25+ Thoughtful Gift Ideas for Knitters

Looking for a gift for a knitter....here's some ideas!  If you are looking for a gift idea for a birthday, Mother's Day...or just a little treat for yourself...here's a list of over 25 thoughtful gifts for knitters.

I've been keeping a running list of ideas for knitting related gifts for a long time.  Scraps of paper with notes about items I've admired are tucked between other papers on my desk, my 'Gifts for Knitters' Pinterest board has accumulated many ideas, and I've taken more than a few screenshots of interesting gift ideas on Instagram ....now I'm finally merging those lists and picking my favorite gift ideas to include in this blog post!

25+ Thoughtful Gift Ideas for Knitters

These are my favorite gifts for knitters (narrowed down from a much longer list) that I have either purchased or admired over the last couple of years.

I've included approximate prices currently listed for the items.  These are meant to give you an idea but, of course, the price (and availability of items) could change!  All links are to a website or Etsy shop that sells the item.  

I do not have a connection to any of the businesses listed in this post. All photos were taken by me...unless specified.

Bags - Knitters Love Project Bags!

There are many knitting project bags available...these are my favorites!

Fringe Supply Company 'Field Bag' - Fringe Supply Company's sturdy canvas bags are quite popular!  Beautiful, classic, functional design. (about $65)  This bag is on my wish list!

'Knitting Necessities' Tote Bag by Fringe Supply Company - cute, humorous screen printed tote bag at an affordable gift-giving price. (about $20)

'Maker Essentials' Notions Bag by Ozetta on Etsy - natural canvas little notions bag with cute 'makers essentials' screen printed design. (about $10)

Books

Look for any of these books at your local yarn shop or book store.  (Links provided for Amazon.)

Stories about knitting...

The Yarn Harlot: Secret Life of a Knitter by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee - the first in a series of books filled with humorous and poignant essays about her love of knitting and yarn.  I've enjoyed all of her books! (about $15)

Knitlandia: A Knitter Sees the World by Clara Parkes - a book of essays reflecting on memorable journeys and experiences with knitters around the world.  I love the cover art!  (about $15)

'Knitlandia' by Clara Parkes

Knitting Ephemera: A Compendium of Articles, Useful and Otherwise, for the Edification and Amusement of the Handknitter by Carol J. Sulcoski - don't let the long title overwhelm you!  This little book is packed with tidbits and fun-facts about knitting. (about $15)

'Knitting Ephemera' by Carol J. Sulcoski

Great reference books...

The Knitter's Book of Knowledge: A Complete Guide to Essential Knitting Techniques by Debbie Bliss - this is a big book packed with just about everything you need to know about how to knit...casting on, knit and purl, cable knitting, casting off, advanced knitting techniques, and more.  It's a valuable reference book for the beginning or somewhat experienced knitter. (about $25 - $30)

The Knitter's Book of Knowledge by Debbie Bliss

Vogue Knitting The Ultimate Knitting Book: Completely Revised and Updated  The essential knitting reference book was updated in 2018 to include even more about knitting.  "From beginners needing to learn the very basics to seasoned knitters wanting a refresher on a complex technique, every knitter will cherish this guide for years to come."  I own the previous edition...this book really is the ultimate book about knitting! (about $35 - $40)

Mastering Color Knitting: Simple Instructions for Stranded, Intarsia and Double Knitting by Melissa Leapman - the is a great 'how to' book for any knitter who wants to learn all they can about using multiple colors of yarn in their knitting projects.  I own this book...it's a great resource! (about $20)

'Mastering Color Knitting' by Melissa Leapman

Magazines

Vogue Knitting - it's the knitting magazine that's been around forever!

Making Magazine - this lovely publication has two issues each year.  The high quality magazine includes beautiful patterns for a variety of crafts (mostly knitting) all wrapped up in an inspiring, keep for the long-term, high quality book-like magazine. (2 issues per year about $50)  You can also purchase back issues on their website. (about $25 each)

Making Magazine - two issues per year - it's lovely!

Jewelry

Wood Knit Stitches Earrings by Katrinkles - these earrings are unique and beautiful! (about $15)

Sheep Earrings by One Happy Leaf on Etsy - a cute little sheep silhouette is laser cut from honey brown bamboo wood. Made in Australia. (under $20)

"Knit" and "Purl" hand stamped silver earrings from sparklegarden on Etsy - silver earrings with 'knit' stamped on one earring and 'purl' stamped on the other. So cute! (about $25)

"Knit" silver earrings by rosetwistllc on Etsy.  Check out rosetwistllc's shop for other knitting and yarn themed jewelry, hair barrettes, shawl pins, etc.  (about $20 - $40)  Photo below provided by Rosetwistllc. 

"Knit" silver earrings by Rosetwistllc on Etsy

Keep Calm and Carry Yarn pendant necklace from ThePendantEmporium on Etsy. (about $10)


Knitting Tools: Notions, Scissors, Yarn Bowls, etc.

Beautiful Wood Yarn Bowl by IdeasInWood on Etsy - these 'bowls' are really wooden boxes that look absolutely stunning.  (around $75+)

'Knitters Rule' Wood Gauge Tool by Katrinkles on Etsy - such a pretty and functional gauge tool!  I love all of her pretty bamboo buttons, too!  (about $10)

Sheep Scissors - little project scissors for clipping yarn from Barrett Wool Co. (about $11)

For the Knitter's Home

"Knitted" Notions Dish or a "Knitted" Coffee Mug handmade by CreativeWithClay on Etsy - the texture of knitting stitches in clay!  ($28 - $50)

"Knitter's Eye Chart" Poster Art by ILiveOnAFarm on Etsy - this 12" x 18" art poster is a creative twist on the traditional eye chart - designed using knitting terms and abbreviations. (about $25)

Just for Fun! Pins, Stickers & T-shirts:

"Knitrovert" Enamel Pin from MakersMerch on Etsy - it's a little blue flag pin for all of us who are introverted knitters....or knitroverts! These are brand new as of April 2018...I just received mine in the mail! (under $10)

'Knitrovert' Flag Pin - Gift for Knitters

Knitting Sheep Enamel Pin from Knit Picks - a cute little sheep knitting! (under $10)

"Knit Girl" Vinyl Car Decal by AbbysVinylWallArt on Etsy.  Whimsical and cute design!  If you love another crafts...check out her other designs in her shop. (under $10)

"Love to Knit" t-shirt from DesignsbyKimW on Etsy - cute screen print design!  (about $20)

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Other ideas...

A free gift...the gift of your time!  Simply make plans to spend time with your favorite knitter....even if you don't knit, they will enjoy spending time with you!  Or, offer to do the chores around the house for your favorite knitter...so they can spend time relaxing and knitting. :)

If you want to splurge on the knitter in your life...treat them to a shopping trip to their local yarn store.  Let them pick out their favorite yarn for a project for themselves. (Plan on at least $50 - $100 for the shopping spree!)  It's really hard to buy yarn for someone else so this is a case where it's nice to let them do their own shopping.

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I hope you enjoy this list and discover interesting gift ideas to celebrate the knitter(s) in your life.

When I discover new gift ideas I'll add them to this post!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Mary Lee
Fifty Four Ten Studio

Favorite Photos from the #YarnLoveChallenge

As you may have read in my previous post, this month I am participating in the #yarnlovechallenge over on Instagram. The organizers of this fiber themed challenge came up with themes for each day of the month in February 2017 and encouraged any yarn enthusiasts to share their photos related to the themes. It's been so fun to participate and I particularly like the themes for the second week of February and thought it would be fun to share a few of those photos here on the blog...in case you missed them.  

The theme for day 8 of the #yarnlovechallenge was "where I craft".  This photo was taken in my home studio where I spend a lot of my time.

My home studio.

I bought the sturdy, white table for my first college apartment many years ago.  This table is fantastic for crafting.  I love the durable white surface and it fits in right next to a big east facing window so I have lots of natural light.  My husband built an awesome desk and cabinets that run along the wall (behind the table).  That's where I have my computer and printer.  We live in an old house and this room was originally the kitchen when the house was built in the 1940's.  In case you are wondering...the grey blanket draped on the chair in the center of the photo is my Over the Rooftops blanket knitting pattern.  The blue blanket on the table was made using my free knitting pattern...The Boulevard Blanket.  The blue yarn is Lion Brand Hometown USA in the color 'Washington Denim'.

The theme for day 9 of the #yarnlovechallenge was "tools".  I love knitting tools!  It was fun to create a flatlay design using some of my favorite knitting tools...plus a few old treasures...

Some of my favorite knitting tools.

The Susan Bates US 13 straight knitting needles on the right are from the 1980's.  I haven't used them in years!  These days I primarily use circular knitting needles for flat knitting (working back and forth just like with straight needles) and double pointed needles for hats and other small in the round projects. My stitch markers, tape measure, tapestry needles and old Susan Bates gauge ruler are a few of my most used little tools.  I use a clip board with paper or a simple spiral notebook to keep notes when I am working on a new knitting design. I always have several ballpoint pens and basic pencils handy for taking notes, editing patterns, jotting down pattern name ideas, etc.

The theme for day 10 brought back a lot of memories..."oldest stash".  I pulled out my bin of really old yarn and dug to the very bottom to find some of these yarn treasures from the 1980's...

My oldest stash yarn.

I bought a lot of this yarn when I was in high school and college when I worked a couple summers in a little yarn shop.  Apparently I spent a lot of my earnings on yarn!  I knit mohair sweaters with the ivory and blue yarns (top corners).  A mohair sweater sounds dreadfully itchy to me today!  But...I did wear those sweaters. The raspberry colored yarn is alpaca and I knit a very soft, over-sized sweater for myself with that yarn.  I used the medium gray blue yarn (center) to knit a short sleeved pullover top that I wore many times in the spring and summer.  The greenish and gray blue yarns in the lower right of the photo are Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Worsted. I knit many sweaters with various colors of this reliable yarn back in the 80's and 90's.  In more recent years, I used up some of my leftover Lamb's Pride Worsted by knitting hats and mittens for my kids.  The ivory ribbon marketed for knitting and crochet was purchased in the 80's.  I never used it for knitting so these days I use it for wrapping packages and as a background prop in my knitting photos.

"Travel Projects" was the theme for day 11.  My favorite travel project is to visit a local yarn shop and bring home some beautiful yarn as a memento of the trip. I also love going to local book stores when I'm on a trip. Books and yarn are my favorite souvenirs!

The Yarn Barn in Lawrence, Kansas & Purl Soho in New York City.

 Last weekend I took a day trip to Lawrence, Kansas with my daughter.  It's only about 40 minutes from our house.  We went to Mass Street Music for her to check out some guitar accessories.  It's a really nice guitar store!  We also stopped in The Yarn Barn which is a lovely little yarn shop on Massachusetts Street.  (Locals call it "Mass Street".)  The Yarn Barn carries a great selection of yarn for knitting and crochet, as well as a huge section of supplies for weaving. (If you are interested, they print a beautiful annual catalog filled with their products.) I bought some beautiful yarn...see photo below.  One year ago I went to New York City and loved having the opportunity to go to Purl Soho. Their wall of yarn is gorgeous!  (FYI: check Purl Soho's hours before you go...when we were there they did not open until noon.)  Also...I would suggest previewing their yarn online before you go so you have an idea of what to look at first.  There's so much to see in this small but well stocked store!

Here's the gorgeous yarn I purchased at The Yarn Barn last weekend.  It's Malabrigo Rasta - a super bulky weight yarn that is kettle dyed.  The color is called 'Solis'. I'm making plans for this yarn!

Malabrigo Rasta - kettle dyed yarn in 'Solis' #809

Now I should get back to working on one of my knitting projects. I have a couple things in the works. Honestly...one idea has been slow to come together.  Trying new ideas takes time and patience!

If you would like to see more behind the scenes photos and follow along with the #yarnlovechallenge follow me on Instagram...@fiftyfourtenstudio.

Hope you have a wonderful week!  Happy Valentine's Day!  Happy knitting!

Mary Lee
Fifty Four Ten Studio