Knit Some Simple Holiday Gift Card Holders

Over at Craftown they’re already thinking about Christmas (and I heard yesterday some stores are already selling Christmas stuff), so if you’re ready to start your holiday crafting you might want to take a look at these knit gift card holders from Melanie Smith, which are so cute you could hang them on the tree until it’s time to open them.

Of course, if you’re thinking this far ahead you probably aren’t buying anyone gift cards, but file this one away for your last-minute shopping. Or knit the holders now knowing your gift will look cuter than just a gift card when the time comes.

You could also use the basic envelope or tube shape to jazz up a gift card any time of year, just knit in different colors.

Are you thinking about Christmas already?

[Photo via Craftown.]

I am a big fan of gift cards, I know lots of people find them impersonal but being able to purchase what YOU need or what YOU want is far more logical than receiving random gifts and stocking fillers that you may not use. Especially with all these Netflix programs telling us to downsize, declutter and or course Konmarie everything.

The only disappointing thing with gift cards is not being able to shop for items, if you are like me and enjoying shopping for special gifts then maybe consider shopping for smaller stocking fillers or fun ways to wrap or gift the gift cards. You can present or gift a gift card in a fun and special way too.

One year I added the gift cards to some pretty wide mouthed water bottles that have been filled with little trinkets. We also featured this Giftcard Christmas tree idea on the blog here.

Next Pattern:

Some knitters have trouble coming up with projects they can both knit and wear when it’s warm outside. Especially if you’re not ready for garments (thought tank tops and summer tops are great first garment projects!) it might seem like there’s nothing to do when it’s hot outside.

One way to remedy this situation is by knitting headbands. Headbands are great any time of year to keep hair out of your face and make you look a little more pulled together without any effort. Wider headbands double as ear warmers when it gets colder, but skinnier ones are great throughout the year.

A couple of great examples are from designer Elly Donner, who has a set of headband knitting patterns on Ravelry you can buy individually or as an ebook. Homebody, shown here, is worked in garter stitch (the ties are crocheted but you could also use I-cord), while Slipstream uses slipped stitches and garter ridges, and Sounds of Spring has little cables. The patterns use DK weight yarn and are a great way to use a little leftover yarn from another project.

I also recently came across the lovely Plush Braided Headband by Yevgeniya Li. A free pattern on Ravelry, this wider design is covered in lush cables for a sleek and fancy look. It uses worsted weight yarn and you can customize the length for a perfect fit.

Celeste Knitwear’s Spikelet is a simple twisted headband with columns of eyelet lace to keep it from being too heavy. It’s worked flat and sewn together to make the twist, and uses DK weight yarn. It has three sizes available.

This skinny lace headband from Lusi Knits is another cute choice. It calls for fine weight cotton yarn, but you could use heavier yarn if you have it on hand to make a wider headband (or use any fine yarn you have available). It uses ties to customize the fit.

And if you want to go super basic but still really cute, try the easy ring headband from Lulu Pattern. The sample is knit pretty wide, but you could make a narrower version if you want, and the little ring turns it from a plain loop into a bow with very little extra work. It calls for worsted weight yarn but you could also use whatever weight you like for this one to change up the look and size.

Next Pattern:

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