringly well-organised that you’re already getting busy with coordinating the table ornaments for Christmas 2017. If you’re a member of the latter group, please understand that I’m ever so slightly scared of you, so if I don’t quite make eye contact, it’s nothing personal, OK?

By the way, I do like your Christmas tree – so pretty! And those ornaments you’ve put up are delightful. But how about a few more room decorations? We could crochet some ‘paper’ chains and hang them across the windows – what do you think?

The method for crocheted paper chains is just as for the knitted paper chains I showed you recently, and it’s so simple that the most nervous beginner can make them without even breaking a sweat. Since Christmas is nearly upon us, I would encourage you to make these in reasonably sizeable yarn for speed: I used Vanna’s Choice in a variety of shades. (Yes, 2017-planners, you may indeed work an intricate fairisle design in 2-ply, just to show the rest of us up.) But assuming you’re using aran/worsted-weight with a 5mm hook, here’s the deal:-

***US crochet terms used throughout.***

1. Loosely chain 27.

2. Turn. Chain 1. Skip that chain and then sc into every chain. (27s)

3. Repeat row 2 until your work is 4cm wide. Cut your yarn and pull through.

Make a few more in different colours. Once you’ve accumulated a pile of crocheted strips, give yourself a friendly pat on the back and start joining them together to form a chain. ‘Tis up to you, my fine fearless friends, how you join the edges: you can slip stitch if you want to keep your crochet hook busy, or you can whip out a tapestry needle and sew the blighters.

xmas 1a

And that’s it. Yup, it really is that simple. Of course, you can decorate your chain with all manner of beads and sequins and glitter and fancy gubbins, but the basic chain is the simplest crochet imaginable. Enjoy.

Now, what’s next?

Oh yes. Little crochet wreaths.

xmas 6a

The knitted version is at the end of this post. So to crochet your wreath, grab some lovely rich DK/light-worsted-weight, preferably in a variegated green such as Fyberspates Vivacious Deep Forest.

***US crochet terms used.***

1. Chain 5.

2. Turn. Chain 1.

3. Skip one ch, then sc into 5ch. (5s)

4. Without turning, sc into the first stitch to join into a round. Continue to sc into each sc, working a 5-stich-round spiral upwards until you achieve the desired length (sufficient to make a 5cm-diameter wreath). Pull through and cut the yarn, leaving a 10cm tail.

5. Take a piece of wire, slightly longer than twice the length of your crochet. Fold in half, and pinch the fold tightly with pliers. Insert up through the centre of your crochet.

image

Bend the crochet-covered wire round to form a circle. Join the two ends of wire and conceal inside the crochet. Use one trailing end of yarn to sew the crochet together.

xmas 2a

Now to ornament your wreath. 🙂 Use whatever materials you wish, but I recommend twisting a narrow metallic red pipe-cleaner or two around the wreath like this:-

xmas 3a

…then sewing a little bow on to finish. And you’re done! Ta-da!

xmas 5a

If I don’t get a chance to say it on the day, MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Comments

  1. Hi Phil – the crochet decorations are wonderful. Using wire is such a clever idea for the wreath. Happy Christmas!

    Reply

  3. No wonder you are not ready for your guests, you have been making soooo many decorations both knitted and now crocheted. sit back, have a cocktail or two at the ready and they won’t even notice you are not ready. Have a great Christmas yourself x

    Reply

  4. The day I’m ready for Christmas before Christmas will be a day of days indeed. I dare say Oprah herself will show up at my door to record the day in the history books it will be such a momentous occasion. Probably they will throw a city wide parade in my honor to boot. People who are utterly organized before Christmas make me all cross eyed and dizzy. I’m quite certain they are sniffing poisonous mushrooms and risking their own mortality one Christmas present at a time. I think you definitely have a much better idea with Christmas knitting. Less stress, more fun, and lots of pretty stuff to show for it that you get to keep. Total win/win! You can never go wrong with knitting. Or in this case crochet.

    Reply

  5. As one of those whom you can fearlessly eyeball to your heart’s content Twisted I wish to advice that, cute as all get-out as they are – Siddy would have that one and a half hours effort stuck down his doggy throat before I had finished twisting the last sparkly red pipe cleaner in place! Luckily for him I’m not doing decorations – or anything really – this Christmas. Though I tell a tiny fib – my sterling effort can be seen in the last photo of today’s post 🙂 [Teaser] Merry Christmas to all the Twisteds – Ma and Pa and Seniors and Twinnage. xoxo

    Reply

  8. I’m still reading along, thinking how clever and manageable your ideas are . . . but managing to try none of them! I hope you’ll post a photo of the big picture at some point, so we can see how it all adds up!

    Reply

    • Hmm, big picture might be tricky as they’re scattered (amongst the Lego and general toddler chaos) throughout the house. Will have a think about this…
      Meanwhile, MERRY CHRISTMAS!! May some exceptionally beautiful and history-laden vintage fabrics come your way.

      Reply

  10. Not quite to the organisational dynamo stage but definitely organised enough to have everything sorted except the homemade mascarpone cheese that I am going to attempt today. Are you afraid from me? ;). The knitted crochet paper chains were gorgeous but now that you have actually allowed me to create my own crochet version I am on it like a tick on a dog! I have 17 hours and 21 minutes until Christmas Day hits me like a tonne of bricks so how many chains do you think I can make in that time? Depending on how much time I have to spend laying on the kitchen floor, hand to brow giving an Oscar winning performance of “NO-BODY UNDERSTANDS ME!” when my 1.2 litres of cream refuse to play ball and turn into mascarpone cheese, I can probably hook most of the day (if I hide in the spare room and “forget” to answer when anyone calls for me ) so surely I can make at least 1…is 1 segment of a crochet paper chain a “chain”?! If a tree falls in the forest and no-one is there to hear it…er, I haven’t got time for philosophy Phil, (pun fully intended ) I have to get hooking!

    Reply

  11. Oh my, you never cease to amaze with your creations – the knitted wreaths are just beautiful! I have really enjoyed reading your posts this year, you are one talented lady and I can’t wait to see what wonderful creations you come up with in 2015. With a glass of prosecco in hand I too *chink* you and wish you a wonderful Christmas and a very happy new year! x

    Reply

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