What do you need?
the PDF with the pattern
or a pencil
pair of scissors
felt in cheerful colors
matching yarn
pins
needles
shreds of white felt
pencil
If you are familiar with Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, then you know that the festival lasts for nine days. Every day a candle is lit in the menorah, exactly 9 candles fit in it and corresponding prayers are offered. The house is cleaned, there is much cooking and baking and a lot of family visits, with presents for the children.
When we saw this countdown calendar with the 8 days previous to Hanukkah on the internet, we were immediately sold, this is our craft for this year! You can glue the calendar together, but we prefer to sew it (more durable and beautiful).
How to make the countdown calendar
Download our PDF or draw the dreidel.
Cut out the 2 parts and you will have a little bag.
Pin the pattern on the different colours of felt.
Cut out the 8 two-piece dreidels neatly.
Draw the number 1 - 8 on the white snippets.
Cut out and pin on the smallest parts.
Consider how you'd like to combine the colours.
Do mind you pin the right numbers on the corresponding colours!
Sew the numbers on the dreidels.
Pin on both the dreidel parts.
Sew them onto the background.
Cut 3 long strips from a new colour.
Pin on 2 of the strips.
Tie a small bow from the third strip.
Pin it all and sew it on.
Sew the back and the front of the calender together using the blanket stitch
Insert cardboard in between and sew the bottom closed, ready!
Fill the pockets with small surprises.
The mini-monsters (and we) absolutely love the Countdown Calender, do you too?
Happy Hanukkah 2021!