NB: This post is from Elyse, and is such a great collection of gifts, it was perfect for our gift guide. Thank you, Elyse!
Knitting has really helped me preserve some of peace of mind during this pandemic, and I know that many people who had been interested in fiber arts decided to try a new hobby this year.
It can be hard to shop for crafters, though, because we can be pretty specific in what we like (for example, I cannot knit on straight needles). This guide is meant to help you find a gift for the crafter in your life without requiring a lot of knowledge about what kind of projects or fibers or tools they prefer.
First of all, a gift card to their local yarn store is a fantastic idea. Many small businesses are struggling right now and need support, and local yarn stores are adapting by offering curbside pick up or shopping by appointment.
Knitmap can help you find a store in your area.
Another idea is skincare products. Crafters tend to be very aware of our hands and now with extra handwashing and hand sanitizer, chapped skin is even more of a problem.
One of my favorite products is Scottish Fine Soaps Company’s Au Lait body butter and hand and nail cream.
I’m very sensitive to perfumes and dyes, and while this has a light fragrance it’s not overpowering. It’s not greasy or sticky so I can use it and go right back to my knitting.
Yarn bowls are another idea. I have one from Pawley Studios that I love. You place your skein of yarn in the yarn bowl while knitting or crocheting and it allows it unwind smoothly and keep from getting snagged. Many of her products have fandom themes like Outlander, Doctor Who and Star Wars.
Check out this gorgeous Raku bowl.
She also has knitting and crocheting themed mugs, some of which are hilarious.
Regardless of what type of craft you’re into, lighting is also hugely important. I absolutely love my Verilux Smartlight LED floor lamp. It has a flexible neck, various brightness settings, and three color temperature settings. This lamp has reduced eye strain for me and also allows me to see what colors would look like in daylight.
It comes in black and white, and there’s a desktop version as well. This lamp also works great for reading at night.
(Sarah: I have the desktop model after Elyse recommended it a few years ago, and I LOVE it for cross stitching, sewing, and, of all things, manicures!)
Most handknits require a hand wash and some blocking when they’re finished. Soak and Eucalan are two brands of gentle soaps for washing handmade items. I always wash my projects at least once with Soak to get any excess dye out. They have a scentless version, but I’m a fan of the fig scent. I also know people who use this to hand wash their delicates.
I love gifting stitch markers to my fellow knitters and crocheters because you can find them themed for all kinds of interests.
I just bought some of these super cute D20 stitch markers for my gaming and knitting friends.
I also absolutely love these Jane Austen stitch markers.
Finally, crafting themed jewelry can be a great gift. My husband got me this necklace last year and I wore it nearly every day to work (before I started working remote due to COVID). It’s a needle sizer, but the design is subtle and beautiful.
Porterness Studios also has some beautiful and unique jewelry. I own two of their rings and love them.
What are you favorite gifts for the crafter in your life? What is on your wish list this year?
I have that NSFW mug from Pawley Studios. All their stuff is high quality. And I love interesting knitting jewelry!
I have that very same YARRN! bowl, and they really are the perfect size for most projects. Pawley also does custom mugs, but it takes a while. But that’s how I got my Witcher NSFW-ish work mug. Which will definitely go to the office with me whenever we go back.
@genie – what does the Witcher mug say?!! I’m so curious!
@SB Sarah – “Hmmm… Fuck.”
This makes it fully appropriate for work if you ask me, but society doesn’t always agree with me on these things.
@genie: I LOVE IT. That’s brilliant.
LennyMud is a fantastic pottery studio that makes wonderful products. I have several of their mugs and love them. Perfect sized handle, nice weight, substantial without being heavy. The hardest part is picking which one(s) so I don’t buy everything.
They have quite the selection of yarn bowls and crafter-themed mugs, plates, etc.
https://lennymud.com/collections/yarn-bowl
https://lennymud.com/collections/crafts-hobbies
They also have a Judaica collection, including seder plates and menorahs!
https://lennymud.com/collections/judaica
Just FYI the link in the body of the intro goes to Amanda’s list from last week; clicking on the picture brings you to the right list. I don’t want anyone to miss this outstanding list!
Oops! All fixed – thanks for the heads up!
I’ll be visiting my local (shout out to Elgin Knit Works), as I cannot for the life of me find a crochet hook that I’ve probably owned since the 70s. So exasperating. They don’t have an online store, and besides, I want to play with the choices before I buy. Merry Christmas to me.
Big on my guild members lists is a wool pressing mat. They come in various sizes and supposedly make pressing quilt blocks a dream. I have a feeling it might work well for blocking small knit pieces.
I some how managed to get the bff hooked on beading so she’ll be getting a Potomac Beads subscription box.
As an ADHD crafter, I love getting kits with enough stuff to do one or two projects of that type of craft, but not so much stuff it takes up a ton of room and I don’t have to feel guilty about getting all the stuff for something I only do a few times.
I think there are subscriptions for that, but I’ve seen a ton of great kits on Etsy and all that too.
Something I would love is a nice yarn guide ring for doing fair isle and other colorwork – this one is my holy grail (though probably too late to get in time for Christmas):
https://www.etsy.com/listing/591949053/lankapiika-yarn-guide-ring?ref=user_profile&cns=1
But I also like these:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/121355110/beautiful-original-knitting-crochet-ring?ref=user_profile&frs=1
And you can search ETSY for other yarn guide rings too.