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.]

Not too long ago I did a test knit for another designer that was for a cabled cardigan. It’s really cozy and nice but it just about broke me in a ton of different ways. I couldn’t get gauge, which I suppose is my own problem, but mainly I was somehow both bored and forced to pay attention at the same time.

Because it used the same cable all over, I always had to know what row I was on, but nine out of ten of those rows, nothing in particular was going on. So I couldn’t stop paying attention, but what I needed to attend to was boring.

It may have ruined me for knitting cabled sweaters, but maybe I just need something that’s more engaging. Like this Modern Aran Cardigan pattern from Lion Brand Yarn.

This is a reworking of an old pattern from their archives, and you can tell that form the classic look of the cables and the oversized feel (nothing cropped about this one!). It has allover cables, but like a classic Aran sweater it’s not the same cable, so you’ll have to pay attention to what row you’re on and what cable turns happen for which cables on that row.

Because of this, it’s considered an intermediate knitting pattern, but if you’re comfortable working from multiple charts at once it shouldn’t be a problem for you. There are three different charts and seven different cable moves.

Also because the pattern is so big and boxy there are only two sizes available, with a finished chest measurement of either 49 or 63 inches (that’s 124.5 or 160 cm). It’s up to you to decide how much ease you would like and whether that will work for your body.

The pattern uses worsted weight yarn (and calls for another classic, Lion Brand Fisherman’s Wool). It calls for six buttons and includes pockets to make it extra cozy.

This one looks like a great winter project to make and to wear if you’re up for a bit of a challenge. You can grab the free pattern or buy a kit with the yarn needed direct from Lion Brand Yarn.

[Photo: Lion Brand Yarn]

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