A Knitter's Holiday Gift Guide 2021

You may be scratching your head seeing the words “Holiday Gift Guide” pop up in your feed in early October and thinking to yourself “Already? Can’t we at least get through Halloween?” We get it; it feels a bit early to start queuing up Christmas music (though we somewhat shamefully admit that we did play some in the shop while we knitted together recently on our Fuzzy Goat Birthday Sweater KAL). 

Knitters know, though, that homemade gifts take time. And as knitters, we are more likely than not planning to give at least a few handmade presents, which means that now is really not too early to start on your gifted projects. 

Add in the very real issue of pandemic-related production shortages that we’re all expecting during November and December this year, plus slower shipping times, and suddenly it starts to feel like we really do all need to get going on our holiday shopping and making.

As always, we’re here to help! We thought we’d drop our Holiday Gift Guide now so you can start working on your handmade presents for the knit-worthy people in your life - or maybe at least start mulling it over!

Keep It Small

Not every hand knitted gift has to be a large project like a sweater. We highly recommend giving something meaningful but small - that way you’re also less likely to feel like you’re scrambling to finish at the last minute!

Bulky yarn

Bulky yarn makes for the best quick projects!

The Yarn:

• KnitCollage Daisy Chain yarn makes a unique, textural hat that we love! And the sparkles throughout feel nice and festive!
• Manos del Uruguay Franca yarn is so soft and we especially adore the red and white colorway “Post Box” for Christmas-y cowls or hats.
• Sugar Bush Chill is actually Super Bulky weight, which makes it move even faster.
• Urth Koozoo yarn for self-striping fun!

Bulky Pattern Ideas:

• Darn Knit Rasta Hat by Aimee Pelletier (free on Rav!)
• Gaptastic Cowl by Jen Geigley (also free!)
• Vespertine Cowl by Carina Spencer (it has bobbles!!!)
• Most Comfortable by Lena Mattisson (a cabled headband)
• The Vermonter hat by Abi Gregorio (also can be done in a DK yarn like this self-striping Feederbrook Farms Entropy DK)
• Favorite Ribbed Cap by Laurie Kimmelstiel (a classic!)

Fun socks

Socks feel like the most Christmas-y handknit to gift as they’re so cozy, but you can also have a LOT of fun with your choice of yarn.

The Yarn: 

• Copper Corgi Glitzy screams holiday to us - Madelyn is making herself a pair of Christmas socks with the color “Run Forest Run.” 
• Copper Corgi Savannah Sock for fingering weight socks
• Urth Uneek Sock Kits for self-striping socks (and there is a red and green one by the way!)
• Opal Sock Yarn for fingering weight socks
• Blue Sky Fibers Skyland for DK socks
• KnitWise Fibers, specifically the red and green Floofy DK colorway "Holly Jolly"

Patterns: 

• Madelyn is using the Rose City Rollers pattern by Mara Catherine Bryner to make her first ever socks (which means this one is very beginner friendly!)
• Classic Sock by Urth is a free fingering weight pattern!
• For DK yarn, we like Simple Toe-Up Socks by Churchmouse Yarns

Bonus: You could make these tiny Little Sock Ornaments by Tin Can Knits with any DK yarn you like! SO cute!

Gnome Kits

Using three different colored mini skeins, Imagined Lanscapes is doing a KAL right now to make a little knitted gnome! The pattern is called All Work, Gnome Play and we have lots of options in stock for minis right now!

The Yarn:

• We have Gnome Kits already made up! Cadence is making one for the shop in Color 6, which yes, is red and green!
• Mix and match to make your own color scheme with these mini sets from Botanical Yarns and save the leftover minis for other projects
• Pick out three colors you like of these Emma’s Yarn Practically Perfect Smalls

Baby blankets

Yes, baby blankets are technically small projects, but they’re also one of the most meaningful if you’re looking to gift to a new or expecting parent!

The Yarn:

• Baby Gradient Kits are made with bamboo and cotton and come in lots of colors, not just pink and blue!
• Appalachian Cotton makes these really art-deco looking Boho Baby Blanket Kits
  

Bonus: Two other ideas for new or expecting parents include our Appalachian Cotton Baby Bear Cardigan Kits OR you can make them the cutest little baby sweater using Opal Sock Yarn and the Baby Surprise Jacket Pattern.

For the Gift-Worthy, But Not the Knit-Worthy

Listen, not everyone in your life has earned (or needs) a hand knitted gift. That doesn’t mean that they don’t still deserve a thoughtful, beautiful present. Here are some ideas for what to give when you feel the person to be gift-worthy, but not necessarily knit-worthy.

These are also great gift ideas for fellow knitters in your life, who maybe have a million handknits of their own, but still deserve a treat - it doesn’t even have to be for the holidays!

• Alpaca Pashmina-style Wraps - for when you don’t have time to knit someone an entire scarf/wrap! Perfect for mothers and grandmothers too!
• Erin Flett bags are great for holding notions or makeup or even pens and pencils!
• All-wool Dryer Balls - a great little eco-friendly stocking stuffer 
• There are also all-wool Cat or Dog toys
• These felted Nativity Sets (not in stock til November but pre-orders are open now!) 
• Felting Kits and Embroidery Kits for the crafty people in your life!
• Potholder Looms are amazing for if you want to get the children in your life started on crafting early! 
• Another child-friendly gift we love are our Alpaca Bears, though honestly, these are great for adults too. 
• Finally, you can’t go wrong with any of our bags - everyone could always use another bag!

We hope this gets the wheels turning for you when considering your holiday making!

Happily,

The Fuzzy Goat Crew!