Gift Knits from the New Knitty

The latest issue of Knitty just dropped the other day, so I thought it might be fun to highlight some patterns you still have time to knit for gifts, if you’re still in the market for some.

The Skew Too fingerless mitts from Eva Landeo use a gorgeous, colorful yarn, a fun technique to make the knitting and the finished mitt more interesting, and they’re mostly worked in a flat piece of bias knitting, with cuffs and thumb added after, so they should be pretty quick to knit.

There’s also a mitten pattern, Instant Mash from Kate Atherley’s newest book (which is all about mittens). They’re worked in bulky yarn for quick progress, and mittens don’t have nearly the fiddly bits that gloves do, and actually keep your hands warmer.

Laura Chau’s Fallingbrook is a hat and mitten set with fun cable patterns that will make it feel like these knit fast because you’ll want to keep going to see how it all turns out. And the Tiina hat pattern from Katrin Kolnes is another one that will be fun to knit because of the great cable pattern, but it’s easy because it’s worked flat with no shaping. Just seam it up the side and cinch the top when you’re done!

Amy Palmer’s Ceibo is a kind of bolero/cropped sweater that’s a cardigan styled so it opens in the back, keeping more of your core warm. It would be great for all sorts of layering occasions this winter, and it comes in a variety of sizes.

Maybe my favorite is the tiny Kate’s Kitten pattern from Anna Hrachovec. It’s an itsy version of Kate by Jess Hutchinson, a sweet, pants-wearing kitty published by Knitty back in 2005. You’ve probably still got time to knit both of them for gifting. So cute!

[Photo: Anna Hrachovec via Knitty.]

Looking for more knitting patterns for knitted Cardigans? Check out these Knitting patterns we found on Etsy.

Specific to knitters, you can join our Knitting Patterns Only group to get, well, knitting patterns, ask questions and gain inspiration for what to knit next.

Looking for Yarn online? Check out Lionbrand our preferred source for purchasing yarn online.

There is something wonderfully nostalgic about a pair of handmade bed socks, isn’t there? They are practical, pretty, and just the sort of project that feels like it belongs beside a cup of tea, a good film, and a basket of wool that is pretending not to be overflowing.

This vintage Bed Socks knitting pattern is one of those sweet little patterns that still feels useful today. Originally from the Jaeger Hand-Knit Series No. 44, the design features a simple garter-stitch foot, a ribbed cuff, eyelet holes, a crochet chain tie, and little tassel-style pom-poms at the front. The original pattern even describes them as “a very acceptable present,” and honestly, I don’t think much has changed there.

These would make a lovely handmade gift for someone who is always cold, someone recovering or resting, or anyone who appreciates a bit of old-fashioned comfort. They would also be beautiful as a Mother’s Day gift, a winter birthday present, a Christmas stocking filler, or a “just because you deserve cozy feet” project.

The pattern itself is delightfully simple in construction. The socks are knitted flat, beginning at the lower edge, with the foot worked in garter stitch before moving into the ribbed upper section. The decorative eyelet row allows for a crochet chain cord to be threaded through, and the finishing tassels give the socks that charming vintage look. The top edge is finished with a row of double crochet, which adds a neat handmade touch.

The original measurements list the socks as approximately 10½ inches from the top to the lower edge of the heel, with a 9¾ inch foot length, and the pattern notes that the size can be adapted. As with many vintage knitting patterns, modern knitters will want to check gauge carefully and choose a soft yarn that feels comfortable against the skin. A cozy wool blend, soft acrylic, or washable yarn would all work depending on whether you are making these for everyday use or as a special gift.

I especially love that this pattern has that “giftable” quality without being a massive project. It is small enough to feel achievable, but still special enough that the finished pair looks thoughtful. And let’s be honest, handmade socks with pom-poms are always going to beat a last-minute candle from the supermarket.

The PDF version has been cleaned up and formatted for easier reading while keeping the original vintage design intact. It also includes a modern pink mockup image and the original vintage scan, so you get both the historical charm and a fresh idea of how the finished socks could look today.

If you enjoy vintage knitting patterns, cozy handmade gifts, or quick projects that feel useful rather than just decorative, this sweet little bed socks pattern is a lovely one to add to your collection.

You can find the Vintage Bed Socks Knitting Pattern PDF in the CraftGossip Etsy store.

For supplies, this is also a nice stash-friendly project. A soft yarn from Mary Maxim or Amazon would work well, and if you make pom-poms regularly, a small pom-pom maker is one of those inexpensive tools that saves a surprising amount of fiddling.

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