With only a few more weeks until the holidays, it’s crunch time! Whether you’ve been naughty or nice this year, you’re getting our list of quick, easy and fun go-to gift knits for those special people in your life. These knits will fly off your needles so fast, it’ll put Santa’s workshop to shame.

At the top of Hollande’s greatest knitted-gift hits is “Lightning Fast Mittens” by Hill Vintage and Knits. She says they knit up super quick, and it’s fun to watch the yarn change colours. Whip up a pair in under four hours!

Without a doubt, everyone loves “Gaptastic,” Mona says. Its wide appeal has made Jen Geigley’s famous cowl a shop and Ravelry favourite. And any ol’ bulky yarn will do! This year, Mona used Lang’s Malou Luxe, Conway and Bliss’ Elektra and Debbie Bliss’ Roma Tweed. They knit up fast, soft and squishy! Each year at holiday parties, Mona plays a game where the participants steal the gift of the person next to them, and she says the Gaptastic is always popular.

Although they may take a little longer than bulky or super bulky knits, Corie loves to give the “Cadeautje” slippers by Ysolda Teague. Thrumming makes these slippers as warm as they are soft. Corie likes to use Alafoss Lopi combined with Corriedale or merino fibre.

Kari cranks out Cascade Magnum seed stitch cowls by the dozen in December. The lush colours and yarn heft are always a smash. Using 15 mm needles, cast on 15 stitches using a provisional method, such as the “Easiest Provisional Cast-On” found on YouTube. Then, knit 1, purl 1 every row until only one metre of yarn remains. Graft the two ends together using the Kitchener stitch for almost-invisible seaming.

 

Kari’s also smitten with mitten pattern “Back Woods Cable Knit Mittens,” by Crystal Lybrink. Any bulky yarn in neutral colours will show off the cable’s beauty and impress even the hardest-to-please on your list.

As the reigning Wolseley Wool Queen of the Quick Knits, Odessa has a lot of high-voltage pattern and yarn combos to ramp up your knitted gift output!

Jane Richmond’s “Autumn Hat” is a knit-quick hat that shows off bulky yarns well — and don’t forget the pompom! Odessa loves pairing Madelinetosh Home, Estelle Union, Debbie Bliss Roma or Berroco Peruvia Quick with this pattern.

“The Vermonter” by Abi Gregorio is warm enough for the slopes or a long winter walk. Odessa’s fave yarns for this hipster hat are Estelle’s Alpaca Bulky, Berroco’s Gusto or Borgo de’ Pazzi’s Bulky.

Odessa says she has knit soooo many pairs of the “Red is Best” worsted weight mittens. Jane Richmond’s pattern has great shape and comes in a few different sizes, so the possibilities are endless. Odessa has knit them in Class Elite Camelot, Cascade 220, Manos del Uruguay’s Maxima, Malabrigo Rios and Noro Kureyon, and she says they always look fantastic.

Gregorio’s “Drop Stitch Cowl” is knit up on 10 mm needles, so it’s done in a blink! Knit it in the soft and squishy Malabrigo Rasta or Manos del Uruguay’s Franca.

“Hannah” is just a great simple bulky hat. This pattern by Shannon Cook looks good in anything from Cascade Magnum or Malabrigo Rasta to Ella Rae’s Bulky.

The “Shea Chevron Slouch” by Whitney W is a fun hat with simple colourwork, and is extra warm. Try it in a super bulky yarn, such as Briggs and Little Country Roving.

Odessa has knit up a bunch of Amy Swenson’s “Fletcher Mittens” in Noro Kureyon. For exciting combinations, she says to garter stripe two fun and bold colours together. Noro’s Shinryoku, Kureopatora and Silk Garden (you could pair Silk Garden with Silk Garden Solo to tone it down a bit), or Classic Elite’s Liberty Wool all work well with these soft and squishy garter stitch mittens.

Finally, for the young or young at heart, keep those tootsies warm with “Hopsalots” by Tiny Owl Knits. These adorable felted slippers are easy to knit up and put together, and they have a nice finish after felting. Odessa loves the little pompom on the back. To felt, use only 100 per cent wool, such as Lett Lopi, Cascade 220 and Berroco Ultra Alpaca.

Balance your time and cheque book this gift-giving season (these low-yardage knits would even put a smile on Scrooge’s face!) with our top knitted-gift picks. Now go heat up those needles and knit the new year in.

All our best!