Whether it is for Christmas, a birthday, or just to show you care, finding a great gift for someone who loves to knit or crochet couldn't be easier. While it may seem as though your recipient already has all the equipment they could possibly need, in reality they can never have too much, or even enough. Below are a few gift ideas that you may find helpful when purchasing a present for your favourite knit or crochet person.
Pattern books
A crafts person's library is never full. Finding a new set of patterns is always a joy and most knitters and crocheters cannot wait to try some of them out as soon as possible. Popular designers are Jean Greenhowe and Debbie Bliss, but any book of patterns that make use of colour or unusual or alternative yarns make great gifts. Even for anyone who knows nothing about knitting or crochet, selecting a pattern book as a gift is difficult to get wrong.
Yarn
When buying yarn as a gift, you should enlist the help of another experienced knitter or crocheter. Different knitting and crochet projects require different amounts of yarn, and there is nothing more frustrating than running out just before you complete the last part and not being able to find any more of the same yarn. It is also important to most knitters and crocheters to have yarn from the same dye lot for their project. The dye lot number indicates that all yarn was coloured at the same time, and will be of the same shade. Yarn from different dye lots can vary in shade quite considerably and can look odd when used in a single garment. Yarn, particularly specialty yarn, makes a great gift but you need to be sure the you are buying enough. Take a possible pattern with you, or ask the salesperson for advice.
Basic equipment
Knitting needles and crochet hooks often mysteriously disappear, just like odd socks and car keys. If your friend or loved one knits or crochets, then having a stock of needles and hooks is always a good thing and receiving them as gifts will never be frowned upon. Knitting needles are also available in different lengths; short needles are useful for baby clothes and toys, while adult clothes are better worked on longer length needles. Both knitting needles and crochet hooks are available in a range of width sizes. A needle or hook case with a selection of sizes inside makes a wonderful gift. Scissors also come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and each is used for a different purpose. A pin cushion with a pot of large-head pins is another thoughtful gift.
Specialist equipment
If you have been tuned in to your friend or loved one's conversations about large items of equipment that they would really love to receive, then purchasing a specialist item for a person who loves to knit or crochet shows a real level of thoughtfulness. Knitting machines are a common piece of equipment that many knitters want to try out at some point in their lives, but their expense can often mean that they remain a pipe dream. Finding a reconditioned model may be the answer. Alternatively, the means of spinning fibre into yarn may be your knitter's or crocheter's secret dream. If this is the case, why not purchase a simple drop spindle and some fibre. If your friend or loved one is already accomplished on this small-scale spinning device, then a larger spinning wheel would make a wonderful gift for a special occasion.
People who knit and crochet are usually so busy making gifts for everyone else, they sometimes forget that they can receive gifts too. Treat the knitter or crocheter in your life to a craft-based gift and you may end up with something new in return!