This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s fall editorial intern Elizabeth Miller. Find them on Instagram at @Lizzy_7979. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
The time for giving gifts is getting closer! If you need gift ideas for the knitter or crocheter in your life, you’ve come to the right place! As an experienced knitter and crocheter, I use the holiday season as a time to reflect on my crafts and think about tools that I would find useful for my projects. I’ve done a deep dive looking for the best gifts to get knitters and crocheters, so here are my suggestions for various types of crafters.
Great For Any Crafter
I think it’s pretty safe to say that every crafter has misplaced at least one of these items, myself included. In all honesty, I think all of us would agree that most of these are never where we need them when we need them either.
- Scissors, sharp ones specifically for cutting fabric, yarn and thread
- Stitch markers, there are lots of cute ones out there, just check if your crafter uses closed stitch markers (rings typically used for knitting) or open stitch markers (ones that hook or clasp onto them)
- Yarn needle, bigger than an average sewing needle for weaving in yarn ends
- Replacement crochet hooks or knitting needles
If you are looking to get your crafter replacement hooks or needles, I would highly recommend asking what kinds or brands of tools they prefer using. Crochet hooks and knitting needles are typically made of plastic, wood, bamboo, or metal. Depending on the crafter, the material the tools are made of can make crafting more difficult. For example, I prefer metal tools because I like that yarn slides on them easily, whereas I don’t like the resistance that bamboo tools have.
For The Health-Dedicated Crafter
Long term, knitting and crocheting can be damaging to your hands and wrists if you keep your hands tense or don’t use a safe technique. Stretching and strengthening your hands and wrists is important for being able to craft for a long time. Here are some gifts for your crafter who cares about their hand health:
- Compression gloves, great for crafters who work on their projects for many hours at a time
- Ergonomic crochet hooks or handles to slide onto hooks, make holding small and thin crochet hooks more comfortable
- Hand lotion or a hand massager, nice for stretching after a long crafting session or healing from an injury due to overworking
For The Traveling Crafter Or The Crafter On The Go
I fall into this category! I always bring a project with me whenever I leave the house.
- Pouch for keeping crafting necessities, easy to throw into a bag without taking up too much space or getting disorganized
- Portable yarn holder, great for crafters who like to work while they walk, they may look silly but they’re much more convenient than pulling yarn from a bag on your shoulder
- Neck light, for the late-night crafter on the long car, train, or plane ride
- Bags or sweatshirts with a designated yarn pocket, keep that yarn untangled and out of the way while being multi-functional
For the Gadget Obsessed Crafter
Especially in recent years, there have been a lot of new projects that help make crafting easier. Here are some gift options if your crafter is into these gadgets:
- Light-up crochet hooks and knitting needles, for the late-night crafter or the crafter that like a little extra light
- Stitch counters, great for crafters that work on big projects or stuffed animals and toys
- Yarn holding stand, keeps yarn untangled by spinning as the yarn is pulled
- Interchangeable circular knitting needles, the needles screw onto the flexible cord between these types of knitting needles
For The Crafter Who Can Never Have Enough Yarn
These crafters are self-proclaimed yarn goblins, buying up any yarn they like. Yarn comes in all types of fiber contents and weights. If you are set on getting your yarn goblin some yarn, check their projects and stash to see what types of yarn they prefer. Check the labels to see what the yarn is made of (acrylic, wool, cotton, etc) and how thick the strands of yarn are (this is the “weight” of the yarn, which determines the recommended size hook or needle). Some stores use a standardized number system to designate weight (0-7, lace to jumbo), and others use an older naming system with names such as baby, DK and sport. Check online for general conversions between the two systems, or ask a store employee.
- Yarn goblin merch, such as stickers, shirts and sweatshirts, while we’ll gladly accept more yarn, you may be doing us a service by not giving us more yarn
- Gift cards, good for crafters who want to downsize their yarn stash, and are especially convenient if your crafter needs to get more yarn of a specific yarn to finish their project
- Yarn shopping spree, support a local small business!
Hopefully, you found this guide helpful! Happy gifting!
Crafters, what do you think about these gift suggestions? Let us know in the comments below!
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