Holiday Knitting

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Here we are again. It's November, and we have yet to start our Christmas knitting. For sure, some of you finished in July, but many of us are in the last-minute category. Obviously, it's too late to knit Aran sweaters for the whole family, but there's still time to create personal gifts for most people on your list.

Scarves are great for almost everyone, and it's easy to create a different scarf for each person. Look through your pattern books for stitches that you like. You can choose lacy stitches for women, and woven-look or subtly textured stitches for men. Reversible stitches are especially good for scarves. Decide on the width you want, do a gauge swatch and cast on! A ruffled scarf like the one shown in Photo 1 would be great for your niece. Click here for this free pattern that was featured in the Feb. 25, 2011 issue of this newsletter.

Hats also make great gifts. A simple watchman's style can work for anyone. Choose masculine colors for men and just about any color for women. To make a simple cap more feminine, knit a flower and attach it with a button. Look back to the July 1 issue for the hat shown in Photo 2.

Mittens are a welcome gift any time of year. They're relatively easy to make, and you can check out the previous issue of this newsletter for tips on how to close gaps at the bottom of the thumb. Make striped mittens and use up some of your stash. The Free Pattern in this issue has multiple sizes -- mittens for everyone!

Fingerless mitts remain very popular and knit more quickly than mittens because you stop knitting at the base of the fingers. Click here for the pattern shown in Photo 3, featured in the Jan. 4, 2011 issue of Creative Knitting newsletter.

If you have time to knit one very special gift, consider a knitted throw such as the one shown in Photo 4. This holiday version was featured in the Oct. 22, 2010 issue, and you can find the pattern here.

You can also design your own pattern. As for scarves, choose a pattern you like, decide on finished measurements, do a gauge swatch, and cast on. Be sure to include a border of at least five stitches and rows, or if you're really adventurous, you can knit a border to the main piece when it's finished.

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