15 Perfect Gifts for Knitters [2020]

Whether you’re shopping for a seasoned pro who has been casting on since childhood or a newcomer still mastering the knit stitch, finding the right gift for a knitter can feel surprisingly tricky. After all, knitters tend to be particular about their tools, their yarn, and their workspace. The good news is that the knitting world is rich with thoughtful, useful, and genuinely delightful options that any fiber lover would be thrilled to receive.

This guide walks you through 15 of the best gifts for knitters in 2020, covering everything from luxury yarn to clever tools to cozy accessories that make the knitting experience more enjoyable. Whether your budget is tight or you’re looking to splurge on someone special, there’s something here for every knitter on your list.

1. A Set of Interchangeable Circular Knitting Needles

If there’s one gift that knitters consistently rave about, it’s a high-quality set of interchangeable circular needles. Unlike fixed needles that come in a single size and cord length, interchangeable sets allow the knitter to mix and match needle tips with different cable lengths, giving them ultimate flexibility for any project.

Brands like Knitter’s Pride, ChiaoGoo, and Addi Turbo are widely beloved in the knitting community. A complete interchangeable set typically includes multiple needle sizes (often from US 4 through US 17) along with several cord lengths and connectors. These sets often come packaged in a zippered case or fabric roll, making them easy to store and travel with.

The price point on interchangeable sets varies widely. You can find budget-friendly options in the $30–$50 range, while premium metal or wooden sets from ChiaoGoo or Knitter’s Pride Dreamz can run $80–$150 or more. For a knitter who doesn’t already own a set, this is genuinely one of the most transformative gifts you could give them.

2. Luxury Yarn

Knitters buy plenty of everyday yarn for themselves, but luxury yarn is the kind of indulgence many are reluctant to splurge on without a special occasion. Gifting a skein or two of high-end fiber is a wonderful way to let your favorite knitter know you truly see and appreciate their hobby.

Some of the most coveted luxury fibers include merino wool, cashmere, alpaca, silk blends, and qiviut (the incredibly soft undercoat of the musk ox). Brands like Malabrigo, Madelinetosh, Hedgehog Fibres, and Manos del Uruguay produce hand-dyed skeins that are practically works of art. The colors are rich, the textures are sumptuous, and every skein feels like unwrapping something precious.

If you’re not sure what weight or color to choose, consider buying a gift card to a local yarn store or an online shop like KnitPicks, WEBS, or Jimmy Beans Wool. Alternatively, ask the knitter’s friends or family if they know about any yarn the recipient has been eyeing. Many knitters keep wish lists on platforms like Ravelry.

3. A Yarn Swift and Ball Winder

This is the gift that makes a knitter’s eyes light up the moment they unwrap it. Many yarn comes in loose hanks rather than ready-to-use balls, and turning a hank into a workable cake of yarn by hand can be a tedious, tangled process. A yarn swift (which holds the hank open while it spins) paired with a ball winder (which winds the yarn into a tidy, center-pull cake) makes the whole process effortless and, honestly, deeply satisfying to watch.

Stanwood Needlecraft and Knitter’s Pride both make reliable versions of these tools. You can find a decent yarn swift and ball winder combo for around $40–$60, making this an excellent mid-range gift. It’s especially perfect for someone who buys yarn from indie dyers or local markets, where hanks are especially common.

4. A Knitting Project Bag

Every knitter needs a dedicated place to keep their work-in-progress safe, tangle-free, and easy to carry. Project bags have become an accessory category of their own in the knitting world, and there are beautiful options at every price point.

Look for bags made from sturdy cotton canvas, oilcloth, or water-resistant nylon with a drawstring or zipper closure that keeps yarn from escaping. Some knitters prefer small wristlet-style bags for quick one-skein projects, while others love a large tote that can hold multiple skeins and a whole sweater in progress.

Etsy is an excellent source for handmade project bags from small artisan sellers. Many feature fun, knitting-themed prints or clever punny phrases that knitters love. You can also find high-quality project bags from knitting brands like Cocoknits, Lion Brand, and Fringe Supply Co. Prices range from about $15 for a simple drawstring pouch to $60 or more for a structured, beautifully made tote.

5. Row Counter or Smart Knitting Counter

Losing track of rows is one of the most common frustrations in knitting, especially on complex lace or cable patterns. A reliable row counter is a small gift with a big impact.

Traditional mechanical row counters (the little barrel-shaped ones you push down over a needle) are inexpensive and widely available. But in 2020, there are much more sophisticated options worth considering. The Knit Clicks counter by Knitter’s Pride is a wristband-style clicker counter that’s both functional and stylish. For the tech-savvy knitter, apps like Row Counter and Knit Companion can turn a smartphone into a fully featured knitting assistant.

If you want a physical gift, a pretty enamel stitch marker set combined with a mechanical row counter makes a lovely, affordable package that any knitter will actually use.

6. Knitting Books and Pattern Collections

Good knitting books are treasured for years. Whether you choose a technique guide, a beautifully photographed pattern collection, or a book that celebrates knitting culture, a great knitting book is something a knitter will return to again and again.

Some of the most well-loved titles include “The Knitter’s Bible” by Claire Crompton for beginners, “Knitting Without Tears” by Elizabeth Zimmermann for those who want a more philosophical approach to the craft, and “No Sheep for You” by Amy Singer for knitters with wool allergies. For pattern collections, books by designers like Bristol Ivy, Stephen West, and Tin Can Knits consistently earn rave reviews in the knitting community.

If the person on your list loves contemporary design, look for recent releases from publishers like Interweave or Rowan, which produce stunning pattern books featuring modern, wearable designs. A beautiful knitting book can run anywhere from $20 to $45, making it a perfect gift in almost any budget range.

7. Blocking Mats and Pins

Blocking is the finishing step that transforms a freshly knitted piece from something that looks homemade into something that looks handcrafted — and there’s a big difference. By wetting or steaming a finished piece and then pinning it into shape while it dries, knitters coax their work into the intended dimensions and help stitches even out beautifully.

A set of interlocking foam blocking mats (similar to the puzzle-piece floor mats used in children’s playrooms) and a set of rust-proof T-pins or blocking wires can make a thoughtful and genuinely useful gift. KnitIQ, Knitter’s Pride, and Cocoknits all make excellent blocking kits.

For knitters who haven’t yet invested in proper blocking tools, this is a gift that will immediately upgrade the quality of everything they make. A complete blocking kit typically runs $25–$50 depending on the size and what’s included.

8. A Knitting Subscription Box

Subscription boxes have become wildly popular across every hobby, and knitting is no exception. A knitting subscription box is one of the most exciting gifts you can give because it keeps on giving long after the holidays are over.

Boxes like We Are Knitters, Bluprint (formerly Craftsy), Lion Brand’s Yarn Club, or indie subscription services like Yarnbox or Knitcrate deliver curated selections of yarn, patterns, and accessories right to the door every month. Some boxes focus entirely on luxury indie-dyed yarn, while others include full project kits with everything needed to make a specific item.

Subscriptions typically run $25–$60 per month depending on the box, and many offer the option to purchase a 3-month, 6-month, or 12-month gift subscription. It’s an especially good gift for knitters who love discovering new yarns and designers but don’t always have time to browse shops themselves.

9. A Yarn Bowl

A yarn bowl is one of those gifts that sits on a table and makes everyone who sees it ask, “What is that beautiful thing?” Yarn bowls are ceramic, wooden, or bamboo bowls with a curved cutout or spiral slot on the side. The yarn sits inside the bowl and feeds through the slot as the knitter works, keeping the ball from rolling away across the floor and getting tangled or dirty.

Beyond their function, yarn bowls are genuinely lovely objects. Many ceramic artisans make hand-thrown yarn bowls with intricate carved designs, glazed in rich, earthy colors. You can find stunning examples on Etsy, at local craft fairs, or from dedicated pottery studios. Prices range from about $20 for a simple turned wooden bowl to $60 or more for a hand-crafted ceramic piece.

This is the kind of gift that makes knitting feel like a ritual rather than just a hobby, and knitters who receive one often say they can’t imagine sitting down to knit without it.

10. Needle Gauge and Accessories Organizer

Needles come in so many sizes and types that keeping track of them can become genuinely chaotic. A needle gauge — a flat tool with labeled holes that let you identify the size of any needle — is a small but incredibly handy addition to any knitter’s toolkit. Many gauges also include a ruler and a small hook for pulling yarn through tight spaces.

Pair a needle gauge with a needle case or accessories organizer for a practical gift bundle. Knitter’s Pride makes a popular zippered needle organizer that holds both straight and circular needles in labeled slots. If the knitter you’re shopping for tends to lose their tools at the bottom of their bag, this kind of organizational gift will earn sincere gratitude.

A nice needle gauge costs just $5–$15, and a full needle organizer case runs about $20–$40, so this makes a great addition to a larger gift or a thoughtful stand-alone present for a more casual budget.

11. A Knitting Magazine Subscription

Knitting magazines are a wonderful ongoing source of patterns, technique tips, designer profiles, and inspiration. A gift subscription to a well-regarded knitting publication is something a knitter will appreciate every single month throughout the year.

Vogue Knitting is probably the most iconic American knitting magazine, featuring high-fashion designs and in-depth tutorials. Interweave Knits has a loyal following for its approachable, wearable patterns. Pom Pom Quarterly is a newer, UK-based publication beloved for its fresh, modern aesthetic and emphasis on independent designers. The Woolful magazine and various digital publications have also built passionate readerships in recent years.

Subscriptions generally run $25–$50 per year for print editions, with digital subscriptions available at a lower price. For a knitter who loves flipping through physical pages and getting inspiration from a wide range of designers, a magazine subscription is a low-effort, high-reward gift.

12. Ergonomic Knitting Gloves or Wrist Support

Many dedicated knitters experience hand fatigue, wrist soreness, or repetitive strain over time. Ergonomic knitting gloves or wrist supports are a thoughtful, caring gift that says you want the person to be able to keep doing the thing they love without pain.

Compression gloves designed for knitters and crafters help improve circulation and reduce inflammation in the hands and wrists. Brands like ComfyBrace and Vive make affordable, well-reviewed compression gloves. You can also find knitting-specific wrist wraps and supports at craft and medical supply stores.

If the knitter in your life has ever mentioned hand pain or fatigue, this practical gift could make a real difference in their comfort and longevity in the craft. Compression gloves typically run $15–$30, making them one of the more affordable options on this list.

13. A Swift-and-Winder Gift Set or Niddy Noddy

For knitters who spin their own yarn or work frequently with hanks, a niddy noddy is a wonderfully traditional tool worth knowing about. It’s a wooden implement shaped a bit like a barbell that’s used to wind yarn into neat skeins after spinning or dyeing. It has a beautiful, almost sculptural quality that makes it as nice to look at as it is to use.

Even for knitters who don’t spin, a niddy noddy can be a charming and decorative addition to their workspace. Paired with other fiber arts tools or a skein of hand-dyed yarn, it makes for a distinctive and memorable gift. You can find handcrafted niddy noddies on Etsy or from spinning suppliers like Ashford and Schacht for about $15–$40.

14. Knitting-Themed Apparel and Accessories

Sometimes the best gift isn’t for the craft itself but for the crafter. Knitting-themed apparel — t-shirts, tote bags, mugs, pins, and more — has exploded in recent years, and the options go well beyond the basic “I’d rather be knitting” slogan mug (though there’s nothing wrong with that if the recipient would love it).

Look for items that reflect the knitter’s specific sense of humor and style. Enamel pins featuring tiny skeins, miniature needles, or favorite knitting phrases are popular and affordable. Mugs with clever knitting puns are always a hit. Tote bags large enough to double as project bags are practical and stylish.

Society6, Redbubble, and Etsy are all excellent sources for unique, design-forward knitting merchandise created by independent artists. You can usually find great options in the $15–$35 range, making this a solid choice for a stocking stuffer or add-on gift.

15. A Ravelry Premium Membership or Online Course

Ravelry is the social network and database that the knitting world runs on. It’s a free platform where knitters catalog their projects, browse and purchase patterns, connect with other crafters, and keep track of their yarn stash. While a basic Ravelry membership is free, gifting a knitter a premium membership or contributing to their pattern purchases (Ravelry gift cards are available) is a thoughtful gesture for someone who uses the platform regularly.

Alternatively, consider gifting an online knitting course. Platforms like Skillshare, Craftsy (now part of Bluprint), and even YouTube have made it easier than ever to learn new techniques from expert instructors. A paid course on a specific technique the knitter has been wanting to learn — colorwork, lace, cables, sock knitting — can be an incredibly meaningful and practical gift. Course prices vary widely, from a few dollars for a single class to $50 or more for a comprehensive multi-lesson series.

For the knitter who seems to already have all the physical tools and yarn they need, a digital gift like this shows that you’ve thought carefully about what would actually help them grow in their craft.

A Few Tips for Buying Gifts for Knitters

Before you hit the buy button, a few final thoughts to help you choose wisely.

When in doubt, gift cards win. Knitters tend to have strong preferences about their tools and fibers, and a gift card to their favorite local yarn store or online retailer lets them choose exactly what they want without any risk of duplication or mismatch.

Pay attention to what they already have. If a knitter has been at it for years, they may already own an interchangeable needle set or a yarn swift. A quick, casual question to their partner or a knitting friend can save you from giving a duplicate.

Think about their skill level and interests. A beginner knitter will get more out of a well-chosen technique book or a beginner-friendly yarn kit than from advanced pattern collections or specialty tools. An experienced knitter, on the other hand, might love the chance to explore luxury fibers or invest in better tools.

Consider presentation. Pairing a skein of beautiful yarn with a small project bag, a few stitch markers, and a pattern card creates a gift that feels curated and personal, even if the individual elements weren’t expensive. Knitters love knowing that someone took the time to put something thoughtful together.

The knitting world is warm, generous, and genuinely enthusiastic about the craft. Whatever you choose from this list, the knitter in your life will appreciate that you took the time to find something that fits their passion. Happy gifting.