Most of my husband's family lives in sunny, warm Florida. It's a great place to escape to for Christmas, but it has one big drawback: none of them really need much in the way of warm knitted gear! In an earlier article, I outlined a few options for what to make for children in this situation, but in many families, the adults exchange gifts as well, so here are some suggestions for what to make for your grownup friends and relations, whether they live in the tropics, or just already have five hats and don't need another this year.
- Shopping bags -- These days, everyone is trying to live greener. You can help the people on your holiday list be kinder to the environment by whipping up a mesh shopping bag! These bags are often made on big needles (so they're quick) and in cotton, linen, or other plant fibers, so they make a great summer project.
- Hand or dish towels -- Nothing quite beats a handmade dishtowel for getting dishes really dry, or the soft touch of a homemade hand towel. These projects offer a blank canvas to personalize to your heart's content. Options range from the goofy to the very elegant, and there's everything in between. Towels are a great gift because they get used every day, and, if they wear out, you can make another one for next year, knowing that your gift has been used and loved.
- Wash cloths --Washcloths, like hand and dish towels, are a great palette for anything you want to do -- try a new stitch! If it's not your cup of tea, that's ok! It's not something you have to knit hundreds of rows of. If you want to try something new, or have been intimidated by lace, colorwork, cables, or really anything else, knitting a washcloth is the perfect opportunity to dive in and try it out. Pair washcloths with a nice soap, and a hand-knit gift bag, and you're good to go!
- Bookmarks -- Bookmarks are great for the bookworm in your life. Like the previous two projects, you can do pretty much anything, and they're small, so you don't have to have gotten a head start on your gift knitting. Pair it with a book you think the recipient will love, and it's sure to be a hit.
- Knits for the table: Does the person you're knitting for love to entertain? Place mats are a lovely way to add a personal touch to a holiday meal! Do place mats sound like too much? Try a trivet, which can be a great way to use up scrap yarn.
- Felted bowls -- Another great way to use up smaller bits of yarn, bowls are great to have to put little decorations in, throw your keys in by the door, and just to be decorations themselves. This type of project is also a great way to try out felting.
- Christmas decorations -- If Christmas is the holiday you're knitting for, there are lots of good options. If you're looking for a quick knit, ornaments -- either flat or three-dimensional, are a good option. Another project, if you really want to sink your teeth into some 3-D knitting is to make a nativity set. Both ornaments and nativity sets will be brought out year after year to be enjoyed, and may become heirlooms the recipient will treasure.
This just scratches the surface of the options, but I hope this gives you the confidence to go forth and knit for the holidays, or any other occasion, even if your chosen recipient won't need to be bundled up in the winter.
Mira Whiting - Mira Whiting is a knitter and mom living in the Boston area. She blogs about knitting at Mira's Knits and motherhood at Mamas and Milk.
Join the Conversation