Quick little gift guide (of stitch markers from my own shop) for anyone who wants to buy gifts for someone who knits and/or crochets! I have hundreds of options in my shop, but these include some of the most popular items in my shop and they’re all items I personally recommend as gifts. You can message me on Etsy if you’d like more help choosing a gift, I’m more than happy to help out!
Stitch markers are little tools that help keep track of where someone is in a pattern, or to count how many rows they’ve worked. Most knitters and crocheters use them, at least occasionally. Some make them from little pieces of string or use safety pins, while others may purchase more expensive options. Many have a little collection of them, and they can be decorative as well as functional.
Why do crocheters need clip style stitch markers? Because the stitch marker needs to attach to the fabric! If it’s a ring, there will be no way to take it off the finished project, unless they unravel all their hard work or break the stitch marker.
Why do knitters often prefer ring style stitch markers? Because knitters typically use stitch markers on the needles, not on the fabric – so they don’t need to be clipped on, and a clip can get in the way more than a smooth ring when used on needles. However, knitters can and do use clip style stitch markers on their projects, usually to mark a specific stitch or to count how many rows they’ve knitted. Typically though, most stitch markers knitters use are the ring style.
Prices and availability are subject to change, and packaging may vary. If an item or option is out of stock, please feel free to message me on Etsy! If I have the supplies available in my studio, I’m more than happy to restock them for you or make a custom order.
Options that work for knitters and crocheters
If the recipient crochets, choose the clip option.
If the recipient knits, choose a ring option – the medium ring is usually the best unless you know they work with very thin yarn, like socks, or very thick yarn, like some sweaters or blankets. Knitters can also use the clip style.
A large rainbow of iridescent stars! These are cute, lightweight, and shiny. There are ring options as well as clips, so they work for knitters and crocheters.
Five adorable knitten stitch markers! These are one of the most popular items in my entire shop, especially for cat lovers.
A perfect winter themed stocking stuffer, this is a white enamel snowflake with golden details.
For someone who loves plants or gardening, this a really cute golden botanical mix.
These green and gold leaves are another botanical option, but they’re lightweight and almost look like glass.
These flower stitch markers are a similar option, and they include one of these green leaves too! They also look somewhat like glass.
This is a cute corgi with a little flower on one ear! Another perfect, affordable stocking stuffer option, this time for dog lovers.
These gemstone and brass stitch markers are Xinyi jade (which is another name for serpentine). They’re shiny and come in a variety of green shades.
Another gemstone option, these are jade! They’re a really beautiful dyed cyan color, but they may be a little heavy for those who work with thin yarns. Not to worry, there’s still a variety of gemstone options that are smaller, and therefore lighter weight.
These iridescent glass stitch markers are so eye catching! They sparkle a variety of colors and look very fancy in a project.
Options for knitters only
Tiny ring stitch markers – these are PERFECT for knitters who work with very thin needles, such as sock knitters. They’re simple and classic. They come on a bulb pin to keep them safe.
Star shaped golden brass stitch markers! These are a really fun, cute option. These are best for someone who only uses 1 or two stitch markers in a project, such as a simple hat. Using more than that can become annoying because of the points of the stars. These are also for those who use smaller needles.
Green glass beaded stitch markers with red and golden brass details. These are a cute, classic but unique stitch marker option.
They’re for small needles, like sock knitters use, and they’re lightweight. They’re snag-free and perfect colors for christmas, although there are MANY more color options available. They have an almost vintage feel.
This is a HUGE stitch marker gift set for knitters who love animals! There’s a variety of stitch marker sizes and lots of cute enamel animal charms. It also includes basic rings in several sizes, and some little golden charms like hearts and stars.
Want something else?
These are not items I sell, and they are NOT affiliate links, I do not earn anything from any purchases made clicking on them and I am not paid to share them, but they ARE items I personally use and enjoy, that I think would also make good gifts for knitters and crocheters.
A pencil case that works PERFECTLY for crochet hooks, double pointed knitting needles, and circular knitting needles. Large, straight knitting needles probably won’t fit, but most other small items will! There’s a pocket that’s perfect for stitch markers and sewing needles, a little pencil holder that can fit pens, pencils, and some crochet hooks (I keep a small pair of embroidery scissors in mine!), and it has lasted me 5 years so far with no visible signs of damage.
There’s a variety of colors, but mine is the green one pictured here.
$9-12 on Amazon, by Homecube
Blocking mats are great, especially for people who use wool yarn. They’re used to help shape a garment, especially items like lace shawls, so that the pattern opens up and looks more professional.
ChiaoGoo Red Lace circular knitting needles. These are my absolute favorite needles to knit with! They’re stainless steel, have really good points, and the cable doesn’t have memory (meaning it doesn’t stay curled up when you’re trying to use it) – it’s nylon coated steel. There’s also bamboo options and more expensive interchangeable needle sets, all of which make an amazing gift.
For knitting hats, 16″ circulars and double pointed needles (DPNs) are fantastic. Make sure to get the same size of both, though! If someone uses size 8 16″ circulars, they’re going to want matching size 8 DPNs, not size 4 DPNs.
Longer lenths are good for other things, even flat items! 24″-40″ can be great for sweaters, depending on the size, and 60″ can even be used to knit blankets!
I also love my 9″ circulars for knitting socks, but many knitters say they’re too small and can hurt their hands or wrists, so I don’t recommend getting those unless the recipient likes them.
My favorite sizes are sizes 5 (3.75mm), 8 (5mm), and 10 (6mm).
Keep in mind that these are a popular brand and can be purchased many places, including local yarn shops! Please support small businesses whenever possible, we appreciate it!
Pafason embroidery scissors. They’re little, pretty, and they come with covers to protect the points from damaging anything. They’re great for carrying in project bags.
Additional ideas…
- Yarn bowl – you can find handmade ones on Etsy, or mass produced ones in local craft supply stores. They’re useful because they prevent yarn from rolling around while working on a project, just make sure to get one that has a hole that’s open on one side, not closed, so the yarn can be taken out of the bowl without being cut.
- A handmade crochet hook! There’s some beautiful (and some weird) handmade crochet hooks on Etsy.
- Yarn! Of course, preferences in yarn material, weight (how thick or thin it is), and colors all vary, but it can be fun to pick out yarn for someone else and there’s a chance they may never have considered working with it before.
- Alternatively, give them a gift card to a local yarn store or a chain craft supply store so they can buy their own yarn, or take them to the local yarn store and pick out yarn together! Speaking from experience, that can be an incredibly memorable gift. My grandparents took me to a yarn store, bought me two skeins of fancy and expensive hand-dyed yarn, and the store owner was also the first person ever to buy my stitch markers! Don’t worry, some nice skeins of yarn are under $10 (and there’s some that’s far over $100! Although most are around the $20 mark. Make sure to check prices if you have a budget).
- A project bag – these are bags that are used to carry around a project (or several!) along with pattern pages or a pattern book, extra tools (like that pencil case full of knitting needles/crochet hooks!), and extra yarn. They’re also good for storing a project at home, so everything is safe and kept together. You can go with a standard tote bag from a local store, get a handmade one, or even one with a custom design from someone on Etsy. Even if they have a project bag already, they’ll appreciate another. Most crafters have more than one project going on at once, and it can be nice to easily keep them separate.
- A stitch pattern book – These are books that have a variety of knit or crochet stitch patterns that can be used in custom designed projects. Some people don’t like making their own patterns and prefer to follow a completed pattern (e.g. for a sweater), but others love looking through stitch pattern books and creating their own garment patterns. Books with both charts/diagrams and written instructions are the best, because some people only use charts and others only use written instructions. Some also use both, but prefer one over the other.
- A yarn winder – There’s several different types, but they’re mainly used to turn skeins of yarn (loosely wrapped, can tangle easily, may roll around a table or even onto the floor while working) into cakes of yarn (more tightly wrapped, less likely to tangle, sit flat on a surface while working). Some are as low as $15, while there’s also hand crafted wooden ones available.
- Cable needles – For knitting typically, there’s some beautiful handmade cable needles for around $15 on Etsy. I really prefer the fish hook style myself, but there’s also spiral and straight cable needle options.
- Custom tags they can attach onto finished projects – You can get them on Etsy, there’s a variety of different types but most of them say something like “Made by ___” with a custom name.
- A row counter – There’s many different kinds, and they’re used to keep track of how many rows have been knitted or crocheted. This is important to know for many projects, and messing it up can mean undoing and redoing many rows – so a row counter can help prevent that! Many are $10-25, but some can be $50 or more!
- Yarn needles – like regular sewing needles, but thicker and with a bigger hole. They’re used for sewing in yarn ends, and are important for every knitter and crocheter to have. I’ve lost plenty, so a few more (especially if they come in a cute case!) would always be welcome. Plastic is available and very cheap, but metal and wood options are also pretty affordable and generally work better.
- Along with yarn needles, a needle minder! They’re magnetic, to keep needles from rolling away or being dropped. More often they’re used for other crafts like embroidery and cross stitch, but they can be useful to knitters and crocheters too.