Gift Knitting

Gift knitting makes me nervous. Timelines. Pleasing the recipient. It's a lot for a knitter to take on. However, each Christmas I find myself knitting up small items for family and loved ones. Gift knitting is a tricky thing. You pour your time into choosing patterns, picking yarns and making the actual item. It's a true loved one that receives a handknitted gift. You will only put that kinda time into someone you know will appreciate it.

Above is a simple knitted scarf to accompany a tam/beret I actually made much earlier this year and tucked back for my mom. I used Elsbeth Lavold Baby Llama to knit it. Oooooh, so soft, a neat construction (the scarf tucks into itself thanks to the little ribbed loops you see there.) And it's sure to stay put around her neck.

The second photo is of some very, very simple fingerless mitts for a friend that requested them. Cold hands at work prompted her to ask for some: green, simple and not too long. I hope these fit the bill. The pattern is called 75 Yard Malabrigo Mitts, but I used some leftover Cascade Superwash lurking in my stash. It was green, afterall.

I am now making my youngest brother a pair out of some Lamb's Pride in a pretty gray. They have a rustic appeal. After making this first pair I wanted to knit up all of my worsted weight yarn into these. Sadly, they aren't appealing just laying there, but put them on and they take on a whole new life, so neat, so utilitarian and classic. Love them.

Of course, I have three cowls ready for gifting. I also reknit a scarf for a friend that (knitters turn away) washed and dried her alpaca scarf. Deep breath. A few dishcloths and small items thrown in as well.

In reality I now only have to wrap up my bro's mitts and knit a hat for my other sibling. All done. Except that I had intended on knitting stockings for each of us here. . . maybe another year.