Quick + Easy Knits to Batch-Knit for your Whole List

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One great way to work efficiently for holiday gift-knitting is to knit in batches. That means choosing one or two projects that everyone on your list will receive, and either knitting them all exactly the same or making small changes that keep things interesting for you but won’t slow down the knitting. As a bonus, this is also a great way to turn your gift-knitting process into a stash-busting endeavor.

Featured Above: Coesite Mitts by Mone Dräger from Quick + Easy Knits No. 2. All photography by Molly Stevenson.

Batch-knitting works best when you choose quick and easy projects that you can blast through, which is why we’re recommending some projects for you today from our Quick + Easy Knits collections. Each editor chose one batch-able project from issue No. 1 and one from issue No. 2. These quick and easy projects are simple enough that you can work them quickly, but interesting enough that you’ll love making a bunch for everyone on the list.

One in Every Color: Rubellite Mitts + Chalcedony Pillow

Stephanie White, Content Editor

“When you find something you like, buy it in every color.” This sage wisdom from my mother applies equally well to knitting projects—when you find one you like, make it in every color. And when it comes to cranking out those holiday gifts, having one or two go-to patterns in your back pocket that you can make for everyone on your list is the only way to survive. My favorite source for simple, reliable patterns is Quick + Easy Knits.

Rubellite Mitts and Chalcedony Pillow knitting patterns — Rubellite Mitts by Krista Ann | Chalcedony Pillow by Laura Barker

The Rubellite Mitts by Krista Ann featured in issue No. 1, have just enough interest to keep you engaged while knitting—clever short rows cause shifts in the garter stitch’s direction. The aran-weight yarn ensures that these mitts will fly of your needles, so make yourself a pair . . . or ten.

When you’re not sure about someone’s personal style, a knit accessory or garment can be risky. The Chalcedony Pillow by Laura Barker from issue No. 2, however, is a safe bet. If you’re worried you’ll get bored knitting the same thing over and over again, play with the dimensions of the pillow and audition different buttons to get a slightly different look each time. Whatever your gift-knitting plans are this season, do yourself a favor and pick patterns you’ll enjoy knitting and giving.

Bits and Bulky Batch-able Gifts: Agate Hat + Charoite Wrap

Julia Pillard, Assistant Editor

As you might know, I am a sucker for knitting hats. They’re the ultimate quick-knit, and they can range from simple and straightforward to deviously complex. So, when we began thinking of batchable gifts to knit, my mind went immediately to hats. And there is no better hat for gift knitting than the Agate Hat by designer Krista Ann! This hat, first published in Quick + Easy Knits No. 1, uses mini-hanks to create a sweet striped beanie. It’s the perfect stash-buster project, and the worsted-weight yarn means this project will go nice and fast.

Charoite Wrap by Blazenka Simic-Boro | Agate Hat by Krista Ann

Despite my love for hats, however, I’ve recently been looking forward to making some wraps and scarves for fall. If you’re looking for something a little bulkier for batchable gifts, I’d recommend Blazenka Simic-Boro’s Charoite Wrap from Quick + Easy Knits No. 2. This lovely wrap knits up quick using bulky-weight yarn and a simple lace pattern. Plus, there’s nothing quite so satisfying as making a bunch of tassels to add some extra weight to the ends!

Hat + Scarf Sets for All: Spinel Scarf + Dioptase Hat

Joni Coniglio, Senior Project Editor

Hat and scarf sets make perfect holiday gifts. And the best thing is that they don’t even have to come from the same publication! I do my best to avoid that last-minute rush to finish gifts by working on projects throughout the year (I’ve usually got a hat or two on the needles at any given time). Hats make great projects for using up the single skeins we all have in our stashes. And if I have enough yarn of a single color, I’ll often knit a scarf to match. But if I don’t have enough yarn for both a hat and scarf, I’ll use a yarn that’s a complementary color and similar weight for both projects. There are so many choices with small projects!

Spinel Scarf by Lisa Carney-Fenton | Dioptase Hat by Molly Hackett

The Dioptase Hat from Quick + Easy Knits No. 2, and the Spinel Scarf from Quick + Easy Knits No. 1, will fit together quite nicely. The classic ribbed pattern of the hat incorporates slipped stitches for a little added texture. And the wide ribbed pattern of the scarf, coupled with simple cables, means that the knitting will be quick and—well—easy!

Just One More Repeat: Cuprite Shawl + Coesite Mitts

The best way for me to get through a lot of knitting in a short time is to choose addictive patterns. For my taste, that means patterns with stitch repeats that break the pattern into small enough chunks that my brain tells me, “Just one more!” Whether it’s one more cable twist, one more repeat of a knit/purl pattern, or once more through a small lace or colorwork chart, that type of bite-size patterning makes it much harder for me to put the project down.

Cuprite Shawl and Coesite Mitts knitting patterns — Cuprite Shawl by Emily O’Brien | Coesite Mitts by Mone Dräger

If that type of knitting sounds super addictive to you too, let me recommend two patterns from the Quick + Easy Knits catalogue. From issue No. 1, Emily O’Brien’s Cuprite Shawl features simple cables and garter stitch that I know I’d find myself blasting through. Aran-weight yarn makes this a faster knit than most shawls, and if you can master knitting without a cable needle, it will go even more quickly.

A very different option, knit with simple knit/purl patterning, the Coesite Mitts by Mone Dräger from issue No. 2 are also extremely addictive. One more zig! One more zag! And before you know it, you’re racing through the gusset. For me, a big part of the appeal of this pattern is the opportunity to work through some of my vast stash of fingering-weight scraps.

Beanies, Baby: Agate Hat + Axinite Hat

Allison Korleski, Video Producer and Host of Fiber Nation Podcast

It’s all about the beanie, baby.

When it comes to building a batch of giftable knits, the humble hat is always my go-to project. Hats are quick to knit, and I can generally bang out at least 3 before I get bored. Even better? Most hats take a single skein of yarn (unless you want to get all fancy with colorwork) so they are excellent stashbusters. If you decide to go the retail route for your yarn, a hat won’t break the bank, even if you choose a special luxury yarn for a worthy recipient.

With all that in mind, 2 hat patterns from Quick & Easy Knits leapt out at me.

Agate Hat and Axinite Hat knitting patterns — Agate Hat by Krista Ann | Axinite Hat by Emily Kintigh

Krista Ann’s Agate Hat from issue No. 1 made me do a doubletake. It’s knit in an easy-peasy garter ridge…then seamed. Which sounds like a drag until you realize that the garter ridge makes sewing a perfect seam a snap. Use the mini-skein set the pattern calls for, or go rogue with a single skein of fingering yarn.

Emily Kintigh’s Axinite Hat from issue No. 2 is another simple beanie that non-knitters would love. This one is knit in the round, and the simple eyelets and regular garter ridges are totally Netflix-friendly. Did I mention it only take 1 skein?

We hope this list has you inspired to batch-knit some gifts! Do you have a small, quick and easy pattern you like enough to knit for everyone on your list? Let us know in the comments!