While I can certainly get behind the growing statement on the internet that holiday decor should stay away until after Thanksgiving, we knitters and crocheters know that for the gifting season to be a success, it’s best to start early. I try to stick to the rule that I will only make presents for family, and mom is always first on my list. I’m lucky, as long as I can find the purplest of all purple yarns, I know she will be thrilled. Last year, I knitted her an “In the Land of Oz” shawl, and she always calls me to tell me that people ask her where she bought it. This year, the new “scorched” purples from Dream in Color Smooshy are calling out to be a cute shawl for mom!
Here are some other great gift ideas for all of the moms out there.
Slippers
Moms are notoriously hard working, so slippers make a great gift. Not to mention, if you find the right pattern, they can be knit in almost no time at all. My favorites are the French Press Felted Slippers, since they work up fast in several strands of Shepherd’s wool. I watched Veronica knit these last year, and I could swear she finished them in under 2 hours.
For me, if a gift needs to be done quickly, the answer is usually to crochet it. That is probably why I love these cute granny square slippers from the purlbee. They remind me of time spent in Russia where everyone had their own house slippers. In a nice bulky yarn like Ella Rae Chunky, these would work up fast enough that you could make a pair for everyone, but if you want an extra special pair for mom, be sure to check out the Blue Sky Techno. She will never want to take them off.
Shawls
I love knitting lace, and there is really nothing more satisfying for me than conquering a lace repeat. Even though shawls can seem daunting, they make a great quick knit, and a great gift. Trousseau from Twist Collective has become a go to project for me, as I am currently knitting a second one for a holiday/wedding gift. That really says something about the pattern, because I rarely knit anything twice. I love that there is both a fingering weight option and a DK weight option for this pattern too. It is a showstopper in a solid like Spud and Chloe Fine, but also stunning in Viola Silky DK. I may need to make yet another of these… Pick a color that will match Mom’s new winter coat, and she will love showing it off to her friends.
If you are short on time, the best bet is to go up in gauge to another standby, the Springtime Bandit. With an easily memorable lace pattern in worsted or Aran weight yarn, you really can’t go wrong. And if you happen to get stuck, I think all of the yarnistas at fibre space have knit this shawl at least once (and several have knit it twice), so we will happily get you unstuck. My favorite yarn for this project is the Neighborhood Fiber Company Studio Worsted, since it’s 400 yard skeins mean never having to weave in any extra ends!
Fingerless Mitts
Warm hands are important, so every mom needs a pair of fingerless mitts, right? Everyone will be jealous if she has a pair of Mitt Envy mittens, which can be made with just a small amount of fingering weight yarn. They would be absolutely exquisite in Canopy fingering from The Fiber Company.
For something a little bit more substantial, there is also Fallberry Mitts from Anne Hanson, which knit up quickly in a sport weight yarn. Knit these in Road to China Light for to add a little bit of luxury in mom’s winter wardrobe.
Cowls
Cowls are a reasonably new craze in the fashion world, and they make a great knitting project. All the warmth of a scarf and probably half the fuss. Quinnipiac by Leila Raabe from the WOOL PEOPLE collection has something for every knitter! With lace, cables, and a tailored hem, this is a quick project that is guaranteed to keep you interested. SHELTER is the natural choice for this cowl and the pattern is also available at the shop if you prefer a hard copy to a PDF download.
Don’t worry crocheters, I haven’t forgotten about you. I am madly in love with the Twitterpation cowl! I spotted this on a customer a few weeks ago, and had one for myself by the next day. I have my eye on the Manos Silk blend for on for mom, I think she will love all of the fun colors the yarn comes in.
Short on time, but like the cowl idea? Grab some big yarn and size 15 needles, Jane’s Cozy-Dee Cowl is just the pattern for you!
Be sure to stop by and join us in the Rocket Lounge to get all of your holiday stitching done. See you then!