Free Crochet Patterns for Winter items - Hats, scarves, gloves, socks

When cold winter winds blow and the weather gets chilly, thoughts turn to warm winter accessories. In these hard economic times, few people have money to go and buy the expensive winter accessories that the shops and stores sell at exorbitant prices. Those with the skill to make their own winter accessories have the advantage over those who cannot and such things make excellent and welcome gifts for Christmas or birthdays. Crocheters can take a skein, or two, of yarn and make themselves a scarf, hat, mittens, or other accessories in a few hours. Most crocheters have yarn left over from other projects and need not buy yarn to make a warm hat, pair of mittens, or scarf. You can make many winter accessories using scrap yarn.The internet is always a great resource for crocheters to find free crochet patterns.

Scarves are very easy to make and are a good way to use scrap yarn. You can even crochet a scarf using the mile a minute method. A sampler scarf, such as the Aran sampler scarf, is a good way to learn new stitches or show off your crocheting skill. Scarves are also easy projects for novice or beginning crocheters.

Mittens and gloves keep hands and fingers warm, when it is cold outside. However, if you have to handle coins or other small items they can be awkward, fingerless mitts are the answer, your hands are warm and yet your fingers are free. There are some very easy patterns for mittens gloves and fingerless mitts. Some you could even make from scrap yarn, to brighten up those winter days and relieve your stash of those odd balls or skeins of yarn left over from long finished projects. Crocheted mittens or gloves are also a welcome and inexpensive gift for men, women or children.

Hats, ski masks, helmets, and ear warmers are always necessary in winter weather to keep ears and heads snuggly and warm. They are simple to crochet, but you must make a tension or gauge square before beginning your hat, because there is nothing worse than an ill-fitting hat, especially if you are making it as a gift. Many hat patterns are crocheted in the round and the tiniest size discrepancy in the first few rounds means a huge difference in the size of your finished hat, which would be very disheartening.

Headwear, scarves, and mittens, gloves, or fingerless mitts look wonderful, when they match, and a set of matching items makes a super gift for anyone of any age. There are many free crochet patterns for matching sets of outdoor winter accessories on the internet, try looking at one of the large crochet Pattern Directory sites, such as Crochet Pattern Central, or large crochet community, Ravelry for example .

Many people think it important to keep the head warm in winter to stave off winter illness. However, research shows that keeping the feet warm is vital. Crocheting your own socks means that you can crochet them to fit properly and from fibres that suit you and your particular requirements. You could choose natural fibres and avoid paying the huge prices that all cotton or all wool socks command in the shops. Six ounces or 170 grammes of 100% wool worsted weight (thick double knit or thin Aran weight) yarn will make a pair of basic socks. Crocheted socks also make a handsome and loving gift.

Warm winter accessories are necessary in bleak winter weather. They keep you warm, improve your mood and brighten the gloom of winter days and help you through into the spring.