Great Gift Ideas for Knitters and Crocheters

Sticks, hooks, books, and balls (of yarn) - nothing brings more joy and excitement to the hearts of knitters and crocheters than these words. Here a list of great gift ideas for the needle crafter in your life!

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the products below, nor do I have anything to gain from listing these items. However, this would be my wish list of presents and I hope my family keeps these suggestions in mind when shopping for me, too! :)

A tutorial on how to make the yarn-stuffed holiday stocking in the photo can be found here.

Yarn of the Month Club - This, to me, sounds like pure luxury. These yarn clubs are subscription based - each month, the club sends you a package with a new yarn, a complimentary pattern, and other goodies, based on your skill level and personal preferences. There are a couple of companies that provide this service - Yarnbox and KnitCrate are two well-known ones. Both have gift options. Some yarn manufacturers also offer monthly subscriptions - Sweet Georgia Yarns and Blue Moon Fiber Arts are just a few.

A Gift Certificate for a Massage or Day at the Spa - Believe it or not, needle crafts can be stressful :) Why not give your favorite knitter or crocheter a special treat with a gift certificate for a massage or spa treatment? Everyone loves a day of pampering! Check online or your local phone book for spa services near you!

A Knitting Needle or Crochet Hook Set - Both knitting and crocheting require the right tools and it can be very frustrating to find you don't have the correct size needle or crochet hook for your project. A set of interchangable knitting needles or a full crochet hook collection can solve this problem. I love my interchangable set and have not bought another knitting needle since I got mine. There are a lot of sets available at a variety of prices. Webs Yarn Store, Knit Picks, and Amazon all have a good selection.

Subscription to Crochet or Knitting Magazine - All crafters love to find new ideas and inspiration, and magazines are a great place to see new projects and learn about techniques and products. Any knitter or crocheter would love a gift subscription to a magazine filled with patterns and photos! There are many magazines available on the market. It may take some sleuthing to find which one is right for your favorite crocheter or knitter :)

A Blocking Mat - Blocking is one of the finishing steps for most knitting and crochet projects. The completed item is laid out flat on a mat and then pinned into shape. A blocking mat is a very useful tool during this process. Most mats a foamy to accept the pins and fold up for easy storage. Webs, Knit Picks and most yarn stores sell blocking mats. It's worth shopping around for the best price.

Books, Books, Books - Like magazines, knitting and crochet books can be a wonderful source of inspiration, ideas, and information. There are SO MANY books available in bookstores that it's hard to choose one as a gift. Here are a few that are worth mentioning:

Scarf Style - Most crocheters and knitters will make A LOT of scarves during their crafting lives. But all will admit that scarves are fun to make and there are always interesting new patterns to try. Scarf Style and Scarf Style II are great books with beautiful patterns for every kind of yarn fans - beginners to experts.

Knit Red or Crochet Red - Created to raise awareness about women's heart health, these books are filled with great projects and stories about women living with heart ailments. Proceeds from the sale of these books benefit the Heart Truth Foundation. A great way to support an important cause!

A Class to Improve Their Skills - Most knitters and crocheters would love the chance to learn new techniques and improve their skills. A class can be the perfect way to do this! Visit your local yarn or craft store to see what types of classes they offer. No stores near you - check out Craftsy, which offers a variety of online classes in a number of crafts. Craftsy classes can be downloaded to your computer and watched at your leisure and at your own pace. What could be better!

Project Bag - Bags are a wonderful way to transport and organize knitting or crochet projects. I use mine ALL THE TIME. There are lots of projects bags on the market, from simple tote bags to satchels designed specifically for needlecrafts. For a special, handmade bag, look on Etsy for your choice of styles.

If you're looking for something with a more tailored design, try Namaste who make project bags that look more like purses, but are filled with pockets to hold craft supplies and projects.

A Yarn Bowl - A yarn bowl is pretty much what it sounds like - a large bowl, generally ceramic or wood, to hold your yarn. These bowls usually have a hook or hole cut out of the side to feed the yarn through and keep it from rolling around on the floor while you work. There are a lot of styles available and Etsy.com is a good place to see some beautiful choices. Special note to my family: I love this one :)

Fun Tape Measure - Every crafter needs a measuring tape and these cute creations from Lantern Moon are so adorable. Other animals and styles are available, and these make great stocking stuffers!

A Row Counter - Another great stocking stuffer is a digital row counter from Knitter's Helper. This handy gadget fits on a finger and helps keep track of rows and stitches. Such a clever idea!

A Special Mug - I don't think I'm the only one who likes to enjoy a hot cup of tea or coffee while knitting. And a beautiful mug can add that extra bit of enjoyment to this afternoon ritual :) Check out houseware stores, gift and craft shops, or Etsy.com for the perfect hot beverage container.

Hand Lotion - Working with yarn can dry out your hands and cause them to chap. A moisturizing lotion can send relief to overworked hands and help combat hangnails (which catch and pull on stitches).

Notion Bags and Boxes - One of the best things about needle crafts is all the fun accessories that are available. Notion bags and boxes are handy to keep tools organized and from getting lost. There are many notion bags/boxes available (Webs, Knit Picks, and Namaste all have many options), but this one on Etsy is so cute!

Blank Notebook - A blank journal or notebook is great way to keep track of supplies, projects, patterns, and special notes while knitting or crocheting. Bookstores, arts and craft supply, and gift shops all usually have a wonderful selection of journals and offer many styles.

A Pair of Good Quality Scissors - Good scissors are a must for any crafter - scissors that are sharp, cut straight, and don't have any dings on the blades. I always have a pair that are dedicated to my crafting and are not to be used to open glue cans or in place of a screwdriver :) Scissors are available everywhere. Some crafters like a scissors that fold up for easy transport, but I prefer a pair of full size scissors.

This is just a small list of the wonderful products available for knitters and crocheters. I hope there are some gift ideas for the crafter in your life!

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