I have a long queue on Ravelry full of quick projects that I'm about to start for friends, so I thought I would share a few of my favorites. Handmade gifts are by far my favorite thing to give/receive, and I stand by the belief that people who don't like handmade presents are terrible and unworthy of my hard work and friendship in general. So! A list:
1. Mittens! I love everything by SpillyJane-- she wrote the pattern for last year's Piggy Mittens, which were ridiculously simple and crazy adorable. I don't know anyone who wouldn't be thrilled with a pair of handknit mittens.
(All images except the piggies via SpillyJane Knits)
Also, these cat mittens via Jorid's Pattern Shop are gorgeous!
2. Reading Accessories Also, these cat mittens via Jorid's Pattern Shop are gorgeous!
Okay, this is sort of an oddly-specific category, but if you have a friend who loves Doctor Who and has a kindle/nook/whatever, this is an awesome gift. I recently made this one for a friend away in Africa with the Peace Corps, and the little reminder of his favorite show was much appreciated! Although if you don't like Doctor Who (pfft) the basic pattern can easily be used with different colors.
3. Slippers
I have a sort of hate-hate relationship with actual socks. I've only made one pair, and they took forever and turned out pretty sad-looking. Slippers are another story! I made this pair last year for my mom-- she loved them and they only took an evening to finish.
Mary Jane Slippers (these are crochet!)
4. Baby Things/Adorable Toys!
If you're about my age, it probably seems like everyone either has a baby or is about to have one. This is GOOD NEWS for knitters! Baby knitting is quite possibly the best thing ever, because there are so many options and everything can be made relatively quickly. My favorite thing to make are hats and toys, although everyone should appreciate receiving a socktopus.
I just made this Cheery Scrap Cap for my nephew and it was super quick. The color changes are fun and it really does use up your scraps-- you can use small amounts of anything you have sitting around.
Obviously my love of the Socktopus is well documented, but I'll just leave this here because ADORABLE.
This is another super-specific pattern, but if you have friends who cloth diaper, wool soakers are a quick and easy gift that are worth doing a little research about. Wool has antibacterial properties and can absorb more than 1/3 of its weight before starting to feel damp, which makes them great for overnight.
Send me a link if you decide to make any of these!
wow every single piece is so cozy and adorable, esp the mittens :)
ReplyDeleteYou read my mind - I've been searching for mitten patterns to knit a pair for my mother-in-law! I'm also knitting some doilies for my sister and mother, because they like pretty things. Where can I find you on Ravelry? I'm northwestisbest
ReplyDeleteYou are a knitting MACHINE! Fabulous.
ReplyDeleteMy Favorite Fashion Things: Aren't they?! I'm so obsessed with mittens right now.
ReplyDeleteNW: YAY added you! I'm glad this helped you a little-- you should definitely check out SpillyJane's page if you haven't already, she seems to have a mitten pattern to match every possible person, haha.
Isabel: I SO AM. <3
I really need to try to make a Socktopus. They look so cute to make for my nieces and nephews.
ReplyDeleteThe TARDIS is very cute :D
ReplyDeleteThe swedish fish mitts are too cute! *sigh*
ReplyDeleteI just bought a pair of alpaca fingerless gloves from a pro-woman organization recently. So toasty and they even have little critters embroidered on them. But a woman can definitely have more that one pair of fingerware can't she? :)
Jennifer
http://makesomerumi.blogspot.com/