Treat Yourself: The Best Holiday Countdown Calendars for Knitters in 2023

We love the tradition of using an advent calendar to count down the days in December. Opening up that package to find a little treat each day brings out the kid in everyone. But this holiday tradition takes on a whole new meaning for grown-up knitters! We surveyed the Craftvent holiday countdown calendars for knitters, offered by yarn companies this year, and are bringing you our favorites.

So Much Variety!

Holiday calendars for knitters come in many varieties. Some are built around mystery knit-a-longs, with a bit of yarn and a piece of the pattern each day. Others are all about the yarn, with different colored mini-skeins. Some include tools and notions among the gifts, others throw in candy, tea, or other surprises. Most are designed like a 25-day calendar, but some are planned for the 12-days of Christmas. The specially designed packaging makes these calendars extra special.

If you’re considering treating yourself (or your knitting bestie) to a holiday countdown calendar this year, you’re sure to be thrilled with one of these picks.

Holiday Memories from Makers Mercantile

The Holiday Memories Advent Calendar is more than just little gifts. You’ll receive an email each day for 25 days introducing a new section of the pattern. Pattern for what? It’s a Mystery Knit-A-Long!

Each day’s numbered box contains a pre-wound ball of fingering weight wool yarn to go with the pattern section in the email. In addition, you’ll get an exclusive zippered project bag and an addi circular needle, plus 8 bonus gifts over the course of the month. By the time New Year’s Eve arrives, you can have a completed project to wear!

Twice Sheared Sheep 2023 Advent Calendar

At Twice Sheared Sheep, they know you already have an overflowing yarn stash. Their Advent Calendar is all about the tools and notions! If you’re the kind of knitter who loves gadgets and accessories, this is the calendar for you.

Among the 25 numbered boxes, you are guaranteed to find: a chain row counter, a set of stitch markers, a large storage tin, a skein of worsted weight luxury fiber yarn, a pattern by an independent designer, and 20 other useful surprise goodies. Unlike most advent sets, you have the option to order a version specially made for crocheters!

Yarn Over New York Christmas 2023 Holiday Adventures Mini-Skein Advent Set

If you like having options, the Holiday Adventures Mini-Skein Advent Set from Yarn Over New York is for you. Choose the yarn base you prefer and choose 12 20-gram skeins or 25 10-gram skeins of hand-dyed yarn. You can even choose to skip the individual packaging of each day’s gift if reducing waste is important to you.

In addition to the yarn, you’ll also find small mystery treats in the set, and you can specify if you prefer not to receive candy or scented items.

Don’t Delay

Holiday countdown calendar sets usually ship in early-to-mid November so you’re ready to go on December 1. They are produced in limited quantities, and many sell out early based on pre-orders. If you have your heart set on treating yourself this December, don’t wait until November 15^th to order!

Have you purchased a knitting countdown calendar in the past? Tell us about it in the comments!

Sandi Rosner is the technical content editor for all things yarn at Interweave. When she isn’t knitting, she usually has her nose in a book. You’ll find new technical content from Sandi nearly every week at www.interweave.com.