Two little gnomes, a reindeer and a Christmas pudding with a sprig of holly, sized to hang on the tree or a garland. It is a complete amigurumi crochet kit for beginners: you crochet the pieces, stuff them and stitch them together into a little keepsake you made yourself.
Hanging little figures on the Christmas tree goes back to the 1800s, when families trimmed their trees with homemade ornaments, sweets and small toys. Amigurumi, from the Japanese words for crocheted (ami) and stuffed doll (nuigurumi), is the craft of crocheting small stuffed figures in the round.
Why this kit: a full set of characters from one kit; small pieces that work up quickly, so the whole set fits into a few cozy evenings; and practice yarn and video tutorials, so the family can make them together.
Kit includes: red, green, brown, beige, cream and white yarn, practice yarn, a crochet hook, a yarn needle, stitch markers, fiberfill, safety eyes, red fur balls, a hot-melt glue stick, a basic manual and crocheting instructions, in a Christmas gift box. Video tutorials are available to follow along. Not included: scissors.
Start with the video tutorials and practice the basic stitches on the practice yarn, then follow the pattern one piece at a time: crochet each part in rounds, mark the start of every round with a stitch marker, stuff it with fiberfill and sew the parts together with the yarn needle. The finished pieces are decorations for adults and teens, not toys for young children, as safety eyes and small parts can be a choking hazard.
Finished size: about 2.6-3.1 in (6.5-8 cm). It is a natural fit for a Christmas tree, a garland or a mantel, and makes a thoughtful gift for a family Christmas craft night or grandparents.
