I know it's early, but not really too early to start making gifts for Christmas. The resurrection of the  "Christmas Club" thread reminded me of that... but what to make? What kinds of gifts can be made for men? For families? For teenagers? Newlyweds? I mostly knit and I'm really at a loss. Suggestions? 

Lately I’ve seen a lot of ladies (adults, teens, and kids) wearing these quilt purses. I’ve seen them at several stores too and even saw them at the Christian book store to be used as a bible tote. They look really hippy (a style which I love LOL). They look like a very simple one-pocket purse and look like they are made out of a colorful quilt. Anyways, every time I see them I always think they are so cute and would be so easy to make if I knew how to sew and/or had a sewing machine. I think it would be a cute idea of something to make for teens or even young ladies.

PS. They may not be made out of actual quilting squares... that's just how they look and the best way I can describe them!

God bless,

Gigi:

I am tempted to knit one of these for Christmas, however: http://www.morehousefarm.com/KnittingKits/Scarves/Alligator/

I love that scarf - wish I knew someone who would wear it! Maybe I'll knit one anyway and give it to charity. 

Thanks for the other ideas.  

juju_mommy:

Lately I’ve seen a lot of ladies (adults, teens, and kids) wearing these quilt purses

I've seen those, too. Not sure I'm up to something like that, but if I could find a pattern, it would be interesting to see just how they're made.  

My family knows that I'm an notoriously cheap when it comes to gifts, only because I am anti materialism and I think today's gift giving, especially during the holidays, is freakin atrocious consumerism.  I rant about it every year.  This year I am going to be starting each family a tomato plant.  I got seeds for a burpee hybrid called italian ice that is a white cherry indeterminent variety that will look excellent in home made upside down hangers.  I'll have to start the plants in October to be ready for gifting in December.  I'll even install them in their sunny windows for them.  Last year I made a canned hot mix out of veggies and put together little veggie and bread baskets with home made hummus and herb infused olive oil.  They were cute.  I yard sale surfed for four months to find enough baskets to complete the project but I ended up with enough gift baskets for my entire family and only spent about $180, which left me lots of money in the holiday budget to spoil my son rotten (he got a nintendo wii and some games). 

frugal_alaskan:

his year I am going to be starting each family a tomato plant.  I got seeds for a burpee hybrid called italian ice that is a white cherry indeterminent variety that will look excellent in home made upside down hangers.  I'll have to start the plants in October to be ready for gifting in December.  I'll even install them in their sunny windows for them

Ohhh... can I be on your gift list??   That does give me some ideas. I have a couple of plants that others have shown interest in. I could start new plants early enough to give for Christmas.

[quote user="Gigi" http://www.morehousefarm.com/KnittingKits/Scarves/Alligator[/quote]

I love this scarf! LOL I bet there are some teens who would wear that. It's also nice that it looks really good and not shabby as some projects do. (my personal opinion) Let us know if you decide to get this pattern. It's cute!

Men are harder to knit for aren't they? I know my husband would love it if I would knit him a nice sweater, but I have never knit a sweater before. I plan to start one right after I make this poncho for my friend's daughter. I got a really neat sweater book from barns and noble (that originally cost $29.99) for $7. It tells you how to put differnt styles together to create your sweater and I am one of those people that, until I learn how to do it, has to be shown or told how to do it very explicitly. So, how about a vest or scarf?

For teens there are so many "funky" patterns on the internet for scarves, skirts, hats, etc...

I like Gigi's idea of dish cloths with some money attached for newlyweds. It's funny, my mom has told me for a couple of years now to make some knitted dish cloths for gifts. I think I might do that as I have a cone of white cotton dish cloth yarn. White seems like a safe color since I don't always know people's color choices for their homes.

For Families I can only think of a simple throw. Those always seem to be appreciated, but maybe you could make some personalized wash cloths for each member. Try these links.

http://www.knittingonthenet.com/patterns/motifcandycane.htm

http://scrumptiousliving.wordpress.com/2007/04/19/new-hand-knit-dish-cloth-pattern/

http://knitting.craftgossip.com/free-dishcloth-patterns/2007/06/18/

I wish I could be of more help Pat.

kabin:

Men are harder to knit for aren't they?

Yes, they are! I've made wool socks and a sweater and that's about the  extent of my ideas for him. I don't think he'd use a scarf. I think the problem is that I've already done everything for everyone that I can think of. Maybe I've just been knitting too long!

I appreciate your input.