SaveThis list exists because it is the fifteenth of December and something has gone wrong with the plan. Everything here is under two hours. Most are under one.
Part of our seasonal library.
Timings assume you have made something similar before. If it is your first ever project, roughly double them and start with the coaster.
Icicle ornament
Beginner15 min
A tapered white tube, stiffened. Six of these fill a bare patch of tree.
Gift tag
Beginner15 min
A small star with a chain loop, tied to a parcel.
Key ring charm
Beginner25 min
A tiny tree or bauble on a split ring.
Napkin ring
Beginner20 min
A band with a holly leaf. Four takes under ninety minutes.
Flat star
Beginner25 min
One round, stiffened flat.
Candy cane
Beginner25 min
Striped tube over a pipe cleaner.
Holly sprig
Beginner20 min
Two leaves and three bobbles.
Coaster
Beginner30 min
Worsted cotton, no stiffening needed, immediately useful.
Snowflake, small
Beginner30 min
Cotton thread, six points.
Bookmark
Beginner30 min
A thread strip with a tassel.
Gift box ornament
Beginner30 min
A stuffed cube with a surface ribbon.
Mini tree
Beginner40 min
A stuffed cone, 10 cm, no support needed.
Mug cosy
Beginner45 min
A band with two buttons.
Bauble cover
Beginner45 min
Over a shop-bought ball.
Mini stocking
Beginner45 min
Big enough for a chocolate coin.
Ear warmer
Beginner1 hour
One band with a twist at the front. A real gift in an hour.
Pot holder
Beginner1 hour
Cotton, doubled. Never acrylic.
Beanie
Beginner2 hours
The largest thing still realistic. Bulky yarn brings it to ninety minutes.
What to do with the time you have
| Time left | Make |
|---|---|
| One evening | Six ornaments, or four napkin rings, or two coasters and a tag |
| A weekend | Two ear warmers and a set of coasters, or one beanie and four ornaments |
| Five days | Three or four real gifts if you make the same thing repeatedly |
Make the same item several times rather than several different items. The second takes about two thirds as long as the first and the third about half, because you stop reading.
Questions
What can I crochet in under an hour?
Ornaments, tags, coasters, napkin rings, mug cosies and key ring charms.
Is it too late to crochet a gift?
Not for anything under two hours. A beanie or a pair of ear warmers is still realistic in the last week.
What is the fastest useful crochet gift?
An ear warmer at about an hour, or a set of four coasters at two.
Can I speed up by using bigger yarn?
Yes, considerably. Bulky yarn on a large hook cuts most projects by a third to a half.
What should I not start in the last fortnight?
Anything over about four hours. Blankets, garments and tree skirts will not be finished.
How do I make several gifts quickly?
Pick one pattern and make it five times. Repetition is much faster than variety.