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Introducing 30(ish) Days of Gift Knitting

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30(ish)days of gift knittingNow that Thanksgiving is behind us, it’s time to really start thinking about the holidays, and I, for one, am completely unprepared.

I always decide at the last minute (aka, right about now) that I want to knit a bunch of things for holiday gifting, but I also want to knit a few things for myself, so I know that I need patterns that are quick, easy, cute and giftable.

You probably do, too, right?

So here we go. 30(ish) days of gift knitting starts now. I know there aren’t really 30 days left, but that’s OK.

Some days there will be many pattern options on a theme, some days there will be just one. Some will be patterns I designed, some I’ve knit but didn’t design, some I just like the look of and might be knitting in the future.

Each one should be more than doable in the time left before the holidays (though that doesn’t mean you can knit all of them, obviously).

At the end of the season I hope to gather them all into one massive gift-knitting linkfest that will live on to serve us for years to come.

Looking for more Thanksgiving patterns check these out on Etsy. super bulky socks gift knitting

So, to begin. Speaking of things I want to knit for myself, I give you these Super Bulky Socks (you might call them slippers, whatever, they’re knit like socks) from Liat at KnitFreedom. They’re a free pattern when you sign up for her newsletter.

You can work them toe up or top down and they use less than 100 yards of super bulky yarn so they’re quick and easy on the wallet, too.

I’m definitely making some for myself.

And maybe for someone else, too.

Do you have a favorite go-to holiday or otherwise gift-knitting pattern? I’d love to hear about it and potentially add it to these posts.

[Photo via KnitFreedom.]

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Free Knitted Crown Pattern for Kids and Adults: A Sweet Handmade Dress-Up Idea

There’s something wonderfully charming about a knitted crown. It’s playful, useful for the dress-up basket, and just the sort of small project that gives a leftover ball of yarn a proper purpose. Much better than letting it roll around the cupboard for another three years.

This free knitted crown pattern for kids and adults combines a simple garter-stitch band with shaped triangular points. The mustard-gold colour gives it that storybook crown look, although pink, purple or woodland green would be equally lovely.

A Manageable Next Step for Beginner Knitters

The construction is the appealing part of this design. Everything is knitted flat, so you won’t need double-pointed needles or experience joining stitches in the round.

You knit the band first, then work each crown point separately over a group of 12 stitches. Paired decreases gradually narrow each triangle, giving you a small, repeatable section to concentrate on.

I’d describe this as a confident beginner knitting project. You’ll need to know how to knit, work two types of decreases, hold unused stitches and sew a simple seam. There are several yarn tails to weave in, so a little patience with finishing will help.

Three Sizes With Room to Personalise

The pattern includes three sizes, with seven, eight or nine crown points. Choose by the wearer’s head measurement rather than age, and check your gauge carefully. Yarn stretch will make a noticeable difference to the fit.

For birthdays, an embroidered initial would be a sweet finishing touch. Contrasting yarn diamonds could suggest little jewels without adding hard embellishments.

What to Know Before Casting On

This is a soft knitted crown, so expect gentle points rather than a rigid costume accessory. A springy wool or wool-blend yarn should give the shaping more support than a very drapey yarn.

The stitch calculations have been checked, but the design has not yet been sample-knitted. The accompanying image is an illustrative mockup, so the finished texture and proportions may vary with your yarn and tension.

For a small handmade birthday accessory or a cheerful addition to the dress-up box, this is an appealing idea. And if an adult needs a matching crown for supervising the royal household, the larger size has that covered too.