Rather terrifyingly, Christmas is literally just around the corner and if you’re anything like me, the Christmas gift list is… well, let’s just say it’s a work in progress. Good news for all you present seekers, I come bearing tidings of comfort, joy and nice and quick Christmas gift knits.
See, here’s the thing, last-minute Christmas gifting doesn’t have to mean stressful dashes around town or desperate Google searches for anything with next day delivery. If you’ve got a yarn stash (even a small one) or even better, access to a lovely knitting shop, you can create something meaningful, beautiful and handmade in a jiffy if you choose the right Christmas gift knit.
We’ve all had that sinking feeling of forgetting someone right at the last minute – your work Secret Santa, your kid’s teacher, or Great Auntie Irene… The panic is real, but take this as your cue to declare a sofa day, rummage through your stash, and knit up a thoughtful, hand-knit gift that’s a million times better than anything Amazon can deliver.
So, grab a cuppa, sit yourself down and check out these quick and easy gift knits you can knit in a day(ish)*. Trust me, they’ll be better than any last-minute gift bought about town.
*Disclaimer: Results may vary based on your knitting speed and dedication to tea breaks!
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Janice sent me the Ravelry link to these adorable knitted Christmas decs and naturally I had to purchase it immediately– a set of three mini Christmas knits that are the perfect size to hang on your Christmas tree.
She said, “I love receiving a gift of Christmas decorations, it is the gift that keeps on giving each year you unpack them”, and I wholeheartedly agree. I mean, who doesn’t want to unpack and put up the sweetest collection of handknit decs year after year?
Oh, and if you had a handknit sweater on your gift knit list this year that you haven’t even cast on yet, here’s one you can whip up in less time than it takes to wrap all your gift knits (though, if you’re anything like me, that might take a while…).
The perfect gift for the Christmas lover in your life, or why not knit a whole bunch and use them to decorate your Christmas gifts once wrapped?
Find the Cosy Christmas Combo Knitting Pattern on Ravelry
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Has there ever been a week when PetiteKnit’s Sophie Scarf hasn’t been on Ravelry’s most popular list? This Parisian-inspired beauty is as chic as it is simple. It uses minimal yarn, knits up pretty quickly and makes the perfect knitted accessory for anyone who loves effortless style.
This beginner friendly knit is a good ‘un for some serious sofa knitting. Requiring little to no concentration the Sophie Scarf is luxurious, budget-friendly (even when knit in dreamy cashmere) and oh-so giftable.
An elegant Christmas gift knit your niece, sister or best friend will adore.
Find the Sophie Scarf knitting pattern on Ravelry
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I honestly cannot get enough of this adorable dinosaur beanie. Full disclosure, I might be slightly pushing the ‘gifts you can knit in a day’ brief with this one, especially if you’re knitting an adults sized version, but it’s just too good not to include in my list.
The magic lies in the colourwork, see. Once you’ve powered through the 2×2 ribbing, the hat practically knits itself. The neat little sections keep things interesting and make it easy to measure your knitting progress (and plan your tea breaks accordingly). Before you know it, you’re four Harry Potter’s deep and finishing the crown, no problem at all. What’s not to love?
A fantastic last minute Christmas gift knit that’s perfect for dino-lovers. Husband’s, sons, daughters… who wouldn’t want to unwrap this at Christmas?
Find the Dinosaur Beanie knitting pattern on Ravelry
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Fingerless mitts are essential when it comes to my knitted wardrobe in winter and I love the look of the Hexham Mitts. The knit design is simple enough to knit up relatively quickly, with just the right amount of colourwork to keep things interesting. It’s the perfect rhythm: knit the cuff, add a little more, tackle that fun pop of colourwork, knit the thumb, and voila – you’re basically done.
These colourwork mitts are great for using up yarn scraps, especially if those scraps are our fave Jamieson’s of Shetland Spindrift, but if you’re limited on colours or not feeling the the stranded colourwork, I reckon they’d look equally lovely in a solid colour.
A practical Christmas gift knit your Auntie Irene will love.
Find the Hexham Mitts knitting pattern on Ravelry
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What says last minute gift knit better than a super chunky knitted hat full of squish and texture? If time really isn’t on your side, this quick and easy knit from Janice is the perfect solution for gifting something cosy and handmade in a flash. Take a couple of balls of super chunky yarn, add a hot cup of tea and a couple of mince pies and a Christmas movie later you’ll be ready to start wrapping.
A snuggly gift for those who feel the cold.
Find the Braided Heart Beanie Knitting Pattern on Ravelry
Who doesn’t want a knitted crown, especially at Christmas? The Elegant Knit Crown is a crackin’ free pattern on Ravelry that’s perfect for both kids and adults. With a lovely bit of lacework that isn’t overly fussy and subtle changes in stitch pattern, it’s a fun and engaging knit you’ll want to knit for everyone. I recommend adding a few rows of stockinette between the garter stitch edging and the lacework to give your knitted crown a bit more height, though.
Package it in a Christmas cracker for a festive treat at lunch that will have everyone feeling like royalty.
Find the Elegant Knit Crown Knitting Pattern on Ravelry
We asked the rest of the Baa! team what last minute gift knit projects they would recommend – here’s what they said.
This Christmas, Linda is keen to complete Harold Fatmus by Clare Hutchinson, an adorable a free pattern from the owner of Wee County Yarns (have you knit with their Kinross 4ply yet?) and the Wrist Snugglers by Diane Malinowski.
And for those who also dabble in a bit of crochet, we’ve got a couple of lovely crochet patterns from Fiona Meade, Baa!s very own crochet tutor. We have the Citron Fingerless Gloves if you have an evening to hook up a last minute Christmas gift. If you’re looking for something even quicker, dig out some stash yarn and make a bundle of cute crochet Star Christmas Tree Ornaments.
Will you be gifting any of these gift knits this Christmas? Let us know, we’d love to hear.
