We’re right in the thick of the holiday season, with Christmas looming around the corner. Everywhere folks are getting frantic about getting their gift shopping finished and wrapped up before December 25th. But for us knitters, it is time to let our knitting needles fly. Hand-knitted Christmas-themed goodies are not only made with love many don’t even cost more than a few pounds to knit. However, the value of these hand-knit gifts provide to your loved ones is priceless!
If you're worried about knitting your gifts this late in the game, you’re in luck. Thicker yarn gauges knit up in no time with approporte size of knitting needles or even crochet hooks. Here are some Christmas gift ideas for the festive season. Once you decide what you would love to make, choose the yarn and the knitting needles to go with it. For yarn if last-minute shopping is tedious, use your stash or scraps left over from previous projects. Besides needles, be ready with knitting accessories, especially stitch markers, a measuring tape, sharp pair of scissors, repair hook or a crochet hook and knitting bags.
Let’s get started.
1. Chunky Hat or a Slouchy Beanie
Hats are unique as the knitter themselves. They can be made with chunky yarns as well as light weight fibers. Even if you are new to knitting in the round with double pointed needles, you can go ahead with circular needles as well as make one with single pointed needles. Knit flat for a few rows and seam with a wool needle to shape it up.
Choosing the hat size is the most important step. A kid size will be different than an adult-size one. Many times the length of the hat circumference will be your deciding factor for knitting needles. For circular needles, if you are not going by the magic loop technique (there is a different guide to choose knitting needles for magic loop ) the needle length must be smaller than the hat circumference so that the stitches don’t stretch. A slouchy beanie is a classic hat with a style that many people prefer over others with no fixed measurement. Use a rib stitch pattern for the perfect fit. Textured stitch patterns such as moss are lovely. Try out colourwork knitting or knitting with a multi-shade one. This one can easily be done in a few hours or a day at the most.
2. Socks or Stockings
Hand-knitted socks and stockings make lovely Christmas gifts. All you have to do is select some yarn, make sure to pick vibrant colours or Santa red and white are always cheerful colours for children of all ages.
If you are a beginner, refer to our guide on how to knit socks. Hand-knitted stockings are great ornaments on a mantlepiece. For stockings while the knitting works like socks you do not have to focus on the size or fit. Make one with Christmassy colours in a chunky weight yarn. Make a stocking and fill it with goodies. You may or may not make a pair for stockings.
3. Knitted Toys
Toys are a lifetime keepsake at any age. Knitted toys are simply the best. They are made with so much love, do away with the scraps and have a sentimental value for the knitter as well as the one was gifted with the labour of love. Though traditional Amigurumi is done with crochet, many designers have wonderful knitting patterns. Toys are so much fun to make. You can knit in pieces and later seam them together. Make use of your pom pom makers to make some yarn balls. You can shape them into a colourful caterpillar or make a gnome and many other lovelies.
4. Ornaments
The decorative ornaments to hang on to your Christmas tree or your mantlepiece, tables, doors, and bathroom too make for wonderful gifts. You can knit them in hours and have so much option to choose from. Try Christmas themed washcloths, baubles, and table decorations. Snowflakes, Santa and reindeer, Christmas tree are the most common theme. If you have a newborn in the family, thread all the decorations together in a bunting. This one can hang in the baby nursery, just make sure to make it as colourful as you can.
5. Textured Pillows or Cushions
Everyone is a softie when it comes to the yarn softies that dress up your pillows or cushions. Textured stitch patterns are wonderful gifts. These stitch up quite easily on any single pointed needles you own. Or, if you are a fan of circular knitting needles, there is no need to give it up. Try a moss, seed or cable stitch patterns. A smiling emoji knitting pattern is sure to make the gift recipient smile whenever they take a look. Even if you use a simple pattern, chunky-weight yarn will still look beautiful. The more colours you use the more vibrant it gets. If you have the time or for your future gifts, note down the pattern and yarn colours. Later you can knit a throw to go with the pillows or cushions.
6. Chunky Shawl or Scarf
Shawls and scarves make beautiful gift. If you want to knit something substantial in a quick time, use chunky weight yarn. You can knit a simple stockinette or garter stitch pattern and it would look lovely. You don’t even need a pattern but simply cast stitches and knit for rows and rows till you have achieved the desired length. Make a border with pom poms or frills for the little ones. For adults, you can use a crochet hook to make a lace border or make loops, etc.
These are some ideas for your Christmas gift list. They are just meant as an inspiration to get you going for the last -minute gifts. Choose the one you like, improvise your own design and start knitting!
Christmas is a time when hearts are filled with joy, and your art of knitting will only contribute to increase that love. Just make sure to have the right knitting needles and accessories. They will help you turn up your projects on time and not let you exhausted. The right size bamboo knitting needles will work for most projects. Stainless steel knitting needles will assist in colourwork as well as small gauge stitches. Wooden ones such as the Symfonie and Ginger range are absolute delights for almost any knitting project. Circular knitting needles are your best bet. This way you can easily carry your knitting projects on the commute and be done with your gifts at the earliest.
Happy gift knitting.