I warned you stripes would feature again – and here is the first example. My local Pound Store sells these covered hangers in packs of three and it only takes a couple of hours to transform them into lovely gifts. Either, random stripes like the one shown here or  in plain colours or in keeping with a theme such as a wedding or even Christmas.

Simply take a selection of yarn from your stash and whip up a fab little gift in under an hour. These would be great if you have a summer craft stall coming up and as it’s such a simple thing to do, there’s no pattern and hence no copyright. Instructions here use DK yarn, but feel free to use whatever you have around.

Instructions: Using Uk crochet terms.

Ch: chain

Htr: half treble

With 4mm hook and DK yarn of your choice. Ch 17. Turn

Row 1: Htr into 3rd ch from hook. HTR to end. Turn

Row 2: Ch 2, htr into 3rd ch from hook. HTR to end, changing colour on the last htr. Turn

Continue working in half treble with 2 rows in each colour until the work is asnlong as your hanger is wide. Fasten off.

Now, you’re about to read something I always tell my pupils never to do…

Take a look at all those pesky yarn ends that lie along one side of your work, if you didn’t eave them in as you were crocheting, you’ll have a little fringe all down one side. Take a deep breath … knot them. Yes, your eyes aren’t deceiving you, just take a couple at a time, tie them in a neat little reef knot and trim the ends. It’s ok, you’re going to hide them all in the seam of the hanger and no-one will ever see them!!

Once you’ve tied all the ends in, weave in yarn ends at beginning and end. Find the centre of your work, slip over the hanger, pushing the crochet through the hanger handle. Fold over neatly at the back and sew the long seam with matching yarn. Fold over the ends and sew these too. Now, add a pretty ribbon and you have a pretty little coat hanger all set to brighten up your day!

Feel free to use 4 ply (more chains needed) or an aran weight (less chains needed). You only need to swatch a couple of rows to get the right measurements for your hanger, so off you go. Dive into your stash and have some fun with colour this weekend.

T x

ps:  A word about “copyright”. You are free to make and sell items using these instructions, in fact I hope you will. It would be nice if you credited http://www.bakingandmaking.com if you do so, and I’d love to see photos of what you make.