Holiday knitting and gift-giving

Hi there! It's the first week of December, and while Christmas is still a few weeks away, a lot of us are pretty wary of adding too many people to our "handmade gifts" list if we haven't already started something for them. In addition to an extreme lack of free time during the holidays, shopping-related decision fatigue can make it hard to decide on a yarn and color even if we have a pattern in mind. I've gone through my Yarnigans patterns and compiled a list of my favorite tried and true patterns for gift-giving at the holiday season, and also recommended some yarns and notions to make things a little easier for you (plus links!)

1.  Oatmeal the Snowman 

 Oatmeal is not the quickest of knits, but he is easy. He's a perfect gift because while he works well as a toy, he's also something that appeals to grown-ups to sit on a mantle for the holidays. The nose, arms, and scarf of this pattern are best made with things from your stash- worsted weight for the arms and nose in orange and brown. If you absolutely have to buy yarn for these and want to go the most economical route, just pick up a ball of Lily Sugar n' Cream in each color.  At less than $2 a ball, you can afford a more luxe yarn for the main body of the snowman. Speaking of which, I like to use Cascade Lana Grande for my snowmen. The Ecru color is the perfect not-too-white and the yarn wears well, with minimal pilling. In this picture, I also used Lana Grande for my scarf in Baker's Chocolate colorway, but really, you could use whatever yarn you already have and like (or want to get rid of, depending on who the gift is for). If you need to start this project right away and have to use a yarn that's available in a big box store, go for Lion Brand WoolEase thick and quick.  It's sold at Joann and Michael's and I think even some WalMarts. I like button eyes for the project, but if you want to go the safety eye route, I would use 18 mm black safety eyes (I believe you can get these from Hobby Lobby, as well). Bonus on this one, the cables will have non-knitting friends saying "You made that?!"

2. Theodore the Teddy Bear

This one is about as classic as you can get. Perfect gift for a baby's first Christmas or to have peeking out of a stocking. No notions here- everything on the face is embroidered on in black wool. The same yarn suggestions for this one as the snowman above- Lana Grande if you are going all out, and WoolEase Thick and Quick if you need it fast.  Add a quick knitted scarf, or a scrap of plaid flannel to make him holiday-ready, or a thick velvet ribbon would make a beautiful bow around his neck and leave him looking like he came directly from a department store holiday window. You can't go wrong with this one.

3. Nilla the Unicorn

Nilla is my most popular pattern and I think that's probably because we all know someone who is obsessed with unicorns and absolutely NEEDS one of these dolls. They're the perfect size for gifts- around 14" with a thick worsted yarn- and they're oh-so-squeezable. You give one of these as a gift, and it's going to be carried around and passed around the entire day. They're hard to put down.

My go-to yarn for a pattern like this is always Cascade 220. The color options are pretty much endless and the quality is always on-point, in my experience. However, Nilla is one of the few patterns, in my opinion, that works just as well in an acrylic. I love the squish and durability of a unicorn knitted from say, Vanna's Choice. As a bit of a yarn snob it's hard to admit this, but honestly, sometimes a cheap but soft acrylic can go a long way, especially if you live in an area like I do where independent yarn stores just don't exist. Just stick to solids because ombres and variegateds can be tricky. Always go with the white snout and hooves and use a few textured strands in the hair from any kind of handspun you have lying around.

For Nilla's eyes, go with a 12 or 15mm in solid black.

4. A Little Kindness Monster

A true scrap project. Literally, use whatever you have. I love the white and red combo here, but you can put him in any color. Green and red for Christmas! Blue and white for Hanukkah! Stripes, ombres, wool, or acrylic. Really it all works here. This might not be a great stand-alone gift but it could be tucked into a mug for a teacher or bus driver, tied into the ribbon on the top of a larger gift, or peeking out of the pocket of a gifted sweater. He's such a quick knit, he could add a handmade touch to anything you are giving. Eyes here are 12 mm and suggested yarn weight is worsted, but use your imagination and wits on this one. 

I hope this list has helped and that you soon find yourself doing a little knitting in a cozy room with a holiday movie on the TV. Happy holidays!