Knitters and crocheters do not need special days for their crafts. But, Father's Day demands for some special projects to work up knitting needles or crochet hooks. Every year on the third Sunday of June, fathers and grandfathers, uncles or paternal figurines, Father’s Day is celebrated all over the world. With only a few days to go, now is the time to start with your gift making. As a knitter, the most wonderful gift you can give is something made with your knitting needles. Whether you are a beginner or advanced in craft, you can always explore patterns that work as wonderful gifts. Even if you are a crafter who specializes in working with crochet hooks, you can explore these ideas for your gift-making.
Gather your knitting needles, accessories and yarn as we share our list of knitting ideas. For knitting patterns, you can try and work with one or plan on your own.
So, let’s get started.
1. Socks
Socks are for every season and every occasion perfect for gifting. A pair of hand-knit socks for your lovely dad is wonderful. For yarn, a skein will be enough and if you have a yarn stash, this will get you sorted and help out with a wonderfully colorful gift. Little hearts, footballs or golf designs or any other favorite will make the socks very special.
Work with a set of 2mm or 3mm double-pointed needles. If you are a fan of circular needles, then either work with one in the appropriate length or the magic loop technique then you can knit socks with circular needles of 32 to 40 inches length. Knitting two socks at a time with two circular needles works well. If you have knit socks previously just follow the same steps but start with the right measurements, the right foot size. Even if you are a beginner, our guide on knitting socks will help you through. Crocheting socks is also simple. This can be particularly worn at home for the cold days. You can also pair it up with handmade slippers.
2. Tie
Ties are lovely gifts for your man. Knitting a tie is a quick and easy project. You can plan your own design or find amazing fun official patterns online. Basically you knit a long piece of fabric back and forth. Try out stripes or colorwork or cables or any other interesting stitch patterns. US 0-2 knitting needles are ideal for a fabric with a drape effect. You can also crochet a tie if you want a fabric with more structure.
3. Scarf
Scarfs are also wonderful gifts that stitch up in no time. You can pick up any pair of your single-pointed knitting needles and knit back and forth till the desired length. Many knitters prefer circular knitting needles over straights as the cable length carries the weight of the project rather than the needles that fatigue your hands and wrists. If you are crocheter, then you can easily go ahead and crochet one. Here’s a quick guide to crochet a multi-coloured scarf. Here too you can go ahead without a pattern by making the project in rows. This project too can work with one single skein or your yarn stash will provide your supply. You can either create a colourful project or work with motifs such as hearts or stars, etc. or just keep it simple with solid colours but a very fine yarn.
A scarf in chunky weight yarn is done much more easily than others, so you can consider one if your dad is one to pull it off. Another great option is working with the technique of double knitting, where you can knit two unique sides of a pattern at the same time.
4. Mittens
There are many mitten projects that you can work on as long as you are confident with knitting in the round. You can work with any set of DPNs or circular needles in the right length. From fingerless mittens to ones with covered fingers or just tubes for the wrists, there are lots of projects you can try.
Knit some of your dad’s favorites with motifs or Intarsia knitting. You can also make a pair in your father’s favorite color without much embellishment but with yarn fiber that he loves.
5. Cup Cozy
A simple knit and yet so creative, a mug cozy can be made individually or in a set. If he already has a few you can dress up his favourite potted plants with a cozy for the weather. You can either knit a seamless round or make a square or rectangle and then shape up the project. If your father is not a coffee person and more of wine guy then the cozy can be worked to keep wines cool and ready.
6. Hat
Hats are for every season. For every day or special day, they are for wonderful gifts. Cast on stitches on a circular needle and make a seamless pattern. Double-pointed needles are also perfect for the task as long as you are confident knitting with DPNs and have the right length of the needle. If your dad is a fan of wide brimmed hats, crocheting one is much better. With crochet techniques and a stiff fabric you can easily fashion out a hat that holds its shape.
7. Sweater or Cardigan
A sweater may seem like a time-taking project but chunky-weight yarn will get your project done faster. If you have knit a sweater beforehand, you just have to follow the same steps but to add a special touch use some different yarn or a stitch pattern. Try out a colourwork technique or a seed stitch or any other textured stitches. A circular knitting needle or better an interchangeable needle set will have you covered with multiple needle sizes as well as cable lengths. Keep a handy pair of STNs and even DPNs as you may need them for different parts of the project.
8. Apron
If your dad loves to work the grill or is a king of the kitchen, a knitted or crocheted apron will serve him well. You can make one in his favourite colour with motifs that he enjoys. A chef’s hat to go with it will be all the more interesting.
9. Simple Slippers
You can easily knit a pair of the simple slippers or crochet a pair. Knitting one with single pointed needles (STNs) is an easy option as you make the pattern in pieces. For cords of the top, use a set of double pointed needles to knit an i-cord. With your crochet hook you can work on the project at one go, from the start to finish.
10. Tool Bag or Gym Bag
A bag for tools and gym equipment works as a wonderful gift. You can plan out the project with your yarn stash with any size of needles and hooks. Customize the bag according to his preferred measurements.
With these ideas and the KnitPro’s widest range of tools and accessories, get crafting.
Happy Father’s Day Gift Knitting!
