What to buy a knitter (hint: not yarn)

Christmas gift ideas for knitters

12/20/13

It's hard to find gifts for crafters if you have not been given specific instructions! Here are some all-purpose suggestions for the knitter in your life.

1. Hand lotion
Knitting makes your fingers rough and scaly. I know that sounds weird, but it's true. Especially when you combine it with winter weather conditions, it's a recipe for dry hands. Some nice hand lotion or cuticle cream is always a welcome addition to the knitting kit.

2. Nice scissors
You can never have enough pairs of scissors. They always seem to go missing, or you want an extra pair to tuck into your knitting bag. Knitters often find themselves in a pinch and having to resort to breaking the yarn between their hands, or gnawing at it. I once had to cut the yarn by sawing at it with a house key.

3. A gift certificate to their favorite store
I know gift certificates are frowned upon. But a certificate to your knitter's favorite knitting store is always welcome. If you are not sure where your knitter shops, then get a certificate to the WEBS online yarn store. Every knitter shops at WEBS.

4. Project bags
If you find yourself at a yarn store without a clue what to buy, check out the selection of project bags. You can find project bags in every shape, size, and price point. And these are one of those things that you can't have enough of, if you're a knitter. There is always another project looking for a home while it gets shuttled around.

5. Measuring devices
Measuring tapes come in a million different shapes and sizes, from practical to adorable and tiny. Yarn stores also sell special rulers which help a knitter measure and calculate gauge. A knitter can never find a ruler when they need one, so these make a great gift.

Image courtesy Flickr/Mr. T in DC