A Guide to Holiday Knitting: From Beginner to Advanced

So, it's October. Venerable knitters have mostly likely gotten a head start of the dually onerous and enjoyable task of holiday knitting, although beginners may still be dreamily eyeing the first of December of their start date. Either way, here are some tips for holiday knitting, as well as projects for every skill level to dazzle your friends and family with.

First, consider your recipient. Are they nuts about natural fibers, or are they going to throw the lovely merino shrug you just made into the washer and dryer without a second thought? Are they the type to be more dazzled by a ribbed scarf in their favorite colors than the lace shawl you've been slaving over for weeks? It's good to know these things beforehand. As much as YOU might be impressed by the time and craftmanship that went into what you're knitting, someone who doesn't knit (as many of your potential giftees are likely to be) is probably not going to be as excited as you are. Before you commit yourself to a costly investment, in terms of both time and money, make sure that your recipient will enjoy it and be able to care for it in the way you'd want.

Second, consider time constraints. Not everyone needs a sweater for Christmas. It's fine to be ambitious, but be realistic about your time commitments if you really expect to deliver on December 25th.

Third, keep mum! As this knitter knows, so often the afghan you've dreamed of gifting Mom and Dad may end up under their tree in March... or May... or a few Christmases away! It's much easier to tackle a project without its intended recipient breathing down your neck (in reality or in your imagination) about its progress.

Now that you're prepared to pick up the needles, here are some holiday projects for you to whip up: