A knitter’s tools get used on every project, so they make better gifts than yarn, which is a personal choice. The best gifts upgrade something they reach for constantly: the needles, the way they wind yarn, or how they finish a piece. This guide is sorted by what each gift does.
For crocheters, see our gifts for crocheters; for other crafts, our gifts for crafters.
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Quick picks
- The big gift: a ChiaoGoo Twist Red Lace interchangeable set.
- Wood needles: Knit Picks Mosaic or Lantern Moon Ancestry.
- For hanks of yarn: a yarn winder and swift.
- For finishing: KnitIQ blocking mats and Eucalan wool wash.
- Small add-ons: a Kacha-Kacha row counter and a needle gauge.
Interchangeable needle sets
An interchangeable set is the classic knitter’s splurge. Instead of buying a separate circular needle for every size and length, the knitter screws tips onto cables to make the combination a pattern calls for. It is the gift that replaces a drawer of loose needles.
ChiaoGoo Twist Red Lace Complete Set
The ChiaoGoo Twist Red Lace 5-inch complete set has stainless steel tips in 13 sizes from US 2 to 15, with six cables (14, 22 and 30 inches for both small and large tips), connectors, end stoppers, tightening keys, a needle gauge, 24 stitch markers, a cloth case and a 13 by 16 inch project bag.
Knit Picks Mosaic Wood Set
For a knitter who prefers wood, the Knit Picks Mosaic set has 9 pairs of 4.75-inch laminated birch tips in US 4 to 11, in multicolor layers, with four cables, end caps, connectors and a snap case. The cables are flexible and memory-free.
Lantern Moon Ancestry and Clover Takumi
The Lantern Moon Ancestry set is the heirloom option: handcrafted ebony tips with 24K gold finishing in US 2.5 to 10, stored in an embroidered Khadi silk case, with a project bag. The Clover Takumi combo set is bamboo, made in Japan, with 12 tip sizes and 5 cord lengths for 60 combinations.
Winding and a yarn bowl
Specialty yarn often comes in hanks that have to be wound before knitting. The Knit Picks winding bundle pairs a ball winder with a birch wood swift, winds up to 100 grams into a center-pull cake and folds flat for storage. To keep the ball from rolling while they knit, an EDHAS acacia wood yarn bowl has a curl and two side holes to feed the yarn.
Finishing and care
Blocking evens out stitches and sets the shape of a finished piece. The KnitIQ blocking set has nine interlocking 0.75-inch foam boards with grid lines, 100 T-pins and a storage bag. For washing, Eucalan No Rinse Delicate Wash in lavender is made for hand washing knits with no rinse needed, and conditions fibers while protecting against moths.
Small tools
- The Clover Kacha-Kacha counter is a small row counter made in Japan for keeping track of rows.
- The Clover swatch ruler and needle gauge measures a 4-inch swatch and sizes needles and hooks in metric, US and Japanese sizes.
- A Cowenhey pattern holder folds to about 10 by 7 inches and holds a pattern or chart in place with magnets and a magnetic ruler. Our guide on how to read a knitting pattern pairs well with it.
- For evening knitting, the OttLite ClearSun LED desk lamp uses daylight LEDs that show colors accurately, with three brightness levels.
A bag and a book
The TOGETRUE yarn bag is a canvas project bag 11 inches high with a drawstring top, double handles, two outside pockets and an inside zip pocket, sized for one project at a time.
Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Knitter’s Almanac is a classic with one project for each month of the year, a good fit for a knitter who has mastered the basics.
How to choose
If the knitter still uses straight needles or a drawer of loose circulars, an interchangeable set is the gift they will use most. If they already own one, look at the tools around it: a winder and swift, blocking mats or a good lamp. For someone just starting, our beginner’s guide to knitting and a kit are a better start than tools.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good gift for a knitter?
An interchangeable needle set for a bigger gift, or blocking mats, a yarn winder or a row counter for something smaller. Tools are safer than yarn, which is a personal choice.
Metal, wood or bamboo needles?
Metal tips such as ChiaoGoo are slick, so stitches move quickly. Wood and bamboo, such as Knit Picks Mosaic and Clover Takumi, have more grip, which helps with slippery yarn. If you are not sure what they like, look at the needles they use now.
Is knitting a good gift for someone who wants to relax?
Many people knit to unwind. Our article on knitting for anxiety looks at why.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice; consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any supplement. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
