Quick gifts you can crochet this weekend.

Ivy says:

Short on time and money? If you can crochet and have a few bucks for yarn, you can quickly and inexpensively crochet something. Most people really appreciate the handmade, and they never have to know the secret that these items are done very quickly. Let people imagine that you slaved away for weeks on these things.

First let me say I’m on the slow side of average when it comes to crocheting speed. So all times are based on my own crocheting speed. If you’re a fast crocheter, you may be able to finish more quickly. If you’re a slow crocheter, it may take you more time.

Got 4-6 hours?

How about a zombie Elvis for the Zombie and Elvis fans on your shopping list?

Zombie Elvis comes with his own brains for his dining pleasure, and dripping blood from his head and mouth. His hair is embroidered on. Orignally I made him a hair cap, but it looked too nice. I wanted his hair to be ratty and spotty, just like a “real” zombie’s. The picture doesn’t show it very well, but he’s wearing a cape. Zombie Elvis lost his shirt somewhere along the way.

Braaaaaains. This project is very heavy on embroidering. If you’re a slow embroiderer, this project may take longer.

Is Zombie Elvis too gruesome? I bought an adorable pattern from Etsy seller Owlishly last night. Her pattern is very easy to follow and although I have not started on the pattern I bought last night, I estimate it would take about 4-6 hours to make.  Her patterns are A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E.

Got 2 hours?

If your friends and family’s tastes run less to the macabre and more toward the cute, this tiny bear/mouse/whatever you want to call it is your project.

Or, for the jokester on your list, buy this pattern for “Nut Sacks”. (Link is safe for work. It’s a little crocheted bag with acorns in it- super cute!) No pictures of this because I am still working on making my own. Pictures will come later.

If your friends and/or relatives are too mature for “nut sacks” or Zombie Elvis or a mouse/bear thingie, how about a scarf?

Use a chunky yarn and a large hook, like a K hook and can crochet a simple scarf very quickly. I like to make a chain as long as I’d like the scarf to be, then double crochet in the back loop only for a ribbed look.

Only have an hour?

Make these fabulous fortune cookies. Simply make a flat circle (I will post a pattern for a flat circle if anyone needs one) in single crochet and then use this video to fold the circle into a fortune cookie. Embroider nearly closed and then make the “fortune”- Chain 13, DC in 3rd chain from the hook, DC in each chain across, finish off.

I can make about 4 of these in an hour. Buy a chinese food box from a craft store and put the fortune cookies in there. Easy peasy!

Or how about a hat? Hats usually crochet up really quickly. Here’s a great big selection of free patterns.

A note about patterns: I have not included patterns  for the items I have pictured. They are, except the fortune cookies, original patterns I have come up with myself. As I have never written patterns before for public use, I would like them tested before I put them up on Home-Ec 101. If you would like a pattern for either Zombie Elvis or the Tiny Mouse/Bear, please email me at badbadivy at gmail dot com and I will send you my pattern. Please, if I email you my pattern, once you’re finished with the item, please let me know if my pattern worked out accurately and if it was easy to follow, and any helpful criticism you might have. Once I’ve had the patterns tested, I will put them up in separate posts and will link them to this post.