Christmas in July: Starting Your Christmas Gift Knitting and Crochet
It’s summertime and Christmas may seem a long way off, but before you know it, it’ll be December and you’ll be joining knitters and crocheters all over the world in rushing to get all their gifts made in time! This year, why not use July as a springboard to get started on all your gifting for December?
Planning A Budget Over Multiple Months
Instead of trying to buy all your yarn a month or two before Christmas and breaking the bank, starting in July will give you more time to not only make the gifts, but also more time to buy the yarn and anything else that you need to make them.
This is also the perfect time to go and have a look at your stash and see whether there aren’t some of the yarn that you can use to make the gifts. De-stashing and gifting at the same time will save you space and money.
You may even be able to afford some of the hand-dyed or hand-painted yarns by your favorite indie dyers to make gifts with if you start planning your budget in July!
Choose Some Items That Are Larger Or More Intricate To Make
Use the extra time that you have on hand to create items that will take longer to make, whether it’s because they’re larger or they’re more intricate. For example, instead of reaching for chunky yarn and stitching up a scarf quickly, you can opt for a finer weight yarn and make a lighter, perhaps lacier scarf that the receiver can wear during spring, autumn, and winter.
These are all free patterns that will make great gifts:
- Ovid (scarf) by Audrey Borrega on Love Crafts – Knit from a fine weight of yarn, this beautiful scarf is also decorated with some simple embroidery that gives it that extra bit of flair.
- Multiverse (shawl) by Renee Strouts on Love Crafts – Brioche makes this shawl a real eye catcher as well as a way to practice your brioche knitting at the same time!
- Sugarplum (blanket) by Premier Yarns on Love Crafts – This beautiful blanket, whether made in the pastels of the photo or another colorway of your choice, is the perfect size to not keep you busy for too long on just one gift.
- Honeysuckle Fingerless Mitts by Nancy Vandivert on Love Crafts – Rather than opting for plain garter or stockinette, why not knit these lacy mitts for someone special?
Give More Handmade Gifts This Year
Giving yourself more time to make your gifts for December, also means that you have the time to make more gifts than you usually would. Have a look at this list of Christmas gifts that you can make.
You may even be able to give everyone a pair of socks that you’ve handknitted and know that their feet will be nice and warm throughout winter. Keep reading for some great (and free) sock patterns that you can use!
There’s Still Time To Teach Someone Else Or To Learn How To Knit Or Crochet
If you start early, there’s also still time for you to learn how to knit or crochet if you can’t – or to teach the skill to someone else.
Looking for online classes to learn how to knit or crochet (or both)? Look no further than:
- Craftsy (Paid classes)
- Skillshare (Paid classes)
- YouTube (Free tutorials and/or classes)
Some Gift Ideas And Patterns Perfect For Christmas Gifts
- Painted Roses Blanket by Sandra from Cherry Heart on Etsy (pattern) – This beautiful crocheted blanket with its bold flowers will look just as wonderful in neutral tones as it does in color.
- Luxury Bathroom Spa Gift Set - Crochet Pattern eBook - Shower Puff, Washcloth, Headband, Soap Scrub, and Face Scrubbies Crochet Patterns by Ling Ryan on Etsy – What better way to start (or continue) a zero-waste lifestyle than through making a spa gift set from your favorite cotton? Make it in a variety of colors and wrap in recyclable paper for gifting!
- Cherry Blossom Crocheted Flower by Happy Patty Crochet on Etsy – These blossoms, like Patty’s other flowers, are extremely life-like and will make a beautiful gift, especially in midwinter when spring still seems so far away. Be sure to look at her other patterns if you want to make a whole bouquet.
- Boho Bunting Crochet Pattern by LuluLovesUK on Etsy – Perfect for giving some boho-flair to a room or party, this bunting is easy to make and looks impressive.
- Jute Eco-Bag by LapaLand on Etsy – Another gift for the waste-conscious is this sturdy jute bag. You can even make some to use instead of gift bags this year.
- “When Worlds Collide” sock pattern by Erica Lueder on Love Crafts – This beautiful sock with its repeating lace pattern is wonderful as a stocking-stuffer or on its own – and it also gives you the chance to practice your knitted lace.
- “Quick’n’Cosy Sox” by Mary Gildersleeve on Love Crafts – Just as the name suggests, these ribbed socks are quick to knit and easy enough for beginner sock knitters as well. Why not experiment with some of the new sock yarns and colorways that are on the market?
- “Just Your Basic Sock” pattern by Fiona Hamilton Maclaren on Love Crafts – Another sock pattern perfect for beginners. Make pairs in a range of colours and yarns to practice your sock knitting while also making gifts!
- Yoga Lace Socks by Novita on Love Crafts – Why settle for stockinette when you can have these beauties to keep your ankles warm during yoga? We have to admit that we’re quite smitten!
- 1-loop knitting ring by ItsVera on Etsy – Knitting and crochet jewellery has become some of makers’ must-have accessories. Plus, they work like a bomb. Knitting Fair Isle or other colorwork? Simply use the 2 or 3-loop rings and voila!
- BeCraftee Yarn Bag on Amazon – Take your projects wherever you go in this beautiful and practical yarn bag. Large enough to hold an ample amount of yarn, this is the perfect accessory, whether you’re relaxing on the veranda, sitting in the car, or going on vacation.
- Frederick's Original Arthritis Gloves on Amazon – Many knitters and crocheters can start to struggle with pain in their hands because of all the repetitive movements that you’re doing. These gloves give just enough compression to relieve some of the pain.
- KnitPal Sock Circular Knitting Needle Set on Amazon – Our KnitPal sock needle set will make a great gift for someone who’s just starting out on their sock-knitting road. Of course, we won’t tell anyone if you buy the set for yourself this Christmas.
- KnitPal 16-inch(40cm) Tunisian Crochet Hooks Set on Amazon – KnitPal also stocks these handy Tunisian crochet sets. Each set comes complete with an ebook, which means that you don’t have to worry about getting started with Tunisian crochet.
We hope that this has been some inspiration for your own December makes. Let us know what you’re making this year in our KnitPal Facebook group!
