Every fall I have the same thought “I should start looking for Christmas presents.”  The thought will casually pass through my mind a couple of times and, given the months until December, I’ll forget about it and return to my regularly scheduled life.  By the time Thanksgiving rolls around, I won’t have purchased a single gift for anyone on my list.  The realization always surprises me and elicits a slightly panicky feeling.  With only a month to go until the big holiday, I’ll start looking for Christmas gifts everywhere.  I know I can’t be the only person out there who, despite the best of intentions, is always caught unawares by Christmas.  Last minute gift ideas can be just as difficult to rustle up as well planned gifts, but you, as a knitter, have an advantage.  You can knit Christmas gifts!

The hand knit gift has the distinct advantage of making you look really good; everyone will know that you put a lot of time and effort into that present.  The downside is that knitters are caught in a particularly difficult place if they plan on (or get cornered into) making last minute gifts, since, as we all know, knitting takes time.   Between the pressure of your looming deadline and the anxiety-ridden thought that you need to start knitting now, it can be tempting to just grab a pattern and start knitting.  Resist that urge!  The right pattern can help you finish your Christmas gift list in time, with the minimum amount of stress.  These patterns all make excellent last minute knitted gifts; they knit up quick and look fabulous.  No one will ever suspect that you totally forgot about Christmas until December 1st.
 

Countdown to Christmas: 14 Last Minute Knitted Gifts

Warm and Wonderful Knit Scarf Patterns
Cozy Knitted Hat Patterns

Warm and Wonderful Knit Scarf Patterns

Scarves and cowls are great choices for the industrious knitter.  You don’t need to obtain any precise measurements for these items—one size fits all—meaning that the hardest thing you have to do is pick out a yarn that your recipient will like.  These knit scarf patterns will make great gifts.  They’re prefect for the cold winter months, and the act of knitting a scarf will show how much you care.  You can pick out the perfect pattern for your giftee, ensuring that they’ll have an extra special surprise waiting for them under the tree on Christmas morning.  Bulky yarn is the secret to these scarves; you can knit these up in almost no time at all, and they’ll still look great.  I always think that projects knitted in bulky yarn look extra cozy, so these knit scarves are perfect for the cold months of December and January.

First Snowfall Cowl

Bulky Cable Braid Scarf

Blue Ice Winter Scarf

Bold Beginner Scarf

Tweedy Eyelet Scarf

Easy Cozy Cowl

Strawberry Jam Neck Wrap

Sunshine Scarf

Chunky Orchid Cowl
 

Cozy Knitted Hat Patterns

If you’re in a pinch for time, knitted hats are a good project.  Knit hat patterns are generally straightforward, only requiring a modest amount of time.  It’s also much easier to get the appropriate dimensions for knit hats than you might think.  Ribbed hats will have a built in elasticity that almost completely obviates the need for precise head measurements.  You can always grab a hat that already fits your recipient and measure that, if you need to be stealthy.  These knit hat patterns will make great last minute knitted gifts.  Besides being quick knits, many of these patterns have low yardage requirements and are easy patterns to master.

Fishtail Hat

Antropologie Inspired Headband

Fast Forest Green Beanie

Cutout Bow Beanie

Blushing Rose Beret