Knitting

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Giveaway: Northern Knits Gifts

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northern knits gifts giveaway

Ruth is the winner.

It’s time to start thinking about — and more than thinking, to actually start knitting — any knit gifts you want to make for the holidays, and this week’s giveaway can help get you started if you need some ideas for people on your list.

Northern Knits Gifts: Thoughtful Projects Inspired by Folk Traditions by Lucinda Guy has gifts for all sorts of occasions and recipients, including a lacy scarf, gorgeous Fair Isle socks, a sweet knit doll, an array of hats and mitts, a snuggly chunky baby blanket, slippers with classic snowflake designs, sweaters, shawls and more. Check out some of the projects here.

The 20 projects included in the book are mostly small and quick knitting but they include a lot of details that make them fun to knit and impressive to give. There are patterns for kids and women, and one project, a hat, for men, so most of your gift-giving bases are covered.

If you’d like a chance to win this book, leave a comment on this post before the end of the day Sunday, October 11. I’d love to know who you are knitting for this year. I always make a little something small for my daughter’s teachers, but I’m not sure what I will do this year because I usually knit a heart and she had one of her teachers last year so she already has one.

Thanks for visiting, commenting and sharing, and good luck!

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Comments

  1. My own daughter started daycare thus year and she LOVES going there. Her educators are fabulous and so nice. I have been thinking of doing pot holders originally as Christmas presents buy I have recently been in a fair isle kick knitting – wise. I’d love to make them something nice like that!

  2. I have been working on baby blankets and hats for my co worker who is expecting her first child.

  4. I knit socks for my family, and I try to learn a new skill each year. This book would be my challenge for next year!

  10. I knit for my granddaughter. Right now, I’m knitting dresses for her Barbie doll.

  16. This year, there are some people I know that could make use of some of these items. I know they would appreciate something handmade, as opposed to waiting to save up for a store-bought item. There are other items they could use now!! I’d love to surprise them, along with the kids. I also have a couple other people in mind I’d love to surprise.

  17. I’ve just finished a lacy cowl for my mom. Next on the list is a hat for my son, double layered for warmth.

  18. I’m knitting for my grandma, my mom, my step dad, cousins, my grandpa and maybe a little something for myself too. I love giving hand made knitting.

  23. Every year I knit a Christmas stocking for a women’s shelter. I belong to a support group that fills stockings with little gifts. I’m also knitting small gift card holders for members of my neighborhood craft group – for them to use in giving their gifts.

  25. I’m short a family of my own but my one best friend has two small boys that are seriously fun to craft for and my other bestie lives in a very cold climate and appreciates any protection I can come up with.

  27. I am knitting mittens for everyone this Christmas and single colored mittens won’t do-so colorful is the way to go. I love stranded knitting. Ursula

  28. I am a retired teacher and still treasure the handmade gifts and cards I received through the years. I am currently working on small gift items for my grandchildren and friends.

  29. I’ve stopped knitting gifts for people I know, because I don’t think they were really appreciated. Instead, I’m doing more charity knitting. This looks like an amazing book. Thanks for another great giveaway!

  30. I always knit things for family, so that’s who I’ll be doing it for again this year, including my future son-in-law!

  31. I’m not a seasoned knitter. My talents are limited to rectangles, so I knit scarves for all the family. I have graduated lately to knitting in the round. I recently am able to knit infinity scarves. Now I can knit circles and Rectangles!!!:)

  32. I made a few things for my daughter and step mom… That’s all I have planned this year. I’m still churning through my stash making nice things, some of which might find their way to someone else this holiday.

  33. I was hoping to knit socks for some of the women in my family this year, but there has been many pregnancy announcements lately so I will be making baby blankets instead!

  36. I’m knitting a vest for my husband. It was supposed to be a simple stockinette v-neck, but it looks like I won’t have enough yarn for only one color. Time to get creative…

Have you read?

Totoro Knitting Patterns

We’re a big Studio Ghibli household, and while they are sometimes very protective of their copyrights (as evidenced by the number of patterns on Ravelry that were removed from the service when it received a takedown notice back in 2021), there are still a fair number of Totoro knitting patterns (as well as other designs I’m sure we’ll get to someday). Let’s check them out!

Yaya Labs has a cute plush Totoro that looks like it might stand up on its own. The pattern is available on LoveCrafts, and it calls for DK or light worsted weight yarn in four colors. The pattern is considered advanced but it does include a photo tutorial. It stands 10.6 inches or 27 cm tall.

A similar pattern can be found a Shino Craft, which doesn’t have the leaf hat but does include little hands, and the legs aren’t as separate from the body. This one calls for sport weight yarn and is knit flat on two needles. 

All Made Here has a Totoro pouch that is super cute and looks pretty easy to knit. It measures 14 by 18 cm and is rated for advanced beginners. You can get the pattern when you subscribe to updates or follow the designer on Instagram. 

Stitch Totoro on a sweater with the Totorogenseren sweater from Anna-Sofia Vintersol. This free download on Ravelry uses worsted/aran weight yarn in two or three colors. The pattern comes in nine sizes, with a chest measurement ranging from 77 to 149 cm. 

The Forest Spirit Fair Isle Jumper from Kraft with Kindrex features a row of Totoros on the circular yoke, along with other little colorwork designs. The design includes three sizes, with chest measurements ranging from 91 to 101 cm. It calls for 4 ply (that’s fingering/sock weight in other parts of the world). 

Or you can stitch Totoro as part of a project with more Ghibli characters, as on the Magical Anime Knit Sweater (a longtime bucket list item for me) from The Bearded Sewist. This on has a circular yoke and rows of different characters including Totoro, Ponyo, soot sprites, Calcifer and more. The pattern comes in four sizes and is rated intermediate/advanced. It calls for DK weight yarn and you can grab a copy on Ravelry. 

Or try Katharina Kuntz’s Anime Scarf, also on Ravelry. This one is a double knit scarf worked in fingering weight yarn in two colors, with allover designs from Studio Ghibli movies. She started by knitting the movies in chronological order but gave that up after she realized all her favorites would be in the middle and therefore not visible when worn. You can probably rearrange the motifs further somewhat if you want to showcase your favorites.