Handmade amulet gift ideas for someone special
When choosing a protective charm to give to someone important—family, friends, or a partner—it’s easy to wonder what would be best.
Buying one at a shrine or temple is certainly an option, but why not try conveying your feelings by gifting a handmade charm imbued with your wishes?
In this article, we’ll share ideas for materials, styles, patterns, and designs.
We’ve selected options ranging from easy-to-make to more elaborate, so we hope you’ll find them helpful when crafting your own.
Send a handmade charm that conveys a special, one-of-a-kind sentiment.
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Handmade amulet gift ideas for someone special (1–10)
chirimen (crepe fabric made from silk or rayon); also used for dried young sardines (chirimen-jako) depending on context
A woven fabric made from silk in a plain weave is called chirimen.
An amulet made with this chirimen is a recommended handmade idea, as the silk material provides a sense of comfort.
Making a chirimen amulet is simple: first, fold the silk in half and sew it in a U-shape.
Next, fold the opening down by about 2 cm and make four holes with an awl.
Finally, thread a cord through the four holes and stitch as if tying the mouth of the pouch to finish.
Choosing a cord in a different color from the pouch will make it look even nicer.
checkered pattern
The checkered Ichimatsu pattern, which also drew attention as the design of Tanjiro’s kimono in the hugely popular anime Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba.
Why not try designing this long-beloved pattern as a charm motif? The method may be familiar to those who’ve done spool knitting (Lilian).
Using a plastic wrap core, you’ll knit yarn called lilyarn.
There are lots of repetitive steps, so once you get the hang of it, anyone can make it easily! Changing the yarn colors will completely transform the feel of the charm, so choose the yarn to match the person you’re giving it to!
Character
If you’re in a club or serving as a manager, talk often comes up about making good-luck charms before an important tournament, right? If you’re making charms for all the members, it can add up to quite a number.
For those who aren’t sure what to make, we recommend character-themed charms.
If you choose characters with a simple design, they’re easy to make and great even when you need to produce a lot! Adding everyone’s initials to the characters will make them feel even more special.
Give it a try!
Handmade amulet gift ideas for someone special (11–20)
a charm with a photo
How about handmaking good-luck charms to give your teammates before the club tournament? Choose materials that match your uniforms or team colors, and if you include a memorable photo you all took together, the recipient is sure to love it.
Prepare felt in your favorite color and cut an opening on the back for a window to insert the photo.
On the front, you can embroider things like jersey numbers or decorate with felt pieces.
Finally, set the photo in place and sew around the edge with a blanket stitch for a cute finish.
The idea of adding a photo is definitely one to keep in mind!
A charm you can make without sewing
If you’re not good at sewing, I recommend a “no-sew amulet.” Using printed fabric tape sold at 100-yen shops, you can make an amulet very easily! It’s usually found in the masking tape section, so try looking there.
Cut the fabric tape according to the pattern and stick it onto a backing paper.
It’s lovely to write a message on the backing as well! Fold the fabric tape, and once it forms the amulet shape, you’re done.
Making the decorative cord on top, called the ‘double kanou knot,’ might be a bit tricky, but give it a try!
charm with lining
Charms that wish for success on exams or serve as birthday gifts—everyone’s happy to receive one.
For those who want to make something heartfelt by hand, we recommend a stylish, beautiful “lined charm.” You can use precut fabric from a 100-yen shop—perfectly fine! Choosing patterns for both the outer and lining fabrics is part of the fun.
Sew two rectangular pieces of fabric with different patterns together to form a pouch.
You can hand-sew or use a sewing machine, but stitching each stitch by hand lets you put even more feeling into it.
Before closing the top, it’s also lovely to tuck a message inside the charm.
blanket stitch
The blanket stitch, used for joining felt and for appliqué, has a charming, rustic look! It’s easy enough for sewing beginners and also quite sturdy, so it’s highly recommended.
This blanket stitch is also great for making amulets! Cut felt into your preferred shape and sew around the edges with a blanket stitch.
Using embroidery thread provides more strength than regular thread and gives a warm, cozy feel to the finish.
Give it a try!