As the popularity of knitting has grown, so has the number of goodies and gadgets available for knitters. Some of these items are whimsical, such as a sterling silver elephant stitch marker, while many others are incredibly useful and practical. There is something for every knitting skill level, and gift-buying budget.
Bags and Cases
Knitting bags and needle cases ranging from utilitarian to regal help a knitter stay organized and mobile. Needle cases are about the size of a placemat with slots for various sized needles. The cases roll up and can be tucked in a tote bag. Cases can be made of anything from simple cotton to elegant brocades, and range in price from $12 to $50 or more. Tote bags made for the knitter have divisions inside the bag to help keep yarn, needles and gadgets neatly stowed. These also range from ordinary canvas bags to ones made of leather and luxurious fabrics with prices ranging from modest to serious.
Books for the Knitter
A great choice for either an aspiring or accomplished knitter, is one of the most popular knitting books ever, Stitch ‘N Bitch: The Knitter’s Handbook, ($13.95) by Debbie Stoller. As the title suggests, this isn’t grandma’s knitting book, but a hip, slightly sassy volume aimed at the growing legions of “chicks with sticks.” The book has clear and easy to understand instructions for doing anything from casting on, to following complex knitting patterns.
For the accomplished knitter, Lucinda Guy’s Handknits for Kids ($23) is a great choice. It has many complex intarsia patterns, but since the patterns are for kid-sized garments, they can be completed in this life time. For the productive and nimble-fingered knitter there’s Tara Jon Manning’s, Men in Knits: Sweaters to Knit That He Will Wear ($28.95).
There is even a book for the social activist knitter titled Knitting for Peace, by Betty Christiansen, ($19.95) which features groups who knit for all sorts of worthwhile charity projects. Christiansen provides contact information for the knitter who wants to get involved. Christiansen includes knitting patterns for items such as Chemo Caps, and Linus Security Blankets for children in stressful situations. She includes ideas for starting a knit-for-peace group so, as she says, everyone can “make the world a better place, one stitch at a time.”
Calendars
Several calendars are available for the knitter. There’s the Knitting a Pattern-a-Day desk calendar by Desiree Scales ($14.99) and The Stitch ‘N Bitch Page-A-Day calendar. ($12.99) Both calendars have enough patterns to keep any knitter happily clicking away for years to come. Ed Martingale has published a perpetual calendar titled 365 Knitting Stitches. ($19.95) The calendar comes in a spiral bound easel style, and as the title suggest, features instructions to knit a new swatch every day of the year.
Gadgets
All crafters of any description love gadgets, and manufacturers have responded to the increased interest in knitting with a plethora of knitting goodies that range in price from pocket change to serious cash. The uninitiated shopper can take a trip to the yarn shop, stand in front of the pegboard hung with shiny packets of specialized tools and ponder what to buy. Items like needle point protectors, stitch holders, stitch counters, cable needles, gauge measuring devices, stitch spacers, pom-pom makers and lovely handmade, hardwood knitting needles, are among the many offerings. There are even battery-powered needles that have little lights built into their tips, allowing a knitter to carry on even when the lights go out. Sales clerks in these stores are usually more than happy to help the uncertain shopper, but a gift certificate can take all the anxiety out of the decision making.
When it comes to finding gifts for knitters, there’s no shortage of choices.
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