#Craftblogclub Secret Santa 2014

As I did last year, I took part in the Secret Santa for the #craftblogclub community. Last year I knitted a rice stitch neckwarmer, and received a beautiful beaded Christmas tree ornament. This year, I was tasked with making something for the very lovely Amanda, AKA @giftfrippery, who does marvellous gift wrapping, and I made her this pair of handwarmers from Sirdar Escape DK.

I’m quite pleased with how they turned out, as they’re from one of my favourite patterns, and I’ve heard from Amanda that she’s pleased with them too! The yarn was also a pleasure to work with, and it’s nice to see the gentle colour gradations, although I had to start the second handwarmer from a second ball to make sure both wrist cuffs were purple! The yarn is 51% wool, 49% acrylic, and may be machine washed up to 40°. You can find the pattern here. The only difference is I do 1×1 twisted rib instead of 2×2 normal rib on the cuffs.

In return, I received this little beauty from Carrie of LoveTwoCraft! A lovely crochet mugwarmer with coasters (and mug) as well as sweets. It’s a wonderful gift and at least now my coffee might stay warmer for longer – thank you! 🙂

But I didn’t just make presents for the secret Santa, I also made them for a few people I know! I crocheted this hat for my good friend Scott in the US. It’s made from Stylecraft Weekender yarn, which I’ve grown to love working with as it’s so smooth, despite the fact that it’s 100% acrylic. Here’s the lovely boy modelling his hat.

So pleased he liked it! (And yes, I forgot to take a photo of it before I sent it. I also made this pair of handwarmers for the wonderful illustrator Helen Turner, the illustrator behind Rosie & Radish. They’re made from Rowan Silk Twist, which is lovely and warm, and easy to work with.

Next up is this adjustable headwarmer for Emma, made from Women’s Institute Soft & Chunky yarn, which was a delight to work with. I discovered this yarn quite by chance but I’ll definitely try to use it again. I didn’t have a pattern so I just made one up. There’s actually a longer tab and another button inside.

I also made Emma a ring to match the bracelet I made for her birthday, using silver plated copper wire and chips of magnesite.

I was really pleased with how the ring turned out, but they’re incredibly fiddly to make! I continued with the jewellery theme for my boss, and I made her a bracelet from purple freshwater pearls.

Lastly was this pair of crochet handwarmers for the man of our office, made from Sirdar Supersoft Aran.

I think the theme for many of the presents was ‘make it up as you go along’, as I invented a few patterns along the way. I even redid the headwrap pattern again for myself, using Stylecraft Weekender, albeit in a pale blue/grey. I’ve been really happy with how all of the presents turned out, and I just hope everyone liked them! I struggled to feel festive this year, but putting time and effort into making presents instead of just buying them has certainly helped make each present feel more personal, and more worth the giving.