4 handmade gift ideas 2025: Knit and crochet patterns
When it comes to holiday gifting, nothing says thoughtful like something handmade. Whether you're a knitter, crocheter, or love a little of both, making gifts by hand adds heart and intention you simply can’t buy in a store. So today, I’m sharing four of my own knitting and crochet patterns that I believe make perfect handmade gifts that are practical and fun to create.
These designs are beginner-friendly (or relaxing makes for more experienced makers), work wonderfully with stash or newly purchased yarn, and are the kind of gifts people actually use and love. From cozy socks to stylish bags, each one is designed to be both enjoyable for you to make and special for someone to receive.
If you’ve been thinking about gifting handmade this year, or simply want an excuse to make something lovely, these patterns are a great place to start. Let’s dive in!
Interested in more gift ideas? Check out these other blog posts:
For more ideas, visit my blog archive
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This size-inclusive, crochet mesh top is surprisingly quick to make. Worked bottom up, using DK weight crochet yarn the double crochet mesh stitches make it a satisfying project.
It’s a versatile top that’s the perfect beach cover-up and top for dinner and drinks. I made a sequin version holding one strand of fingering weight yarn and one strand of sequin yarn.
This a great project for beginner crocheters too, I even have a video tutorial to use along side the pattern.
For more details and to purchase the pattern click here.
Gastown top
Designed with ease and simplicity in mind, the Journey hat and cowl are part of a collection that are intended to be simple, quick projects that you can take on-the-go and not have to worry about forgetting where you are, or closely follow a pattern. The stitch repeats are memorable enough to be relaxing.
Each pattern uses less than a skein of DK weight yarn. The cowl is one size, while the hat is written to three adult sizes.
If you have a bit of time, you might want to take a look at the Journey socks too!
3. Salt Spring bags
I was first inspired to make these bags after seeing THAT designer bag last summer. I saw it, saw the price ($2700 CAD) and I had the classic crafter thought “I can make that”. Of course, my designs are just inspired by that bag, but I’m glad it gave me the inspiration.
The pattern gives you the instructions for all three bags. They are crocheted with worsted weight cotton and the bottle holder and cell phone holder are particularly quick to make, so if you’re in a real pinch, they would be great last minute hand made gifts!
If you want to see just how long it took me to crochet the phone holder, you can watch my video on the whole design process.
These socks are for those who love the city! Inspired by the bold lines and intricate details of city skylines, the Downtown Socks bring a modern, urban flair to your knitting repertoire.
This patten is also great if you have really small balls of scrap yarn laying around in your stash. The vertical lines of the colour work use a maximum of 5 grams each.
If you’re really short on time, but want to make socks, you could skip the calf section and just do the ribbing and move straight on to the heel section for some ankle socks!
Graded to four adult sizes, you can find more details on the pattern page.
Interested in more gift ideas? Check out these other blog posts:
For more ideas, visit my blog archive
Subscribe to my newsletter to keep up with all things Wander and Create with Emma