*Freebie* Christmas Gift Box Decoration Tutorial

For the last 3 or 4 years I have enjoyed making Christmas decorations to give to various friends and family. There have been baubles, mushrooms and Christmas trees... and this year... little gift boxes!

I so enjoy the process of trial and error, refinement and ultimately... Success! It's (almost!) Christmas so I thought I'd share my pattern with you here... now you can make your own wee mountain of gifts : )

Gift Box Decoration Tutorial

You will need:
3.75mm crochet hook (or similar size)
Yarn (I just used what was around... mostly 8 ply)
Contrasting or Glitter/Metallic Yarn
Cardboard
Large Wool Needle
Scissors
Ruler
Pencil
Cellotape

You are basically creating 6 continuous box faces, of a similar size, that should meet and join together nicely.  To start, chain 6.

Starting in the second chain from the hook, single crochet (sc) 5 to the end. Chain 1 and turn.
Complete 5 more rows (5sc across each).

In the next row, only sc into the back v's of the previous row.  This will create a line, like the edge of a box!

Continue working 5 more normal sc rows.
Then, again, work another row into the back v's only.
Continue working 5 more normal sc rows thereafter.
Tie off your work.

Your first piece should look similar to this.  One continuous piece that has three sections marked by the wee lines (they can be a bit hard to spot).

If you want, you can create another piece exactly like this one and simply join the two by hand.

Alternatively...
Leaving a long tail, attach and start working a row of sc into the side of the middle section of your first piece.  (I've tried to indicate what I mean with the 5 pins in the picture above.)

Start with the right/lined side facing away from you.  This will ensure all the lines created will be on the same side of the work.  (The star on the picture below indicates where to start the attachment.)

After the initial row, continue to work 5 more normal sc rows.
Then, again, work another row into the back v's only.
Continue working 5 more normal sc rows thereafter.
Then, again, work another row into the back v's only.
Continue working 5 more normal sc rows thereafter.
Tie off your work.  It would be prudent to leave another longish tail.

This picture shows you where all your lines should show and the star indicates where the joining starts.

Grab your large wool needle and, using the long "corner" tail you left, start joining the sides together.   Line up the edge of the short side with the first line of the long side to guide the positioning.

Continue working around the sides to create the box shape.  Before you sew up the last face, you will need to pop a wee box inside to help it keep shape.

To make the box:  Draw a shape (as shown below) on a piece of card.  The sides of each face measures 2cm.
Cut your shape out and stick the sides together to form a box with cellotape.

Once you've popped your little box inside the cover, continue stitching up the edges to join all sides.

Now, if you like, you can just tie some string around it, decorate, add a loop for hanging... whatever takes your fancy.

Or alternatively...
Measure out some contrasting/metallic yarn.  For this stitch I "measured" a piece by wrapping it around the box three or four times and left a long long tail.  See the picture below.

Then proceed to make a chain stitch all the way around, then cross and go all the way the other way around.  I know, I have a way with words but... basically we are simulating ribbon around the four sides ;p

When you get back to the beginning, tie it off but leave the long tail and create a loop for hanging.  Make sure to fasten off and "hide" your ends when you are done.

Hopefully that mostly made sense.  If something isn't clear or you get stuck - please just sing out and I will try my best to help!