It's Never Too Early to Start: Knitting Gifts for Christmas
Author: Ewe-Nice Date Posted:25 July 2024
I know it might seem early to mention the "C" word, but Christmas is only 22 weeks away! For me, that translates to five pairs of socks or seven beanies!
The time taken in planning and creating a handmade gift makes it a true act of love. Beanies, socks, small shawls, and fingerless mitts are my personal go-to gifts. These projects generally use just a skein or two of yarn, so I can really pick yarn in colours and textures I know the recipient will love! It's also a great excuse to buy that stunning skein of yarn. Making a garment is also an option, with small summer tanks and tees or even a jumper such as the Ranunculus or Love Note, both of which are made on large needles and use two to three skeins for most sizes (the same as a shawl).
Tips for Successful Gift Knitting
1. Set Realistic Goals!
The process of knitting or making is meant to be fun! If, like me, it takes a month to make a pair of hand-knit socks, you can only make five pairs before Christmas. I also don't personally want to just be making socks for the rest of the year, so realistically, I am only going to make two to three pairs. I am lucky enough to have a sock knitting machine, so I will probably make more with that, but even then, it takes a weekend to make heels and toes on my sock tubes! For beanies or mittens, I take about a fortnight, and a tee is going to take me six weeks. So, 22 weeks is only two beanies, a pair of mitts, two pairs of socks, and a tee—and that is assuming I only knit gifts.
Realistically, I am aiming for a beanie, a pair of mitts, some machine-cranked socks, and maybe a tee, but I think that will have to be a birthday gift next year!
2. Only Knit for the Knitworthy!
Many hours go into making a gift, so to put in those hours when it's not appreciated can be a relationship breaker! Just look at the sweater curse legend! I also recommend giving the ball band with the finished project or a little card with care instructions—not everyone, even the knitworthy, knows how to wash hand-knits!
3. Ribbing is your friend!
When it comes to socks, they need to have negative ease (be a tight fit) to stay in place all day. For this reason, it's important to know the shoe size of your recipient. Another great tip I learned is to knit a ribbed sock. This ribbing hugs the foot more than a plain knit, making the margins for error much greater. So, maybe try knitting a vanilla sock with 1x1 ribbing for the cuff and then switching to a 3x1 for the leg. This same tip also applies for a beanie or mittens-ribbing really does help make things fit when you are unsure of the size!
4. You don't have to gift knit!
Not into gift knitting? No problem! Many people prefer knitting for themselves, and dedicating some time to this can be a wonderful self-care ritual. It's incredibly therapeutic and satisfying to create something special just for you to enjoy and cherish. It is also Ok to say no when someone asks you to make something!
Knitting Christmas gifts is a labor of love, and the joy it brings to both the giver and the receiver is immeasurable. So, start planning your projects, pick out your yarn, and enjoy the process of creating something special for your loved ones this holiday season. Happy knitting!