Thanksgiving and Black Friday are almost upon us, and so is Part Three of my gift idea series for knitters and crocheters! How am I doing? Find anything you hadn't thought of among the lists? I wanted to make sure you had ample time to start gift-searching by getting this series out before Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Some of the items I mentioned in Part One and Part Two may be going on sale soon or already are, so now's a good time to get them.
In case you missed it: Part One covered Project Prep and Tools of the Trade gifts. Part Two found presents for Crafter Health, Notions, and Project Storage. For Part Three, I'm focusing on Handy Little Tools and Finishing Touches.
Let's get to it!
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**Like in Part One, I've rounded prices up to the nearest dollar and did not include tax or shipping. I am also not affiliated or sponsored by any of the brands or products listed!**
GIFT IDEAS FOR KNITTERS & CROCHETERS
Part Three
Handy Little Tools
Yarn Guide Rings: yarn guide rings help with yarn tension and ease as it's going over and through a knitter's or crocheter's fingers from the skein to their hook and project. Also helpful when using multiple colors because a multi-yarn ring keeps colors organized by their fingers and keeps yarn from tangling.
$ Boye Multi-Size Finger Guides from Jo-Ann's ($6): Plastic ring that can sort three separate yarns. Comes with three snap-on tops depending on the size yarn being used (light, medium, and heavy).
$ 4-Piece Yarn Guide Finger Holder ($8): from Amazon. Plastic yarn guide that also guide up to three yarns of different weights. You get all four pastel colors of this product in the order: pink, blue, green, and yellow.
$ 2-Piece Adjustable Metal Yarn Guides ($8): from Amazon. One gold and one silver metal yarn guide.
$ Knitten Knit Tension Tool by Loops & Threads ($9): from Michael's Craft Store. An intriguing gadget that claims to help with yarn tension. It has four different tension gauges that click into the device. I will be testing this out against other yarn guides.
SHOP SMALL $$-$$$ FizzyStitches on Etsy: They have the prettiest yarn guide rings, handmade in Portugal! I ordered two from them (their cat style and their swirl) and I love them both. They're beautifully made and come in a nice, wool-lined tin for storage. I absolutely love their gemstone rings, too.
SHOP SMALL $$ Lankapiika Yarn Guide Ring ($70): (pronounced lawn-kaw-peek-uh): if your knitter/crocheter does a lot of multi-color stranded projects, get them this! It's a high-quality multi-strand yarn guide made only in Finland (it's copyrighted to the artist of this Etsy shop). It's handmade of sterling silver and can be ordered in various sizes, with adjustability for the right fit. I ordered one for myself and I can tell I'm going to love it for stranded colorwork.
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$$ Lumos Knitting Light ($50): If your yarny friend or loved one likes to craft in dimly-lit areas, get them one of these. It's a hands-free way to illuminate their projects and reduce eye strain, especially when using black yarn! This nifty neck light is advertised as lightweight and ergonomic. It can be adjusted as-needed and can store easily in a crafter's bag.
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$ The Knitting Barber Cords at WEBS ($18): Awesome gift for those who make lots of sweaters and need to check the fit while still working the pattern. These cables allow your friend to safely transfer their stitches off their needles and give their piece a proper fit check that they couldn't do on their working needles. There's a tutorial available on The Knitting Barber's Instagram if they need help using them! Two 30" cords and one 60" cord.
**Don't want pink? Check out this Etsy seller for more color options! One 59" cord and two 29.5" cords ($16)**
$ Basic Chart Keepers by Knit Picks ($6-11): Great for keeping track on charted projects. The keeper uses magnets to hold charts in place and to mark where your crafty friend left off. Available in five colors.
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Row Counters: Does your handcrafter utilize sticky notes and random pieces of paper to keep track of their row count and still gets lost? Better get them a decent row counter. You can find them in many forms like rings, digital, clicker, chain, and turn-dial.
$ Susan Bates Digital Row Counter ($7): Straps onto the finger for either knitting or crochet. Seems like you'll get a randomly-selected color when you order online, and I'm not sure the color choices. You can find other digital counters on Amazon!
SHOP SMALL $$ Turn-Dial Row Counter by SunriseGrove on Etsy ($22): this is so pretty! A wooden row counter that can be used for knitting or crochet. Turn the dials to keep track of the rows.
$$ KnitPro Row Counter Ring ($25): can be used for knitting or crochet. Worn just like a regular ring and can be found in various sizes to fit the recipient. Can even be a fidget toy when not being used for a project.
SHOP SMALL $$ Two-Piece Row Counter Progress Keepers by TwillandPrint on Etsy ($21): track rows and keep the last stitch from dropping off needles! Metal progress keepers. One is a sunflower and the other a cup of coffee!
SHOP SMALL $-$$ Chain Row Counters on Etsy: ONLY USE WITH KNITTING! Slides onto the needle in between stitches, making it very secure. The next number in the chain is picked up and passed onto the working needle as if it's part of the project, then the knitter keeps on going.
Finishing Touches
Wool Wash: help keep the handknit items your friend or loved one makes clean and fresh. Most handknit items can't go in the washing machine when made with certain fibers, so special soak detergents are needed to gently refresh those pieces. Great for gifting so your yarny friend can soak and reblock their special items with confidence after wear.
Check out these brands:
$ EUCALAN on WEBS - unscented available.
$-$$ UNICORN FIBRE - shop directly on their site. Septic-safe and unscented available (called Beyond
$-$$$ SOAK - shop directly on their site. They even have bundles that come with soaking basins and a delicates bag! Unscented available.
$ Search on Etsy for special scents a small business may be creating for the season
$-$$ Etsy also has handmade wool wash bars
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Blocking Kits: used for giving handmade garments and other items their shape and helps to smooth out stitches, lacework, and any colorwork that may look wonky before a nice soak and shape.
$$ Blocking Starter Tool Kit ($51): from Knit Picks. Includes foam blocking mats,
blocking pins, travel-sized assorted Soak wool wash samples, and a lint shaver.
$$ Basic Blocking Kit ($55): from Knit Picks. Includes foam blocking mats, lace blocking wires, T-pins, and a lint shaver.
$$ Knitter's Block ($89): from Cocoknits. Includes 18 12"x12" blocking mats, T pins, and a gingham swatch for getting even measurements.
$ 4-Pack Boye Blocking Boards ($19): from Jo-Ann Fabrics. Four 12"x12" blocking boards with grid lines.
$$ 9-Pack Blocking Board Mats ($37): from Target. Nine foam 12.5"x12.5" blocking mats with carrying case, plus T-pins.
$$ Super-Absorbent Blocking Towel ($25): from Cocoknits. Shortens the dry time of handmade items that are being blocked. Great for sweaters or any large pieces. After soaking, place on the towel, then roll it up like a cake roll and step on it before unrolling and shaping.
$$ Tulip Blocking Wires ($42): from Jo-Ann Fabrics. mostly used for lacework blocking, but also use less blocking pins by inserting these wires through shoulder seams, sweater bottoms, etc. Eight 19.7" wires and a storage case.
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Mitten/Sock Blockers: as the name suggests, used for stretching and shaping mittens, gloves, and socks to size. Available in many styles, from simple wire blockers to plastic to laser-cut wood.
$$ SHOP SMALL Adjustable Wooden Sock Blocker Pair ($24): Made in the Ukraine. Goes from shoe size US 3 to US 10.5. Made of birch plywood and varnished.
$-$$ SHOP SMALL MLYNJEDROW of Etsy: Their shop offers wooden sock and mitten blockers. Browse their collection to see the various cut-out styles offered.
$$ SHOP SMALL Pair of Wooden Sock Blockers (Fixed Size) ($24-29): Made in the Ukraine. Fixed size wooden sock blockers. Simple design. Offered in shoe sizes US 5-7 up to US 12+.
$$ Sock Mitten and Glove Combo Set with Hanger ($54): from Amazon. Metal design. Has small, medium and large sock size blockers, and one size only for gloves and mittens.
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Portable Steamer: a handy tool for dry blocking and giving that final touch to a piece your yarny friend worked hard on. Getting them a steamer that can be used horizontally or vertically is ideal.
$$ MagicPro Portable Garment Steamer ($30): from Amazon. Available in one color. Has a a steam-lock button so it doesn't automatically release steam, which is helpful if you need to put the machine down or are not ready to start steaming as soon as it's ready. 300ml water tank. 15 minutes of steaming time. Can be used horizontally or vertically!
$$ BEAUTURAL Steamer ($31-33): from Amazon. Available in three colors (blue, aqua or purple) with 4 attachments. 260ml water tank. Has a steam-lock button, and 15 minutes of steaming time. Leak-proof for vertical or horizontal steaming. 8-foot power cord.
$$ Conair Handheld Turbo ExtremeSteam Steamer ($60-63): from Amazon. Available in two colors (white or plum) with 5 settings. 7.3oz water tank, steam-lock button, and up to 20 minutes of steaming time. Can steam horizontally or vertically. 9-foot power cord.
Trying to come up with presents for others can be a challenge, but I hope this three-part series helped you find a fun gift for the knitters and/or crocheters in your life. If you think of them and their hobby, no matter the size of present, they'll be happy you're showing interest and support. That means more than you think.
If you thought of other gift ideas I didn't mention, please shout them out in the comments below. I'd love to hear what you've discovered.
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Need more ideas?
Check out Part One (Project Prep & Tools of the Trade)
Check out Part Two (Crafter Health, Notions, & Project Storage)
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