Gifts for Makers

Tools and supplies for people who knit, sew, draw, build, shoot photos or play music.

What are they into?

Knitters and crocheters

All 19 ideas →

  1. Clover Locking Stitch Markers

    Markers that clip open and closed, so they work in crochet and knitting alike. Every maker loses these, so more are always welcome.

    CloverUnder $25Stocking stuffer

    See it on Amazon

  2. Clover Chibi Darning Needle Set

    Bent-tip yarn needles for weaving in ends, in a little case that stops them from vanishing. A tiny tool used on every project.

    CloverUnder $25Stocking stuffer

    See it on Amazon

  3. Stanwood Needlecraft Wooden Umbrella Swift Yarn Winder

    Holds a hank open while the ball winder pulls from it, replacing a patient friend holding out their arms. Pair it with the winder above.

    Stanwood NeedlecraftUnder $50

    See it on Amazon

  4. Stanwood Needlecraft Large Metal Yarn Ball Winder

    Turns a hank of yarn into a neat center-pull cake in a couple of minutes. The heavy metal version handles big skeins the plastic winders cannot.

    Stanwood NeedlecraftUnder $100

    See it on Amazon

  5. ChiaoGoo Twist Red Lace Interchangeable Needle Set

    Stainless tips that screw onto swiveling cables in a range of sizes and lengths. Lots of knitters call this the last needle set they bought.

    ChiaoGoo$100 and up

    See it on Amazon

Sewing and quilting

All 19 ideas →

  1. OLFA 45mm Rotary Cutter RTY-2/C

    The standard quilter's rotary cutter with a safety lock. A useful spare, or a gift for a new quilter still using scissors.

    OLFAUnder $25Stocking stuffer

    See it on Amazon

  2. Clover Wonder Clips

    Small clips that hold binding and thick layers better than pins and never stick a finger. Quilters always need more.

    CloverUnder $25Stocking stuffer

    See it on Amazon

  3. Creative Grids Quilt Ruler 6-1/2in x 24-1/2in

    A grippy ruler that does not slide on fabric, with markings visible on light and dark prints. Quilters often swear by this brand once they try it.

    Creative GridsUnder $50

    See it on Amazon

  4. OLFA 24 x 36 Inch Self-Healing Rotary Cutting Mat

    A large self-healing mat that handles a full width of fabric folded once. If theirs is warped or covered in grooves, they will appreciate a new one.

    OLFAUnder $100

    See it on Amazon

  5. Brother PQ1500SL High Speed Straight Stitch Sewing and Quilting Machine

    A fast straight-stitch machine with a wide throat and the precision quilters crave for piecing and free-motion work. A serious step up from a household machine.

    Brother$100 and up

    See it on Amazon

Artists

All 20 ideas →

  1. Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolour Sketchers' Pocket Box

    Twelve half-pans and a brush in a small box with a built-in palette. The classic travel watercolor set, with reliable student-grade paint.

    Winsor & NewtonUnder $25Stocking stuffer

    See it on Amazon

  2. Pentel Arts Aquash Water Brush

    A brush with water in the handle, so there is no cup to spill. Essential for painting on the go and loved by people who sketch in parks.

    PentelUnder $25Stocking stuffer

    See it on Amazon

  3. Sakura Koi Water Colors Pocket Field Sketch Box, 24 Colors

    A palm-sized watercolor set with a water brush, built for painting outside or in a café. The set many urban sketchers start with.

    SakuraUnder $50

    See it on Amazon

  4. Faber-Castell Polychromos Colored Pencils, Tin of 36

    Oil-based artist pencils that hold a sharp point and do not leave wax bloom. The pencils many colored-pencil artists move to after Prismacolor.

    Faber-CastellUnder $100

    See it on Amazon

  5. Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolor Ultimate Mixing Set, 15 Tubes

    Fifteen artist-grade watercolor tubes. Together they mix almost any color. A serious watercolorist would think twice before buying this set for themselves.

    Daniel Smith$100 and up

    See it on Amazon

Woodworkers and DIYers

All 18 ideas →

  1. Swanson Tool Speed Square

    The original rafter square. Marks quick, accurate cuts and lasts forever.

    SwansonUnder $25Stocking stuffer

    See it on Amazon

  2. Titebond III Ultimate Wood Glue, 16 oz

    Waterproof wood glue that works indoors and out. They will use it up, so it is never a wasted gift.

    TitebondUnder $25Gets used up

    See it on Amazon

  3. Bosch Blaze GLM 20 Laser Measure

    Measures across rooms instantly. Handy for estimating flooring, paint and furniture, and faster than a tape.

    BoschUnder $50

    See it on Amazon

  4. 3M WorkTunes Connect Hearing Protector with Bluetooth

    Ear protection with Bluetooth so they can listen to podcasts while running loud tools. Encourages them to actually wear it.

    3MUnder $100

    See it on Amazon

  5. Kreg 720 Pocket-Hole Jig

    Kreg's auto-adjusting bench jig for quick, repeatable pocket holes. An upgrade for someone who already uses the R3.

    Kreg$100 and up

    See it on Amazon

Photographers

All 21 ideas →

  1. Giottos Rocket Air Blaster AA1900

    The rubber bulb every photographer ends up using to puff dust off a sensor or lens without touching it. It beats canned air, which can spit propellant onto glass.

    GiottosUnder $25Stocking stuffer

    See it on Amazon

  2. LensPen NLP-1 Original Lens Cleaning Pen

    A brush on one end and a carbon cleaning tip on the other, small enough to live in a jacket pocket. It lifts fingerprints off a lens in the field without fluid or a cloth that has been rattling around a bag.

    LensPenUnder $25Stocking stuffer

    See it on Amazon

  3. SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I Memory Card

    Fast enough for burst shooting and 4K video, and a working photographer can never have too many cards. SanDisk Extreme PRO is the card most of them already trust.

    SanDiskUnder $50

    See it on Amazon

  4. Peak Design Slide Lite Camera Strap

    A slim sling strap that adjusts length with one hand and detaches with Anchor Links. Far more comfortable than the logo strap that came in the box.

    Peak DesignUnder $100

    See it on Amazon

  5. Peak Design Everyday Sling 6L

    A small cross-body bag that holds a camera, a spare lens and the day's essentials, and does not look like a camera bag. Good for city walks and travel days.

    Peak Design$100 and up

    See it on Amazon

Musicians

All 20 ideas →

  1. D'Addario EXL110 Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings, 3 Pack

    The regular light gauge most electric players already use, in a three-pack. Strings are consumable, and nobody minds having spares in the case.

    D'AddarioUnder $25Gets used upStocking stuffer

    See it on Amazon

  2. Dunlop Tortex Standard Guitar Picks, 12 Pack

    Picks disappear into couch cushions and laundry at an alarming rate. Tortex is the familiar matte pick that grips well, and a dozen buys some time.

    DunlopUnder $25Stocking stufferGets used up

    See it on Amazon

  3. Hercules GS414B Plus Auto Grip Guitar Stand

    A floor stand whose yoke closes around the neck when the guitar is set in it, so it does not tip over. A clear upgrade from the wobbly A-frame stands.

    HerculesUnder $50

    See it on Amazon

  4. BOSS DS-1 Distortion Pedal

    A classic first pedal that has been in production for decades and is on countless famous pedalboards. A fair bet for an electric player with no pedals yet.

    BOSSUnder $100

    See it on Amazon

  5. Focusrite Scarlett Solo 4th Gen USB Audio Interface

    Connects a guitar and a microphone to a computer for clean recordings. The usual starting point for a home studio, and it comes with recording software.

    Focusrite$100 and up

    See it on Amazon