Once you learn how to crochet, chances are you’re going to look for every opportunity to make crochet Christmas gifts for the people dear to you. Whether you have decided to make Grandma a beautiful crochet afghan or every cousin a crochet scarf, you’re going to need to think about how much time each project takes because the holiday gift season sneaks up on us in a hurry.

While I can’t give you a definitive timeline on how much time to allot for each project, I can help you determine a schedule so you’ll hopefully be able to finish all of your crochet holiday gift ideas.

The Crochet Christmas Gifts Idea Checklist

• In a notebook, begin by listing each person you’d like to make a gift for.
• List all calendar obligations you have between now and gift-giving season, include any prep time needed for these events (shopping, travel, etc)
• Next to each name list what you’d like to make for them, the color you’d like to use, and when the gift is to be delivered (Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, etc).
• Once you’ve decided who will get what, you need to find the perfect pattern and yarn.
  • If you are crunched for time, pick something simple with the easiest finishing techniques.
• Begin a new list with the biggest (or most complicated) pattern first. Add items to the list according to when they need to be given.
  • Working on the most complicated pattern first will give you plenty of time to get it done and more time to concentrate. Saving the easier/smaller projects for later will be easier on the schedule.
• Keep a small project with you in the car or in your purse. You never know when you’ll have a bit of extra time to whip out a row or two.
• When scheduling your projects, don’t forget to include time to wash and block the piece if needed. Drying always seems to take the longest when you have the least amount of time.
• Consider making the same thing for everyone, but personalizing it with favorite colors or initials.
  • If you make everyone the same thing, you’ll fall into an automatic process with the pattern and you’ll get them all done quickly.

If the holiday season has completely snuck up on you, and you still want to try to make some crochet Christmas gifts, try this pattern. Not only is this pattern quick and easy, you can work it up with all the leftover small balls of yarn you might have around the craft room. And, the recipient is going to want another because little baskets are super useful!

Simply Sweet Stash Basket

Pattern by Yarnspirations

Skill Level: Beginner

Size: Approx 5″ x 10″ x 6″ [12.5 x 25.5 x 15 cm], with top unfolded

Gauge: 11 sc and 12 rows = 4″ [10 cm]

Materials

Yarn: Bernat Softee Chunky (100% acrylic; 108 yards [99 meters]/100 grams): #28532 Wine (2 balls)
Hook: US size I/9 (5.5 mm) hook or size needed to obtain gauge

Pattern

Sides (Make in One Piece)

Ch 18.
Row 1 (RS): 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. 1 sc in each ch to end of chain. Turn. (17 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc to end of row. Turn.
Rep last row until work from beg measures 5″ [12.5 cm], ending on a WS row.
**Next row: (RS). (Fold line). Ch 1. Working through back loops only, 1 sc in each sc to end of row. Turn.
Next row: Ch 1. Working through both loops, 1 sc in each sc to end of row. Turn.
Rep last row until work from last fold line measures 10″ [25.5 cm], ending on a WS row.**
Next row (RS): (Fold line). Ch 1. Working through back loops only, 1 sc in each sc to end of row. Turn.
Next row: Ch 1. Working through both loops, 1 sc in each sc to end of row. Turn.
Rep last row until work from last fold line measures 5″ [12.5 cm], ending on a WS row.
Rep from ** to ** once more.
Next row (RS): (Joining row). Place foundation ch behind last row with WS of work tog. Ch 1. Working through both thicknesses, 1 sc in each sc to end of row.
Fasten off.

Base

Ch 28.
Row 1 (RS): 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. 1 sc in each ch to end of chain. Turn. (27 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc to end of row.
Turn.
Rep last row until work from beg measures 5″ [12.5 cm], ending on a WS row. Do not fasten off.
Join Base to Sides: Place lower edge of Sides behind Base with WS of work tog, aligning corners of Base with fold lines and joining row of Sides.
Next rnd (RS): Ch 1. Working through both thicknesses, work 1 rnd of sc around all 4 sides of Base. Join with sl st to first sc.
Fasten off.

Finishing

Fold top edge of Basket to RS as shown in picture.