Knitting Projects to Make Now for Gifting Later

It is unbelievable to me that summer is almost over, but as soon as school starts, thinking about the holidays begins.

At least that’s the way it should be if you’re a knitter (or any other type of crafter, I suppose) who intends to make and gift anything for the holidays.

Because as much as we all have good intentions, it’s best to back those intentions up by starting early.

But don’t get cocky just because you’re starting your holiday knitting in August. It’s still a great plan to choose small, easy-to-complete projects, because things happen. And the people you’re gifting will probably be just as grateful for a knit hat as they would a knit sweater.

Maybe even more so.

To get you started, check out this list of projects from Lion Brand Yarn geared toward knitters and crocheters who are planners. You’ll find hats, mittens, scarves and cowls, all of which have a feminine look but a couple of which could be stitched up for guys as well. For instance, the Modern Garter Knit Hat, pictured above.

Are you thinking holiday knitting already? I’d love to know what your plans are!

[Photo: Lion Brand Yarn.]

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Not too long ago I was seeing a crochet pattern for a glasses holder shaped like a bear all over the Internet. It was super cute, and also useful as a place to put your glasses on your bedside table instead of just throwing them somewhere random.

This project stewed in my brain for a little while and I decided I needed to make a knit version, but I didn’t want to make a bear. If you know anything about me you might know that I’m a cat person, so of course my version had to be a cat.

The base is just a basic little basic worked from the center out to the desired size, then up the sides as long as you want them. Knit some ears and add embellishments to make it whatever kind of animal you want.

The way I figured out to work the base from the center out was to use a crochet cast on, which gives you an easier way to pick up stitches from the back of the cast on than if you worked a more traditional cast on for a knitting project. It’s kind of fun to do things in a different way from time to time.

This little project is adorable if I do say so myself, and even as a plain little basket not made into an animal it’s a cute way to keep your glasses or other little things in one place. I’m tempted to make one for my desk to hold pens or even little little scissors and sewing needles that are always on my desk but somehow always seem to get lost on my desk.

If you need a little holder for your glasses on your table, check out the pattern at Our Daily Craft.

[Photo: Our Daily Craft]

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