knitted gifts

[mysticmomma]

I'm just teaching myself to knit and I really love it. I'm looking to knit some easy-ish gifts for christmas/solstice this year. Where do you all get your yarn? MIchaels and AC Moore don't seem to have they types any of my patterns look for. Gift ideas welcome... beyond scarves.

[iowaorganic]

Well- if you are looking for something kinda quick- I would suggest this pattern

http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog.j...DID=xprd130235

It is a simple great pattern that I have made for lotsa gifts. I like to knit them out of a sturdy wool like peace fleece- but anything really will work. Then make sure to line them with a good cotton or silk or something. A fancy ribbon and I like bamboo handles- but you can choose any or even do and I-cord handle....

[USAmma]

I knit a bunch of washcloths last year in different colors and they were a big hit with my aunt and grandma. Super easy and I was able to practice different stitches, too.

[Angi]

Hi!
I also knit and crochet, and I know what you mean about yarns. Some of the patterns you may be looking at can be found in specialty yarn stores. I know Baltimore has several.

Here is a searchable list for finding Local Yarn Stores (LYS). http://www.dailyknitter.com/shops.html. Just enter the city you live in.

I notice you are in Baltimore from your profile info on the side of the post. Every spring there is the Maryland Wool and Sheep Festival. I have a couple of friends that go every year and basically come back with a suitcase full of yarn. It's supposed to be a fiber enthusiasts dream. Some day I may make the journey...

Sometimes you can find good substitutes at decent prices at general craft stores like Michaels. You want to look at the fiber content (does it ask for merino? cashmere? alpaca?) and gauge (# of stitches per inch for recommended needle size). Patterns are normally written for how well a certain yarn will hold a stitch pattern, or will drape when finished. Some experimentation with less expensive yarns will help you find the right substitutes. Sometimes it depends on how much you really like that person. For example, I have a mild contact allergy to alpaca, but I made a scarf for my brother out of it. Now that is sisterly devotion. It was very silky soft, according to him. I could have used a much less expensive yarn with a similar feel and weight, but I don't know how well it would have turned out.

Good luck!

[caiesmommy]

Right now I'm just learning and for solstice presents Ive got

-a pair of bootie/slippers for ds otn(a BASIC pattern I found online and just used a WAY thicker yarn to make it big enough for ds)
-a sweater for my aunt(pattern found on the yarn ball...SUPER EASY..w a lil help lol)
-I've also got baby mitts for the l/o on the way, again another really super easy pattern you could make for someone whos having a baby around the holidays.
-then theres easy slipper patterns, mitt patterns
just search the net, and look on the balls of yarn, and on the yarn websites for ideas