The final Holiday Gift Guide in our 2019 series comes from the wonderful folks at Downtown Knits in beautiful, historic downtown Apex, NC.  Downtown Knits has been a community gathering space for knitters, sewists and stitchers for over 9 years. Michelle, Rachel and Nikki have put together a wonderful gift guide filled with ideas for giving the gift of self-care, something very important that can sometimes be forgotten during this busy time of year! 

In the lead up to the holidays, we make for our family, friends, neighbors, childrens' teachers, and others close to us. We cook, we clean, we knit, we sew late at night to get ready and complete our gift projects on time. In all of that work, it's easy to forget about ourselves!  

Coco Knits Leather Handle Kit

We makers can never have enough bags! This kit includes natural, vegetable-tanned leather straps, plus cords and "washers" to attach them to your bag. Use the enclosed instructions to sew a bag, or head over to Ravelry for the knitted pattern. Nikki has made both!

Varsity MAKER Letters

Show yourself off with these cute varsity style letters, made of sturdily mounted white chenille. Adorn a handmade bag like Nikki did, or join Rachel in stitching a set across the front of a Toaster Sweater.

Potholder Loom Kit

Raise your hand if you remember these from summer camp! From our friends at Harrisville Designs, kits include a made-to-last metal loom, enough cotton loops to make two potholders, hooks for weaving and finishing, and booklets with instructions and patterns. Available in Classic 7" and Pro 10" sizes, these are a great way to relive your childhood with your own little ones. The cotton loops are made right here in North Carolina.

Punch Needle Kit

Punch needle is Michele's new obsession - a satisfying way to make art with your leftovers and mini skeins! Kit includes three pieces of monks cloth, a 9" plastic hoop to keep things supported while you punch, and four mini skeins of Harrisville Turbine. Suitable for use with the Amy Oxford #10 Punch Needle, sold separately. Looking for specific yarn colors? Give us a call or put it in the notes.

lack Sheep Goods Learn to Weave Kit

Pop out the pieces, smooth out those rough edges with included sandpaper, grab that bin of leftover yarn and fabric (we know you have one!), and get weaving! Kit includes loom and tools, dowel for hanging your masterpiece, and beautifully photographed instruction booklet. 

Indigo Dye Kit

Dye clothes, pillowcases, project bags - the possibilities are endless. Kit includes dye, latex gloves, wood blocks & sticks, and a yard of white quilting cotton to get you started. Experiment with rocks, buttons, binder clips, and more! Start the new year with a blank slate, then dye it blue.

Thank you so much us, Claudia! We invite all of you to gather with us at the shop for classes and social making!

~ Michelle, Rachel & Nikki from Downtown Knits

A big thanks to the wonderful ladies at Downtown Knits for putting together this guide for us. If you are in the area, be sure to visit DTK this weekend and pick up something special for yourself. Check out their wide selection of classeswhile you are there too! (If you are not local - don't worry! All of the provided links will take you to their online shop and they are happy to ship your order to you.)

We hope you have enjoyed the Holiday Gift Guide series. We wish you a very happy holiday season and look forward to all that 2020 has to bring!