Tis the Season… for Christmas knitting!

Christmas now has both feet firmly planted on the horizon, and if you want to knit gifts or decorations then now is the time to start. It may fall on the same date every year but somehow Christmas always sneaks up on us. Planning is the key to a successful, non-stressful holiday period, especially when it comes to what to knit and who to knit for. It’s not always easy hand-making gifts for others, so here are a few ideas to get you in the festive mood and help your celebrations go without a hitch.

Why knit your own presents?
In the run up to Christmas the shops are packed with the latest massproduced toys, gadgets and ‘must have’ gifts, but it wasn’t always so. Knitted items have been around for thousands of years and still make brilliant presents, as they are totally unique to the recipient. Practical items like blankets or clothing were always needed, so made very useful gifts that could be easily produced by hand. Although knitted items are no longer a necessity in everyday life, they are still received with much delight – and you won’t need to face those fearsome Christmas shoppers!

Before you start
Making a list and checking it twice is all the rage at this time of year and quite right too. Draw up a list of exactly who you want to knit for and what you’re making for them - you’ll love the satisfaction that comes from crossing things off! But try not to be over-ambitious; you can’t do everything. Most importantly, make sure you give yourself enough time. There are only 24 hours on Christmas Eve, so plan ahead and don’t leave it to the last minute!

Christmas classics
For many years, festive jumpers were the hallmark of handmade Christmas gifts – often thought to be shapeless, scratchy sweaters in siren-bright colours with a bold, festive motif prominently positioned in the centre. Or at least, that’s how the story went! But the popularity of Christmas jumpers now means that you’re probably already wearing one! After all… what’s good enough for Myleene is good enough for us!

But, as much as we’d like to, we can’t make jumpers for everyone. Here are a few more ideas to add to your knit lists.

And of course, it’s not just personal items that work well, knitted or crocheted decorations are perfect for a short burst of festive cheer, as do stockings and tree ornaments. There really are so many possibilities – what are you waiting for?