Need crochet gift ideas

[BoxOfRocks]

I'm going to visit my cousin and her husband and have about four months to make something.  It will be the first time I'm visiting them and I'd like to bring a crochet host gift.  I'm a tad stumped.  They are in their early 30s, no kids, and live in San Francisco.

The gift must:

1) Not be too personal, like clothes.  I'm not sure of their sizes and for these relatives, it's a little too familiar.

2)  Not include long chains (like afghans with rows that are 100+ stitches long).  I lack the gene necessary to keep these even as the project progresses.

3)  Be practical.  Again, since I'm not ultra-close with them, I'd rather go on the safe side with something they can use.

4)  Not take up too much space in the luggage.  I'm flying.

Are scarves OK?  Are they useful in San Fran climate-wise?  Maybe a couple of throw pillows I could smush in my luggage?

Thanks!

[sunspotted]

Placemats?

[Xelerej]

Scarves would be good. Or hats maybe? I was there a few weeks ago. It never got much above 65. Brrrrr. Do you know what hobbies they have, or anything they may collect?

[yelley]

i know it's nice to give a handmade gift, but honestly i'd say that if you're not close with them and you don't know much about their styles and home decor, maybe a 'safe' gift would be a better choice. if you're set on giving a crocheted gift, i'd suggest a throw-sized afghan in a neutral color since you have 4 months to make it. you can do it in squares so you're not working with huge chains or anything like that. wouldn't take up much more space in your luggage than some smooshed throw pillows and i think it would be more universally appreciated.

[DisneyFan]

If you're going to do an afghan, I'd use two strands of worsted weight at one time and use a large hook--like a P or Q.  There is one of the afghans on the lion brand website that is something like a 5 1/2 hour afghan--of course, if you use WW, it takes a bit longer, but it's a simple pattern.  You could always use a neutral color.  But to answer your scarf question, yes they could be useful in San Francisco--it can get very cold in the mornings--even during the summer.  Of course, if you have the money to spend, you could always treat them to dinner while you're there or give them a gift card to somewhere they like to eat---it's not homemade, but people always appeciate food. 

[RebelTrendsetter]

Ok here are my ideas:
1. Dishcloths/washcloths (see 50 washcloth crochetalong for ideas http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=182441.0)
2. Pot holders ( i just made some of these myself just the other day and they're fabulous http://bittersweetblog.wordpress.com/2006/09/15/a-slice-of-summer/)
3. Granny square pillows in neutral colors, usually go with black and/or white because that'll go with any decor. You can either line and stuff them yourself or you could go to a discount store like Ross and buy cheap pillows and make the granny squares around that.
4. I saw this last night and thought they were way cute but i don't have any nice glasses, The crochet dude has "glass flip flops", they're basically coasters designed like flip flops so the thong part holds the glass to the coaster lol They're a relatively young couple so I would think they would have wine or champagne glasses in their house http://thecrochetdudepatterns.blogspot.com/
5. You could always make a basket and fill it with stuff, like this cute sugar and cream basket http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=e00504 you could fill it with little items you think they might like, like candy or something.
6. You could always do something that's just kinda like a novelty like this starbucks cup lol http://ax174.blogspot.com/2006/04/stashbucks-cup.html

thats about all i can think of right now, i hope i helped some and if i think of anymore ill post again.

[MareMare]

I second the dishcloth idea! Easy to make, and everyone can use them!

[BoxOfRocks]

I really like the dishcloth and potholder idea!  Is there a specific yarn I should use because of heat exposure?  Thanks!

Yes, I admit handmade gifts are on the less safe end of the gift spectrum.  The main reason for the visit to San Fran is to see a relative on my husband's side who is celebrating a milestone birthday.  We'll only have time to see my cousin briefly. I won't know if we'll have time to grab a bottle of wine or something like that beforehand.  So I'd like to bring a gift that's travel-friendly but not too intensive.  Something small that's appropriate to the occasion.  But we'll definitely offer to pay for a dinner, too.

I've tried the 5 1/2 hour afghan before.  I was not successful in making it workable.  Let's just say, 20 hours later, there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth.   

Thanks again!

[Eliea]

The basket mentioned a few posts up is really easy and doesn't require huge chains. You can easily adapt it to a smaller size too. I made it for my sister in law and she loved it. She is someone who I don't know very well as she lives in another state and I've only been married for almost 2 years.
You can make it in any color you like and it's nice and portable.

Hats and scarves are great You could always use a cotton yarn to make it more light weight if you weren't sure of the climate.
I was going to suggest slippers.
I love a good crocheted slipper and there's a pattern on the finished objects board that a bunch of people seem to have had success with.
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=127333.0

[WIPs]

Cotton is recommended for dishcloths and the like. There's Peaches/Sugar n Cream.