Let’s face it, ladies. With so many crafty, creative gents out there and so much economic pressure to take on do-it-yourself tasks, the art of crochet is no longer a girls-only club.
Granted, you aren’t as likely to see your average Joe stitching away during his morning commute or on his coffee break, but there are plenty of men nowadays who are comfortable enough in their own virility to be seen making hats and scarves in their spare time. Furthermore, as much time as I dedicate to homemade gifts and knickknacks, I often find myself at a loss for homemade gifts for men.
Elisabeth posted an excellent tutorial for a Crochet Paracord Bracelet Cuff Pattern on Calleigh’s Clips & Crochet Creations, in which she details her swift assembly of a fantastic, gender-neutral bracelet crocheted from paracord. A lightweight nylon originally designed for use on World War II parachutes, paracord is a great alternative to yarn and other threads because it is both durable enough for a bracelet and androgynous enough to please both men and women.
Personally, I see this as a great opportunity to launch into the world of the “man-celet,” or bracelets for men. Plenty of young trendy fellas sport manly wrist-cuffs and leather bracelets, and this crocheted paracord bracelet could be the latest trend. Considering the battered appearance of my favorite bracelets, I would wear one of these tough, yet gorgeously complex cuffs in a heartbeat. Paracord comes in a variety of colors, allowing for simple personalization and creative design. It has very little give, which makes it a great option for long-lasting bracelets, hats and hatbands.
At any rate, I certainly won’t have any trouble coming up with stocking stuffers and gift ideas for the guys this year. Check out Elisabeth’s free crochet pattern for an easy, last-minute option for the fashionable gentlemen in your life.
Do you know any crafty guys who enjoy crocheting for themselves? What do they like to make? What types of craft projects do you usually enjoy creating for men? What are your favorite crochet patterns for men?
Man-celets rule!