With as many gifts as we often want to crochet for Christmas, it’s nice to have plenty of thoughtful options for things that work up fast.
I’ve put together my top 25 crochet Christmas free gift ideas that you can complete within 30 minutes to a weekend!
If you like to crochet, chances are that you like to give crochet gifts. There’s just something inherently special about putting a present together and gifting it when you made it yourself. And your loved one will cherish the gift because it’s sentimental to them.
But, when it comes to Christmas time, sometimes there are so many different people we’d like to make presents for that it can get overwhelming. One way to work with this is to find small, quick ideas that is fast and easy to crochet.
And even though any gift can be personalized, there are just some things that strike me as a little bit more personable, and that is a crochet gift.
So, even though I have included some very practical items in the roundup of crochet ideas below, I have made sure to keep the “meaningful” gift ideas front and center.
(Note: This post contains affiliate links, meaning that if you make a purchase it may benefit me at no extra cost to you. You can read all of my affiliate disclosures and other disclaimers on the disclaimers page. )
Want a few popular patterns as free PDFs?
Now once you have your ideas together of all the gifts you want to make, be sure to check out my post about prioritizing the order of working on your gifts.
I also have a post about finding more time to crochet, which might be helpful to you in the crunch season leading up to Christmas!
Below are ideas for quick crochet gifts. Some can be made as quickly as 30 minutes, some in an hour, and some can take a weekend to complete.
These times are meant to be an estimate based on the project descriptions and my own experience.
5 Crochet Gifts in Just 30 Minutes
Starting off this list are some of the quickest crochet gifts out there. These are first so that, if you know you are short on time, you can take a look, take your pick(s) and take up your hook right away!
1. Classic Snowflake Ornament
Crochet Christmas ornaments are very popular gifts. They can be made to reflect any type of taste or interest, and they are usually very quick projects.
This star-like pattern is simple enough to make and can be whipped up in just a few minutes!
2. Cute Little Bows
Okay, now this second idea could really be used in many different ways. This set of multi-size, textured bows are perfect for creating ornaments, hair clips, and actual gift accents.
But you can also add them to larger projects whenever you need an extra touch of adorable.
You can find this design for several sizes of bows here. You can also check out how I used them on some messy bun hats and check out a whole different pattern for a bow inside of a blanket square.
Prefer the PDF version? You can grab it here.
3. A No-Fuss Crochet Necklace
Jewelry projects are another crochet idea that use very little yarn and often go rather quickly.
Although there are some really intricate(and AMAZING) crochet jewelry designs out there, this necklace is a simple way to create something special.
Additionally, the idea or option to add beads to crochet garments or other projects would add another special element. If that interests, you, feel free to check out this guide to crocheting with beads.
Prefer the PDF version? You can grab it here.
4. A Really Chunky Mug Cozy
For something quick, you can whip up a simple buttoned mug cozy and gift it to your favorite tea or coffee lover. Now, maybe I’m speaking for myself here, but anything that relates to a hot cup of coffee or tea is a meaningful gift!
This pattern is nice because you can easily adjust the fit with where you choose to put the button.
5. A Unique (and VERY warm) Headband
Last but not least in our fastest category, we have this ear warmer:
Now, this particular idea might be a little more trendy than the others, but it’s actually a very simple design. The stitch itself looks intimidating, but it’s well worth learning and yes, very warm indeed.
If you’re up for learning the very interesting Jasmine Stitch, you can check out instructions and video here. You can also make an entire beanie with this stitch if you end up really liking it!
Prefer the PDF version? You can grab it here.
10 Crochet Gifts in 1 Hour
Now we’ll move on to gifts that take about an hour to make.
Obviously, a little more time to crochet each gift means that you have more options. I hope these are also really helpful!
6. Messy Bun Hats
Even going beyond the “super chunky” crochet accessories, many projects such as crochet headwear are relatively fast. These messy bun hats, are one example.
Made in medium-weight yarn, this pattern comes in three sizes for kids and adults alike.
7. Fingerless Gloves
Fingerless gloves are another easy accessory that you can make in under an hour.
This post will show you multiple versions to pick from. Plus, it may show you how easy these are to make in case you decide to go for something totally different!
8. Baby Bonnets
Possibly the most adorable baby wearable is a classic bonnet. These precious tied hats are so classic and sweet, and can often take very little time to make.
My own design, the Herringbone Bonnet, is my go-to for baby gifts any time of the year. The large and small sizes (plus a separate newborn size) are all available in the Crochet Makers Community.
Prefer the PDF version? Grab it here.
9. Coaster Set
This coaster set is a good gift idea specifically a good idea for someone with very clean, modern taste.
Using the griddle stitch in a couple of different colors produces a really pretty houndstooth effect, but applied here it looks more trending and less classic.
10. Crochet a Jar Luminary
This unique project is a great way to brighten up your own home, or it can also be an easy way to wrap AND create a candle gift for a loved one.
The bobbles in this luminary also look a bit like falling snow.
11. Baskets
Turning our attention to the home, let’s look at organization baskets. Crochet baskets are both super-practical and trending, and they’re not done quite as often as other items like scarves.
You could work one or more small or medium baskets up in an hour (depending on the yarn used) to get a usable and meaningful gift.
Note: This gift is a particularly good idea if you know the colors of someone’s home, or the space where they might choose to use the basket.
12. A Fancier Ornament
If you still like the idea of creating an ornament but actually have more than 30 minutes or an hour, creating a fancier ornament like these is a good way to create something special.
In the process, you’ll also learn how to do a fancy stitch in the round!
13. Finger Puppet Set
For kids, creating these finger puppets is a fantastic gift you can crochet that will create opportunities for creative play. This pattern is suitable for many different levels. “Comfortable beginner” would probably be a good way to describe it.
No advanced techniques are used to make the puppet shapes, and the most advanced stitch is probably working two single crochet stitches together.
14. Statement Table Trivet
Here is another pattern that has a very simple construction, combined with a less common stitch, to create something special.
This design uses just a few rounds of Jasmine Stitch to create a thick and visually striking potholder or trivet.
Members of the Crochet Makers Community have access to my video on how to do the Jasmine Stitch in the round.
Prefer the PDF version? You can grab it here.
15. Donut Toy
This post shares a festive and quick pattern to crochet your own colorful donut. With this design you can make just one piece to use flat as a coaster or as a decoration.
You an also make two donut sides and stitch them together with a bit of stuffing to make a rather realistic and life-sized donut that is 3-dimensional.
Prefer the PDF version of this pattern? You can get it here.
10 Crochet Gifts in a Weekend
Finally, we’ve come to projects that are just a little longer. These are things that will generally take a couple hours to finish all the way up to a weekend.
Whether you decide to reach for one of these “larger” quick projects for just one gift or more, the ideas are still here to help you make a big impact with whatever amount of time you have. You can do it!
16. Accessory Sets
A little more time means that if you want you can make a matching set of things for someone who will love to be tucked in crochet goodness. And while you can definitely mix and match patterns, these ideas are all for accessory sets designed to go together.
The Cozy Cathy Earwarmer and Gloves are two very luxurious-feeling patterns that are made to go together and that actually work up faster thatn you might expect, since they’re a bit lacy.
Prefer the PDF version of the Cozy Cathy Ear warmer pattern? You can get it here.
17. Simple Blanket
Wait, an actual blanket? Yes! In fact, there are plenty of options for blankets that can be done in this time frame.
This baby blanket design uses a very simple concept that you can easily translate into making a larger blanket if you’d like to use super bulky yarn.
18. Festive Granny Stitch Cardigan
One of the MOST popular designs ever here is the Granny Gifts Cardigan. This fun all-in-one cardigan design works up quickly and comes in a large range of sizes so you can make it for either yourself or your loved ones.
Prefer the PDF version? You can get it here.
19. Christmas Gnome
While this gnome is worked in a few different pieces, it is still an easy/beginner pattern overall.
If you are comfortable working in the round and can crochet consistently using single crochet, then this pattern should turn out very cute for you!
20. Velvet Kimono
This Velvet Kimono Pattern combines super-plush texture with a lacy openwork design.
Prefer the PDF version? You can grab it here.
21. Gingerbread House
This whimsical crochet cottage is a sweet project to work up as part of your Christmas Decorating, or as a gift.
Prefer the PDF version of this pattern? You can grab it here.
22. Triangle Shawl
During the busy season, having projects that you can do with a very simple repeat can allow you to finish the types of gifts that you want to without using up as much brainpower.
This simple crochet shawl is one of those projects.
23. Towel Set
At the very beginning of this post, I mentioned that some gifts can be made for just about anyone. Dishtowels are certainly a very “safe” gift, but it’s worth saying here that there are in fact a LOT of people who appreciate practical gifts, or who love anything thoughtful and handmade.
If you think you have one of those sorts of people on your gifting list, creating a little set for them with trevi towels and trevi washcloths will probably be a big hit.
Prefer the PDF version of this pattern? You can grab it here.
24. Throw Blanket
The Winter Windows Throw is a wonderful blanket to make for a favorite couch or even as a bed covering. The weight of the yarn make the finished throw go a bit faster feel like an actual “weighted” blanket.
It is just very substantial and feels reassuring to have on your lap when snuggled in for the night.
25. A Poncho in Any Size
And finally, the last project idea in our list for now is this very popular poncho.
While the original project pictured here was made for a toddler, these ponchos are extremely easy and can be whipped up in any size.
Prefer the PDF version of this pattern? You can grab it here.
Final Thoughts
With any luck, hopefully now you have ideas for everyone on your gifting list! Whether you want to make them something to wear, something really practical, or something else personalized, there are plenty of options for making these gifts meaningful.
At the end of the day (or Christmas season) I have no doubt they will appreciate your consideration and thoughtful time spent to make them something-even if it wasn’t a ton of time!
If you’d like access to ALL of the projects above and more make sure you check out the Makers Crochet Vault and see if it’s currently open!
And before you go, grab your free pattern bundle so that you can come up with your own great gift ideas. It’s your free bonus for signing up for my emails, and I think you’ll be glad you did!
I’m pretty excited about this tool, and if you want to comment or share any of the project ideas that it helped you come up with, I’d love to hear about them!
I hope you have fun whipping up your quick crochet gifts, and that you have a wonderful Christmas time! (Don’t forget to pin this list too, so you can find it for all the different projects.)
Keep the crafting delightful,
Amelia
What’s Next?
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These thoughtful, but fast crochet gifts will give you plenty of options when time is short!
