If you’ve been thinking of making some gifts this holiday season, then this post is for you! I went through all of my patterns and picked 10 that have been my most popular gift-making designs. Here they are (in no particular order!):
1. Carmella Cowl
Carmella cowl has been out for quite a while (originally published in 2013), but it’s a classic that never gets old! It features just knit and purl stitches so it’s simple to make, and with bulky-weight yarn it’s a quick knit too.
- Yarn: Bulky-weight, shown in Malabrigo Chunky.
- Needles: I used a US 15 32″ circular, although many knitters have gone down to a US 13, so either will work. Some people have used Malabrigo Mecha or Berroco Vintage Chunky as yarn alternatives – if you do, I’d recommend that you use a US 11 or US 13 needle.
- Pattern details: click here for my website or here for Ravelry.
2. Nocturnal Hat & Mitts
These bulky-weight hat and mitts are a perfect gift package for someone special. The hat is easy enough for a beginner knitter, and the mitts are relatively easy too, although you will need to be comfortable working on double-pointed-needles or using the magic loop technique to make them.
- Yarn: Aran/Bulky-weight, shown in Quince & Co Osprey, 1 skein. I’ve also made this set in Cascade Ecological, Berroco Mercado, and Malabrigo Mecha (for the latter 2, you’ll likely want to get 2 skeins though).
- Needles: I used US 10 16″ for the hat (and DPNs for the top), and US 9 DPNs for the mitts
- Pattern details: this pattern is free when you sign up for my newsletter. For those who have already signed up but lost your copy, you can access it here.
3. Soundtrack Cowl
My original, worsted-weight version of Soundtrack Cowl is fun to knit and although it probably takes the longest out of all of these gift-making ideas, you can still get it down in just a couple of weeks (if not faster if you have more time!). Plus it’s a great stash-busting project for any worsted-weight yarn you have leftover!
- Yarn: Shown in Sweet Georgia Superwash Worsted. Other great yarn options are: Malabrigo Rios or Berroco Vintage or Ultra Wool.
- Needles: I used US 8 24″ circular.
- Pattern details: click here for my website or here for Ravelry.
4. Midcoast Mitts
These simple fingerless mitts are a great stash-busting project, especially since you can easily add stripes, or work color blocks (perhaps the rib trim in a contrasting color?). They use worsted-weight yarn and you just need to be comfortable working with double-pointed-needles or working the magic loop technique.
- Yarn: Shown in Dirty Water Dyeworks Petite Clara. This yarn has been discontinued, but any wool or wool-blend worsted-weight would work well.
- Needles: I used US 7 DPNs (with US 6 for my rib trim)
- Pattern details: click here for my website or here for Ravelry.
5. Flicker and Fade Cowl
This cowl is both fast and super fun to make as well. It uses bulky-weight yarn and a simple linen stitch which creates a beautiful woven-like stitch pattern. I used 4 different colors, but you can use more or less, so it’s also a good pattern if you have lots of left-over bulky-weight yarn! Pattern also include video tutorial if you’ve never worked this stitch pattern before.
- Yarn: Shown in Malabrigo Chunky
- Needles: I used a US 13″ 32″ for the long version (pattern also has a short version which I used a 24″ circular for)
- Pattern details: click here for my website or here for Ravelry.
6. Lorraine Cowl
The Lorraine Cowl is a great choice if you want to knit for someone who lives in a warmer climate, or perhaps works in a cold office and just needs a little something around their neck. It calls for either sport or dk-weight yarn, but it still knits up fairly quickly (because it’s small).
- Yarn: Shown in Berroco Corsica – this cotton yarn has been discontinued, but here are some other yarn ideas: The Fibre Company Road to China Light, Sandnes Garn Duo, or any other sport or dk-weight yarn.
- Needles: I used a US 6 24″ circular.
- Pattern details: click here for my website or here for Ravelry.
7. Short Stack Neckwarmer
This is a SUPER simple bulky-weight cowl! It features stockinette stitch for the body, and you switch needle sizes a few times and that is what creates the shaping. Then it’s finished off with some simple k1,p1 ribbing at the top. My husband took this sample from me and still wears it all the time! Oh so cozy.
- Yarn: Shown in The Fibre Company Tundra.
- Needles: You start with a US 11 16″ circular, then you’ll switch to a US 10.5 16″, and then you’ll finish with a US 10 16″.
- Pattern details: click here for my website or here for Ravelry.
8. Crispy Cowl
This cowl uses bulky-weight yarn and features an interesting stitch pattern that is both interesting and easy all at the same time. I also have a video tutorial that walks you through it (so it’s great for more beginner knitters too). It looks especially nice with variegated/hand-dyed colorways!
- Yarn: Malabrigo Mecha
- Needles: I used a US 10.5 32″ circular.
- Pattern details: click here for my website or here for Ravelry.
9. Frances Cowl
Similar to my Short Stack cowl, this is a very simple cowl that uses different needle sizes to create the shaping. It’s perfect for a soft bulky-weight yarn because it stays nice and cozy around your neck.
- Yarn: Shown in Cascade Baby Alpaca Chunky. I’ve also used Plymouth Yarn Baby Alpaca Grande.
- Needles: I used a US 10.5 24″ circular and a US 9 24″.
- Pattern details: click here for my website or here for Ravelry.
10. Acadia Loop
This neckwarmer is a perfect light layer. It uses DK-weight yarn and features a turned-hem (don’t worry – I have a video tutorial if you’ve never done it before!). There are 2 size options so it makes a perfect gift for anyone on your list (my husband loves his!).
- Yarn: The Fibre Company Acadia
- Needles: US 6 16″ circular and US 5 16″.
- Pattern details: click here for my website or here for Ravelry.