Felted bowl: a crochet gift for the man who has everything

I have known Simon for years, and over the years, I am sure that he has acquired pretty much everything a man could need or want. Well, that's not because he is some kind of stuff-hoarder, but maybe it's just my impression because I could not think of a thing to get him. I find it hard to do gifts for men in general. Even harder is trying to come up with some kind of crafty thing for men. So I thought long & hard and then I figured that every man needs a place to put his keys and wallet when he comes home from work. What could be better for this that a sturdy felted bowl?

I made this one from crochet, which is not really how you are supposed to make felted things, but there you go. I think knitting rather than crochet probably makes a smoother felt, but as crochet is thicker and sturdier, I figured why not give it a go? I pretty much followed the same pattern as I did when I made the recycled jeans bowl - which is really easy: just crochet in the round and increase when you want to make the bowl sides go up & out, decrease when you want to make the opening narrower. Anyone could do it.

I picked nice manly colours and used Rowan Super Chunky wool. He loved it and it goes well with his decor. Yay - now what will I make him next year ?!?