You Know What’s Always Right Around The Corner?

Christmas. Christmas may seem months away, but ohhhh no, my friends. It’s always coming up. And even if Christmas isn’t all that close, there are always birthdays and anniversaries and new babies popping up throughout the year. Just in case you’re not entirely ready for the 25th (or whatever gift giving even is headed your way), I’ve compiled a list of a few quick knit gifts that can be made in a jiffy!  Don’t forget to personalize them in some way to make them extra special. Alright, knitters, let’s shake out those fingers and get ready to knit some quick gifts!

Easy Ways To Customize A Quick Knit

If you have multiple people that will be getting the same project, there are a handful of ways to make the end product feel personalized.  Some of these even work for items that were made from the same yarn!

Yarn Choice

This is, hands down, the easiest way to customize a quick knit.  It doesn’t take any more effort to cast on with a striped yarn than a regular ol’ color.  Picking a color and style that really “speaks” to your recipient will go a long way in making a simple project feel pretty grand.

Same exact sock pattern, but done in different color ways it, well, looks different!  The pattern is #29 Classic Socks for the Family by Melinda Goodfellow and these socks were made by CathyMinnetyan.

Button Or Brooch

Adding a button or brooch is a simple way to make your project “pop”.  (Hint: you don’t have to knit the button in; you can just tack it down after the fact!  It took me awhile to learn that one.)  If you’re going to be knitting the same project, in the same yarn, for more than one person, a button is a lightening fast way to make each item feel unique.  The same item in a similar colorway can have a brand new feel by switching up the accessories.

Duplicate Stitch

Depending on the difficulty of the chart, you can make your final product as simple or complex as you want while still getting very personal.  Maybe stitch on a music note for the piano lover or their favorite team’s colors.  Monogramming an item really takes it to the next level and there are several types of fonts on Ravelry.  (This is also a great way to use up scrap yarn!)

Labels

I love custom labels added to handmade items.  Stitching one of these bad boys onto a project is a simple way to elevate a project for “homemade” to “handmade”.  And handmade (with love) is always better!

Chunky Cowls

Cowl #1

This cowl looks great on the inside and out which will give your recipient more ways to wear it.  If it were me, and I had two people getting the same cowl, I’d give one person the cowl with the “right side” facing, and the other with the “wrong side” facing.  Both sides are gorgeous and it would just add to the personal touch.  With this being made in a bulky yarn and size 15 needles, you might have enough time to treat yourself to one!

Cowl #2

While the cowl pictured is knit in super bulky yarn on size 15 needles, the pattern comes in four gauges so if you have more time, and you like the look, go ahead and go for a tighter gauge!  If you have multiple people on your list, you could knit them all cowls at different gauges to get a completely different look.  They don’t need to know that you only needed to memorize one stitch pattern!  *wink wink*

Cowl #3

If you haven’t made a drop stitch pattern before, now is the time!  This cowl is made using super bulky yarn and size 15 needles so it’s going to go by fast anyway.  Now add to the mix some dropped stitches and you have a unique, quick pattern, with very little effort on your part.  There is a reason why this pattern is so popular!

Cowl #4

This cowl has a super easy stitch repeat that is essentially just “yo, k2tog” but it makes such a fun look!  The chunky texture created with the super bulky yarn and size 19 needles makes for a super simple to memorize project.  Try this pattern in a gradient yarn like this (held double) or maybe a yarn with a glitter thread.  The sky’s the limit with this one.

Cowl #5

This cowl is a bit bigger than the others but using bulky yarn with size 10 needles is still going to create a fast project.  While this one is a little bit more time consuming, it would make for some great TV knitting.  And let’s all be honest, that is a lot of potential knitting time!  I’m loving this project in all of it’s heathered variations.

Hardy Hats

Hat #1

I love how the cables make this hat look much harder than it is.  No one will ever know that this is such a quick knit!  Cables can be a bit fiddly at this size but in super bulky yarn on size 13 needles, who cares!  Two or three cable crosses and you’re done!

Hat #2

This highly versatile hat can be made for just about everyone on your list.  Knit with super bulky yarn and size 15 needles, it will be done in a flash.  The pom pom adds a nice touch.  Store bought hats normally have sad little pom poms so if you decide to add one, go all out!  The more yarn the better!

Hat #3

Similar to the hat above, this pattern has an option for just about everyone!  These are knit with bulky yarn and size 11 needles.  Duplicate stitch would really stand out on one of these.  Whether you add stripes or go the solid route, this is going to be done before you know it.

Hat #4

This is a great go-to pattern for all you slouchy hat lovers!  With the same ribbing gauge, there are three stitch variations so go ahead and try one of each.  Knit in super bulky yarn and size 11 needles, you’ll have time to make them all!

Hat #5

If you’re not quite sure about your recipient’s head size, this ribbed beanie is the pattern for you.  Even though stockinette does have a lot of stretch, ribbing is even more forgiving.  A bonus is that kids can grow into their hat for several winters!  Knit with super bulky yarn and size 15 needles, you’ll have more than enough time to make those adorable pom poms.

Knits For Hands And Feet

Mittens

Does your loved one have cold hands?  Well not for long!  Using super bulky yarn and size 13 needles makes this a snap to make.  The thumb is the most time consuming part of this and even that is fast on such big needles.  These would be especially cozy in an alpaca bend like this!

Fingerless Gloves #1

If you know your recipient would prefer the use of their fingers, these are a nice alternative from the mittens above.  They’ll take slightly longer since these fingerless gloves are made using bulky yarn and size 10 needles but they’ll still be a quick knit.  A gradient/striped yarn like this would really make things fun!  If you just can’t get enough of purling, try the reverse stockinette version.  (Rather than do all of that purling, maybe you could just knit these regular and do all of your finishing on the knit side?  Can you tell I’m not a fan of “excessive” purling?)

Fingerless Gloves #2

These are very similar to the fingerless gloves above but these obviously have much more ribbing and are made using worsted yarn and size 8 needles.  Still quick but a wee bit more time consuming because of the thinner yarn and needles.  These would be a great candidate for a duplicate stitch pattern.  If *cough cough* someone were making these for me, I would love something like this.  Gotta support my house, ya know.

Boot Cuffs

These chunky boot cuffs let the cables do all the heavy lifting and, since there are only four crosses, it looks way harder than it really is.  (Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone!)  Cables normally look best in solid or heather colored yarns but this version is a neat twist!  I think these would look good in any of the neutrals but a bright holly berry red would be so festive if these were an early Christmas gift!

Socks

If you’re a big sock knitter, this sock/slipper hybrid is about as fast as you can get with such “small” needles.  These socks are toe up using bulky yarn and size 8 needles.  I’m thinking about making these my gifts for next Christmas.  You get the whole package with these: cozy, custom, easy, and did I mention cozy?

A Little Bit Of Everything Else

Ear Warmer #1

The adorable twist on this headband make it seem much harder (and time consuming) than it really is.  The headband pictured is made using super bulky yarn and size 13 needles but there is a worsted weight option if you like that look more.

Ear Warmer #2

This headband is a quick but great introduction to brioche knitting.  I just love the fluffy feel that brioche knitting makes but I especially like the lofty texture this headband has in super bulky yarn and size 11 needles.  I’ll take two!

Headband

Can you say “adorable”?  I just love this bright pop of red.  The moss stitch adds such a fun texture.  Even with the moss stitching, this would knit up in a jiffy with worsted weight yarn and size 8 needles.  You could knit this in a variety of yarn weights and get totally different feels.  Maybe make it big to be a purse accessory or tiny to be a hair barrette.  So many fast options.

Dishcloth

This is an oldie but goodie in worsted weight yarn and size 7 needles.  This is a great, fast go to for kitchen dish cloths or face towels.  They pair great with soaps and other small treats like this and this.  If you have more time and want to make it bigger, it makes a good blanket, too.  I really like the idea of weaving in a ribbon into this blanket.  LOTS of easy TV knitting with this pattern!

Cup Cozy

And last we have little mug hugs!  These are just too stinkin’ cute!  It would be super easy to duplicate stitch someone’s initials or maybe a heart if you have time.  This pattern uses aran weight yarn and size 5 needles.  That’s significantly smaller than some of the other suggestions but these are so small that they’ll be fast regardless.  These are a great side project to use up scrap yarn throughout the year.  I mean, who doesn’t want to protect their fingers from hot coffee?

What About You?

What is your favorite go-to quick knit?  Let us know in the comment section down below!