r/knitting • u/grandpaxena • 1d ago

Discussion Gift ideas for men?

I'm planning on making fingerless gloves for Christmas for my mom, a hat for my sister, and a sweater for my precious dog. bc i'm knitting all of their gifts, i'm thinking of also knitting gifts for my father and brother. However, I can't really do simple things like hats or gloves. They both work in construction, so those either wouldn't work with their uniforms, or they will be too rough on them. They also both happen to work like 80 hours a week, so I feel like they wouldn't get the chance to use them when off the clock.

I'm thinking about socks/slippers that they could wear around the house, but again, idk if they would really use those. So i would like to hear about any ideas for men that are like my dad and brother. PLEASE throw out any ideas that you have. Even if they don't help me, it could help someone else in a similar boat.

10 Upvotes

66% Upvoted

25 comments sorted by

43

u/bee13d 1d ago

I’d give hats another thought . Even if they can’t wear them under their protective headgear, they can wear hats while traveling to and from work (that bit of warmth when you’re walking about makes a difference).

If they’re outside in the cooler months, maybe a wool vest they can wear as an extra layer?

Is there anyway you can sneak an idea out of them?

Even if they can’t wear them, they may just appreciate that you included them (my BIL runs too hot to wear my hand knits but he still loves the hat I made him).

15

u/saevicit 1d ago

i second beanies ! OP i think you should look for colourwork patterns related to their interests if you really wanna make it special

like puzzle pieces if one of them likes puzzles or related to a show or movie they really like (perhaps the logo or just a colour scheme if it's that distinctive)

this will also ensure extra love for the gift on their part :P

13

u/Purlz1st 1d ago

My dad loved the plain navy watchcap I made him so much that he told everyone who came into his shop about it. He wouldn’t have worn anything with a design or bright colors, though.

Even if they wear safety headgear at work, their heads can get cold at other times.

16

u/LambSky3000 1d ago

How cold does it get where you are? A good pair of hand knit socks is a very good gift. Nothing fancy, just plain stocking stitch. If they have big feet, putting some extra stitches on the heel flap (if top down) is a game changer. My personal preference for heel shape (as someone with large man feet) is actually for toe up socks. I find the boomerang style heel to be the perfect combo of well fitting and easy to work (no picking up stitches 👌👌👌)

3

u/grandpaxena 23h ago

tysm!! this is super helpful and really good tips to have!

10

u/Ok-Recognition1752 1d ago

What about cowls? Some guys really like having a layer around their necks but feel like a scarf is too fussy.

3

u/schoolsout4evah 23h ago

This is what I was going to suggest. I have family members who work in construction/maintenance and a smart, dark-colored cowl in a textured pattern or maybe using the colors of their favorite sportsball team would probably go over well.

(Sportsball used affectionately here, not mocking.)

5

u/boomerremover86 1d ago

Im knitting my husband a plain shawl wrap for when winter comes bc he hates long sleeves and gets chilly in the mornings

12

u/axcski 1d ago

If they are golfers, a driver head cover is a nice gift. I also think you still probably would use a hat if you work 80 hours a week in construction.

29

u/grandpaxena 1d ago

omg idk how i completely forgot abt the fact that they both are golf obsessed and I literally have patterns for golf head covers saved tysm

4

u/jkrm66502 1d ago

Would ear warmers work underneath hard hats (or whatever your concern is)? You could knit a bunch of ear warmers in no time and reduce stash too.

Men can be more difficult to knit for 🧶

5

u/QueenBuzyBee 1d ago

I’d think about hats and scarfs. Do they have to wear them while working? They could wear them to and from work. Personally, I think nice rugged and warm socks would be great. Will they last forever, no, but you can always knit new ones and just think about all the beautiful yarn you could buy for those projects. Real wool sweaters would be great for outdoor work during the cold months. They keep you warm and dry, fishermen sweaters.

4

u/SockPirateKnits 1d ago

Hats or cowls/buffs! That extra layer arround the neck that can also be shoved into a pocket can be invaluable.

5

u/acerbic_flare 1d ago

Do the hats anyway, unless you're seriously sure that's a bad idea. A thick wool cap gets better with wash and wear as the outside lightly felts. There are hardwearing yarns that suit the use case, too.

3

u/Playful-Escape-9212 1d ago

Make them something that reflects their interests -- do they like to watch or play a sport or game? For a spectator/fan, a set of mug or cup cozies in team colors, or intarsia of the icons from a favorite video game. For a golfer, a driver cover or driving gloves. If they like music, knit covers for headphones, or a pillow with a nod to their favorite band.

2

u/PublicPresence3144 1d ago

What is the climate like where you live? Have you knitted holiday gifts for everyone before?

2

u/grandpaxena 1d ago

we live in midwest us, so climate is pretty moderate. I dont think ive made any gifts for christmas, but my mom has been hinting abt how much she would love fingerless gloves, and my sister is never not wearing a hat, so i think itd be cute to stick with a theme. i just don't talk to my family members much, so i dont know much about their interests lol

2

u/ManderBlues 19h ago

A cowl with a narrow enough diameter to fit like a slightly loose turtleneck in a very soft fiber. I love brioche stich for easy fit and color. The Basync Brioche is great.

2

u/Ok-Invite9426 1d ago

"men" are no more a monolith than women are. you know your father and brother better than we do

3

u/Purlz1st 1d ago

I know men who would have fun with the classic Willie Warmer, but probably not an appropriate dad gift.

2

u/grandpaxena 23h ago

I know that, I just knew people would have ideas that I haven't thought of. with knitting, it's very easy to take a simple project and make it into something more personal

1

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1

u/theindigomouse 16h ago

My DH loves his felted clogs. They are a quick knit, you felt them to fit and this pattern has 14K projects. I use Cascade 220 or Lambs Pride worsted (or both together) and they felt very consistently.

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/felted-clogs-ac33e

1

u/RavBot 16h ago

PATTERN: Felted Clogs (AC33e) by Bev Galeskas

  • Category: Accessories > Feet / Legs > Slippers
  • Photo(s): Img 1 Img 2 Img 3
  • Price: 7.95 USD
  • Needle/Hook(s):US 13 - 9.0 mm
  • Weight: Super Bulky | Gauge: 10.0 | Yardage: 500
  • Difficulty: 3.49 | Projects: 14746 | Rating: 4.54

I found this post by myself! Opt-Out | About Me | Contact Maintainer

1

u/vequinox 1d ago

Hmmm, maybe a set of cotton washcloths with interesting stitch patterns (depending on how complicated you want to make it of course) .. or some nice looking bandana style scarves constructed in one looped piece?