Well, with less than a week until Christmas Day, I’m sure all you knitters are busy finishing up last minute gifts for everybody on your lists. The thing is, what do you give to people who are knitters that are on your list? Well, for me, this is a great opportunity to give a knitter something that they need but may not even think about getting for themselves. This would be something like books, magazines, and/or tools. All of the above make great gifts for knitters. Here’s a few thoughts about each of those you may like.
Books:
Noro by Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton – I did a review of this book on the show and this book has been out for a few months now. Noro yarns are eye candy for knitters. Started more than 40 years ago, Noro is an innovator when it comes to hand painted colorways. His unique vision and foresight has paved the way for numerous dyers today and has changed the way we look at color! His yarns are as exquisite and desirable to touch as they are to look at, and the processes he uses are as environmentally friendly as you’ll find in the industry. In the book Cornelia shows us the history of the company and the man and there are 40 designs that will have something to please everyone! The picture will bring you to an order page for the book!
Knitting Workshop by Elizabeth Zimmerman – even years after she has left us, the legacy of EZ continues to shape the knitting world. Her best selling book, Knitting Workshop, has been updated by Schoolhouse Press with color throughout, new techniques, expanded sizing for patterns, and editorial notes. What made this book a must have for every knitter has been increased and it’s definitely one of the top 3 books you need to have in your collection. This would be a fantastic gift to find under the tree if you’re a knitter! Click the picture to order yours or one for your favorite knitter.
There are literally dozens of books I can list for you to get for your knitting friends. Since I don’t want to create a novel in one post however, let me just say that we’ll be reviewing lots of titles in the upcoming episodes of the show. As for magazines, I am fortunate live in a part of the world that makes a lot of titles – both domestic and imported – available to me. As such, I have the luxury of going to the newsstand and selecting the titles I wish. Your knitting friends might not be so fortunate though, so may I suggest getting them a subscription to their favorite magazine? There is also the option of online magazines for many of the titles now! This is better than a gift card and will ensure they don’t miss an issue!
Something most knitters need but don’t have are tools. High on the list of necessary tools for knitters are the following three … ball winders, swift, and a yarn bowl. The first 2 go hand in hand and are used in conjunction – the ball winder and swift. The upcoming episode of the show shows exactly how this is accomplished and a search online or call to your nearest LYS will let you know exactly where you can find one. I know that everybody’s budget is different and that this article(s) may be out of your range, but if you are choosing a winder and swift combination (or just one), might I suggest getting the best quality one you can afford? Your friend will appreciate it and it will double as an aesthetically pleasing adornment to any room. My preference is for the wooden swifts and I definitely need the durability of a a jumbo winder.
Since #ittakesballstoknit, a necessary item for me is a yarn bowl! I did a post on these a while back as my friend Anne makes and sells them. I actually have 2 as they are so beautiful I couldn’t decide on which one to get. If you’re in the BC area you can check out Annes wares to see if she has one to your liking. If not, again, a call to your LYS should help. They are also a very popular item at knitting shows and craft fairs. If you see one at a craft fair, could you do me a favor please? Instead of trying to get a better deal, leave a tip to the artisan as they have worked very hard to create the item and are often not making anything or very, very, little on the sale.
One last thing on this post. You may recall the #30daysweater challenge that happened in October. Well, designs were submitted for the challenge and voting is now under way. You can vote for multiple sweaters and every 24 hours. I’d like to ask for your help. The competition is very close and I’d love to get your vote if you think it’s worth it (I’m currently in the running to win). Actually, all the contestants would love your vote. You can vote at the link in the picture below – not just for my sweater but for any you think is worthy. There are quite a few so scroll down the page to view them all. The voting asks for access to your Facebook account (you and friends list) and this has quite a few people weary. I’d like to ensure you that this is just a precaution to ensure you’re human and not an automated program going in and casting votes. You can cancel the apps permissions after the voting ends tomorrow. Again, thanks for your support!
Hugzzz 😎