We've reached the point where I am no longer looking at the calendar for how many days before my gifts must be finished, but the clock. We're counting in hours now, folks.

The first pattern is for a quick vintage-inspired dishcloth.

What you'll need: Size 5 mm hook, two colors of worsted weight kitchen cotton, a button, a yarn needle, about two hours for each cloth.

Ch 3, foundation double crochet 43. Rotate to work in dc edge of foundation.

Ch 3 (counts as first dc throughout), dc in next 19 dc, dc3tog, dc across, turn.

Ch 3, dc to one st before dc3tog, dc3tog, dc across.

Repeat last row until 3 sts remain, turn. Note: Change colors every two rows, and carry unused color up side of work to avoid extra end-weaving.

Strap:

Ch 1, sc across, turn.

Rep last row for several inches.

Ch 5, sl st in last sc (buttonhole). Do not fasten off.

Edge:

Rotate to work in row-ends.

The second pattern is for a Santa handkerchief doll. It's a great gift for a baby's first Christmas!

What you'll need: Size 4 mm hook, skein of red worsted weight cotton, a small amount of white cotton, a tennis-ball sized bit of fiberfill, one st marker, yarn needle, about 4 hours.

Head:

Note: worked in spiral rounds.

With red, ch 2, 6 sc in 2^nd ch from hook (or work an adjustable loop and work 6 sc in loop).

2 sc in each sc around.

[Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st] around.

[Sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st] around.

[Sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st] around.

Sc evenly for 5 rnds.

[Sc in next 3 sc, sc2tog] around.

[Sc in next 2 sc, sc2tog] around.

[Sc in next sc, sc2tog] around.

Close head:

Stuff head with fiberfill.

Fold sides of neck opening together, sc across through both thicknesses.

Arms and body:

Note: beg work in rows.

Ch 21, sc in 2^nd ch from hook and in each ch across, sc across neck, ch 21, turn.

Sc in 2^nd ch from hook and in each ch across, sc across neck, sc to last 10 sts of arm, turn, leaving rem 10 sts unworked.

Ch 1, sc across to last 10 sts of other arm, turn leaving rem sts unworked.

Ch 1, sc across, turn.

Rep last row until body forms a square.

At end of last body row, ch 21.

Sc in 2^nd ch from hook and in each ch across, sc across body, ch 21.

Sc in 2^nd ch from hook and in each ch across, sl st across body. Fasten off.

Tie knots in strands for hands and feet. Weave in ends.

Hat:

With white, ch 2, 6 sc in 2^nd ch from hook.

Sc evenly around for 4 rnds. Change to red.

Sc around.

Continue to sc around, increasing as desired in random staggered places, to form a cone stocking cap. Fasten off red.

Join white in any st.

I hope that helps, fellow desperate crafters!