Let’s Throw a Crochet Party with Games and Gifts

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Happy Birthday, Interweave Crochet! Fifteen is a big birthday in magazine years, and Interweave Crochet certainly has a lot to celebrate. From showcasing stunning patterns by the most gifted designers to introducing new yarns, notable notions, and presenting tips and tricks from countless contributors, we are all better crafters for having Interweave Crochet in our lives.

In honor of Interweave Crochet’s fifteenth birthday, I’ve pulled together some crochet-inspired party ideas. Whether you are an avid Interweave Crochet reader ready to ring in this special birthday issue or are simply excited to gather with your friends, I encourage you to plan your own party for your favorite crochetists. And, while I certainly hope we can all celebrate in person soon, many of these ideas work well for virtual or outdoor gatherings, too.

Spread the Word

Guests are the life of the party, so make sure your friends know where to be and when! Go the extra mile and prepare handwritten invitations. Trust me, that one simple step will set the tone for the whole party. Find a card that fits the style and theme of your gathering, such as these Eco Anytime Cards from Thread & Maple. Bonus: You can save any extras for yarn-lover birthday cards.

Now, I realize that confetti can be controversial, but hear me out: When done right, it is absolutely delightful. The trick is to avoid creating a mess that fills your would-be guests with loathing. Instead, fill your card with something fun and functional, such as stitch markers! Removable stitch markers fit perfectly in an envelope and add an extra pop of fun. Your friends will have the perfect party reminder to slip onto their current works in progress.

Crochet Cuisine

It’s not a birthday party without cupcakes! And, since this is an extra-special birthday for Interweave Crochet, let’s really dress up these desserts. Whether you buy or bake, definitely grab a set of crochet lace cupcake wrappers from Sweet Crafty Tools. They come in a host of colors to match any color scheme. Save a few to use with votive candles; the flame will cast the lovely crochet design throughout the room!

Consider finding some edible doilies to decorate your cookies or cupcakes for an extra-lacy touch of elegance. Place an edible doily atop a frosted cake to create a simple and stunning look. The intricate patterns will have everyone reminiscing about their previous lace-crochet project.

Let’s not forget refreshments. Bring out the wine glasses for your libations, whether you’re serving lemonade or limoncello. Your wine glasses can get in on the crochet-themed fun with these beautiful, functional stitch markers from Floops. The stitch markers come in a range of colors, so have guests ID their respective wine glasses by selecting a few different colors to slip onto the stems.

Once the drinks are flowing, it’s time for cookie decorating. Find a simple sweater cookie cutter (perhaps from among your holiday collection) and make a batch of sugar cookies in advance. Make some colorful frosting and have everyone design their own crochet sweater patterns. Better yet, have everyone pick a pattern from this issue to mimic! Make it a contest and have everyone vote on their favorite designs. Winner gets bragging rights and to choose the next game.

Yarn Stash Grab Bag

While I’m all for keeping things simple and letting a party unfold as it will, an anniversary birthday calls for some extra-special celebrating. Consider some fun and games to really make an event out of your afternoon, evening, or brunch. Put a yarn-lover spin on the classic grab-bag exchange. Ask each of your guests to gift wrap a skein from their yarn stash in advance and bring it to the event. Go the extra mile and make the wrappings crochet-themed using something such as this adorable Floral Llama Wrapping Paper from Papersource.

Try to keep who brought what a secret. If you’re hosting at home, designate a separate room where guests can set down their coats and surreptitiously add their gift to the growing pile. Leave a roll of wrapping paper in there, too, in case anyone needs to do some last-minute wrapping. A quick internet search will uncover numerous sets of rules and variations for secret gift exchanges. I suggest playing two rounds. To determine turn order, either draw numbers or decide by the number of years each player has been crocheting!

For the first round, have each crochetist choose a gift, either from the center pile or by stealing from a friend. If someone’s gift is stolen, have them immediately choose another gift from the center. At the end of this round, have each player unwrap their gift and show off their skeins.

For the second round, each player gets a chance— in turn order—to either keep their current gift or trade skeins with another player. To really mix it up, have everyone choose new numbers for this second round. At the end of the final round, everyone has a new skein of yarn to call their own! (Postgame trading is highly encouraged.)

Bonus Crochet Challenge

For advanced crochetists, I offer an especially challenging idea. Using the cupcake wrappers or edible doilies on the dessert table, challenge your guests to crochet a doily mimicking the design as best they can. No pattern; all from sight! Either make it a timed game or have everyone vote on the closest design. (For an easier version, have everyone design an original granny square on the fly!)

To start this design challenge, either have everyone grab the skeins they just won in the grab-bag exchange or plan ahead by ordering a set of coordinating mini-skein sets to distribute. For a versatile party favor, get everyone a set of locking stitch markers, perfect for marking the rounds as they work on their doily challenge. These flexible tools are great for your multihyphenate crafters, because they can be used as stitch holders or markers, progress keepers, or even small cable needles.

The finished pieces can be wonderful mementos for guests to remember a great party, or ask if you can keep all of the finished doilies and sew them together into a table runner for future gatherings. Coordinating mini skeins will make this an especially beautiful keepsake!

Keep Celebrating

A birthday or anniversary is always a good reminder to go the extra mile, but let’s not wait for a special occasion to enjoy special time together. If the previous year has taught us anything, it’s to remember and prioritize who and what is most important to us. With that in mind, I encourage you to consider making this inaugural crochet party a tradition.

Start a monthly crochet club at a friend’s home, a favorite cafe or brewery, or a beautiful park or nature preserve. Rotate hosts and locations for each meeting. Crafting circles are an age-old tradition of yarn enthusiasts—and for good reason. I guarantee you that it will become the favorite event on your calendar!

If you already have a regular crochet group, consider adding a new spin to your meetups. Have the group work on the same project and help one another make it, breaking the pattern into chunks for each month. This is especially helpful if you are tackling sweaters for the first time. If you have the means in your crafting budget, consider subscribing to a yarn box or club. You can all unbox together, trading skeins and add-ons as you wish. It’s a great way to add a fun, new twist to your crafting circles.

Whether you’re planning to throw a big party or schedule a small gathering, make it a priority to connect with your favorite crochetists this spring—you’re sure to start the season on the right note and set the tone for a great year ahead.

Originally published in the Spring 2021 issue of Interweave Crochet.

Felicia Owens has been an avid yarn enthusiast since she was eight years old. When her hands get tired from crocheting, Felicia also loves ice skating, painting, and reading along the Chicago lakefront.

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