Five Gifts for Knitters

I know that the lovely Stephanie Pearl-McPhee (AKA the Yarn Harlot) has already done a gift guide, but this idea has been percolating in my brain for about a month, and well, I'm going to do my version.  Though, if you want to see hers, click here. 

While I agree with many of her ideas (especially the yarn swift... I find that a child or the back of a chair works in a pinch), I wanted to do something that was easy and things that wouldn't frighten a non-knitter.  Let's face it, going into a LYS can be intimidating! Especially a large one!  So this focuses on those little items that can be found at non-scary stores that anyone can go into.

Shea Set from L'Occitane

Number One:  Lotion
Sure, there are a bazillion types of lotions out there.  When working with cotton or wool, and especially around the holiday season, our hands get dry.  Really, uncomfortably, skin cracking dry.  I have found that the Shea Butter hand cream from L'Occitane, well, it rocks.  Very lightly scented, and it comes in several sizes and gift sets.  I prefer the "original scent" but there are several others as well.


Number Two: Books
A common complaint among knit designers is that everyone wants patterns for free.  While buying a book of knitting patterns can be tricky, as in "But, I don't know which ones they already have!"  Don't worry.  Really.  Hold on to the gift receipt.  They'll be more impressed that you actually bought a pattern book. 

Some really good ones that I like:
-Vintage Modern Knits
- Knit. Sock. Love.
- Modern Top Down Knitting
- Teeny Tiny Mochi Mochi

Number Three: Yarn

Knitted Wit's Bulkan in "Cedar"

If your gift recipient is a knitting newbie, then they would probably be happy with a chunk of yarn from a craft store.  If not, then, well, you're going to have to go a little bit bigger.  Now, you can venture into the world of the local yarn store... most of the help at any LYS is more than happy to help.  Especially if you have no idea what you are doing.  Names to keep in mind: A Verb for Keeping Warm, Malabrigo, and Madelinetosh.  These are great names and some really great yarns.  You will pay for them.  They are not cheap.  If you are okay with buying things online, well, then things get a bit more tricky.  Etsy is a great resource for indie dyers, and there are many... a few names to look for:  Dyeabolical Yarn, Knitted Wit, Yarn Pirate, some shops are bigger than others, and in the interest of full disclosure - I'm twitter pals with these shop owners, and I like to help promo indie dyers and makers whenever possible. 

If you are okay with shopping online and are looking for a lot of bang for your buck, head over to Knitpicks.com and pick out some of their favorite colors.  Don't necessarily worry about weight... knitters can find a pattern to go with just about anything.  :) 

Number Four: Soap

Eucalan's Grapefruit No-Rinse wash

Huh?  Soap?  How on earth does this relate?  Welp, most knitters tend to hand wash hand knits.  Makes sense, right?  When you spend hours upon hours working on a project, somehow, tossing it in the washing machine doesn't exactly work!  While you can in fact, use the machine for a variation on hand washing, you really shouldn't use regular detergent.  It can be damaging.  So, what to do?  I really like Eucalan.  (Although others I know prefer Soak)  Eucalan comes in several different scents, as well as unscented, and I am partial to the grapefruit.  It also have several different sized bottles, and one is the perfect stocking stuffer size.  You can get this at a LYS or also some little indie children's boutiques carry it as well. 

Number Five: Lantern Moon

Lantern Moon's Interchangeable Rosewood set

What the heck is a Lantern Moon?  They are a company that imports some pretty rad crafting items.  Everything from needle rolls in really cool fabrics, to baskets, to needles.  I know several knitters who have their interchangeable circular needle set on their Christmas lists.  You can find their products a good LYS, or head over to their site for more info.

I hope I've given some options that aren't too overwhelming and can fit into various budgets.  Gift cards to a craft store aren't a bad idea either... everyone always needs cotton for washcloths! :)  Another really easy idea is to get a gift certificate for a class at a local yarn shop, or find out when their "Knit night" is and make arrangements for your giftee to be able to go - line up a sitter, leave work early, etc... and snag a cool new bag for them to show off while they are there!

A Seemingly Endless Process

Okay, not necessarily endless... I just get impatient easily.  My latest project is something actually for me.  I went into Knit Purl last weekend thinking I would get a nice, neutral charcoal for this particular project... I'm thinking an all around sweater for khakis, jeans, black pants, grey pants, etc.  What did I walk out with?

Image via Malabrigoyarn.com

This lovely worsted weight, kettle dyed Malabrigo yarn.  It's beautiful, with shades of greys and purples and blacks... not what I went in for, but it was SO pretty in the twisty ball, and then as it was wound I could see all of the color variations...

In any event, the sweater pattern that I am working is from LionBrand.com and it is their "Radiant Sweater."  I like this particular pattern because I'm rather small chested, and boat neck sweaters seem to do better on me, as they bring the eye to my face as opposed to the decollete...

Currently, after working on this for three days, I have both sleeves and a little less than half of the body done.  As much as I like the pattern and the yarn, the endless rounds of stockinette are killing me.  I'm trying really hard to stay focused, but sheesh!! 

OH!  And here's an image of the actual sweater... with that, I'm back to the rounds... and some Castle reruns.  I love Nathan Fillion. :)

Another Free Coffee Wrap Pattern

I love making these little coffee holders... especially in different sizes and varieties.  My first ones were very simple, and as I've grown in skill, they've become more complex.  I still love my basic coffee wraps that you can find a little farther down on the page, but I've developed several others, the following being one of them!

These work up super quickly and are great for teacher gifts or perfect for that last minute present - think a cute little mug from Ikea, wrap it in a little holder and toss in a gift card or a few packages of the new Starbucks Via instant coffee.

The pattern is simple and is as follows:

You Will Need:
SZ 11 (US) needles
Worsted Weight - Chunky Weight yarn (Either will work just fine)
Cable needle
Tapestry/Yarn needle
Harry Potter Soundtrack (Okay, this item is optional... but certainly preferred)

Explanation of Stitch:
C4F:  Slip 2 stitches onto cable needle, let hang in front of work, knit next 2 stitches, then knit 2 off of the cable needle, proceed with rest of row.
Pattern:

CO 14 stitches
R1: P1, K2, P2, K4, P2, K2, P1
R2: K1, P2, K2, P4, K2, P2, K1
Continue until R7
R7: P1, K2, P2, C4F, P2, K2, P1

Repeat these stitches until wrap is nearly desired length - after last R7, continue R1 and R2 repeats until R6.  At end of this R6, Knit every stitch for the next two rows.  COff/BOff using your preferred method - I really like the sewn cast off, which you can find here, at Knitting Daily.

I can't crochet.  I keep meaning to learn, but until then, I stitch a button on the COn edge. Then I take either a piece of yarn or ribbon, make a circle and make a knot through the BOff edge.  See pictures below.  I've found that this works just as well, and looks really cute if you use a contrasting color to the yarn.

Step One: Slip your circle through the work

Step 2:  Slip the bottom of the loop up through the top part of the loop

Step 3:  Pull tight, and you're done!  Very simple and easy.  If choosing to use two buttons, just space loops out accordingly along the bound off edge!