Brittany Kelley
I have been crocheting for roughly four years. It all started when I randomly asked my parents for materials as a Christmas gift and, lo and behold, it was under the tree — an entire kit consisting of yarn in every color of the rainbow, hooks, darning needles and stitch markers.
After watching crocheting videos on TikTok and YouTube for months, I felt like I was practically a professional already. My first project was an envelope book sleeve (hello, big reader here), which I started and finished on Christmas Day. Needless to say: I was determined. It takes me at least three business days to finish even small pieces these days. Despite my tenacity, my book sleeve was — in the nicest way possible — not good.
That’s not to say that the stitches were incorrect; it’s just that my tension was changing throughout and I definitely miscounted and probably turned my project incorrectly. The poor thing was lopsided and somehow looked like a diagonal envelope, instead of a traditional one. I will say, however, that my heart that fastened it closed was pretty nice.
Even now, I still have it as a momento on my book shelf, but also as a way to see how far I have come.
Even though it’s been so long, I’ll be honest; I’m not someone who crochets often, but when I get an itch for it, I tend to go all in. (Just ask my boss, who graciously never questions why there’s a giant half-worked wizard frog on my desk on a random Wednesday.)
So, in my often two to three time a year spurts, I’ve crocheted a purse, a dinosaur, a whale car dangler, a hanging plant, the previously mentioned wizard frog, a Miles Morales hat, started on another purse and I’m sure many other things I’m forgetting. But the most rewarding — and probably my favorite — part has been embracing homemade gifts.
When I was younger, homemade cards were my thing, but, now, as I get older and struggle with coming up with gift ideas, I’m learning that I still love taking the time to create for my loved ones.
In a lot of ways, crocheting can be customizable to someone. You could take their favorite color into consideration, an interest, a favorite animal, food, home decor style and more.
The first crocheted gift I made was a doily for my mom. I had to frog (undo) it so many times, but I persevered and she still has it on her shelf all these years later. I’ve also made her a giant doily for her coffee table and, most recently, a chicken with a baby chick and eggs.
Also a recipient was my dad. This was still into my early era of crochet, so what were supposed to be socks ended up turning into giant slippers, since I was unaware that yarn size affected the scale of the project.
That being said, it’s easy gifting to my parents because, duh, they’re probably going to love it. So, when I branched out this past year and gifted my friends, it was really nerve wracking.
I was actually inspired by my friend, Emma, who made me a little knit tapestry for my office and Ale, who made me a trinket display shelf out of air dry clay. I loved that they put so much time and thought into a gift for me. It felt so special and I wanted to replicate that.
The first one was a Hangyodon car dangler for my friend, Ale. She introduced me to him during a hangout one day and noted that not much merch is made of him, but that he was one of her favorite Sanrio characters. After, she also conveniently commented on the whale that I had in my car. It’s like it all came together: Of course I had to make a Hangyodon dangler for her.
That was probably one of the first times I freehanded a design, but it wasn’t terrible and she was so excited, not only because of the character, but because I made it. She’s always so encouraging of my projects, so it felt special to give her one of her own. Now, I smile each time I’m in her car and see that she chooses to have a piece of me with her, always.
Next, I made my friend Asinate a hanging plant for her wall. She’s outdoorsy and has tons of greenery in her apartment. So, when thinking of a birthday gift for her, I thought it would be perfect. It was something I had made before; therefore, my confidence was a little bit higher. It only lessened when she was opening up gifts and I felt like mine was too small and wouldn’t compare. This quickly changed when she opened it and immediately yelled, “Oh my god, Brittany! Did you make this for me?!” When I confirmed it, she was so excited and gushing. She couldn’t believe I had spent so much time on it and my other friend even joked, saying that he expects one for his birthday, as well.
After these two successful gifts, I’m even more excited to attempt homemade gifts in the future. It’s actually reignited my excitement for gift giving because the possibilities feel endless. I think it also adds a level of intimacy, since I would never spend hours perfecting something for just anyone — only those nearest and dearest to me.
So, this is a reminder to everyone out there, especially with the holidays coming up, that a homemade gift is definitely an option and, oftentimes, people might appreciate it even more than something super extravagant.
Kelley is news editor of the Hays Free Press and News-Dispatch. She can reached via email at [email protected].
