Presentation is everything, so the saying goes. Spend hours making a delicious homemade lasagna from your favorite aunt's time-honored recipe, plop it on a paper plate, and hand the recipient a plastic fork. Or, spend hours making a delicious homemade lasagna from your favorite aunt's time-honored recipe, place a perfectly shaped slice on fine bone china, garnish it with Parmesan shavings and a sprig of bright green parsley, and lay it on a table dressed in white linen. Add a glass of vintage Merlot. The more thoughtfully presented lasagna will actually taste better. What better way is there to present a hand-knitted gift item than in a hand-knitted gift box, gift bag, pouch or cozy? The thoughtfulness that went into the knitted gift can be extended to the gift wrap, and this will enhance the recipient's happiness and appreciation. In Hand Knitted Gift Wraps, I explain the importance of presenting a present. Well-planned presentation adds to the joy of the gift-giving experience for the gifter as well as for the giftee. I include a variety of gift wrapping ideas, shapes, and sizes. They range in complexity from a simple garter-stitch wrapping to a more complex, stranded wrapping. There are instructions for gift boxes, gift bags, and a knitted pouch in which to wrap hand-knitted socks that becomes a wearable accessory itself after the gift is opened. I add a special knitted wrap for gifting needles or a needle gauge in addition to, for example, a gift of yarn to a fellow knitter. It gets better. The wrap itself can be re-purposed as a small project bag or a hat. Yup! A hat! Giving a book as a gift? We have knitted book wraps that become book covers or needle holders when no longer needed as gift wrap. Giving a bottle of wine? Got it covered. Who among us has cleaned up all that expensive wrapping paper after a holiday celebration and not thought about the wastefulness? We live in an age when people are growing more concerned and conscientious about environmental issues and the need to avoid pointless waste. Stash busting, another ecologically sound and responsible choice, is an important feature to consider when knitting gift wraps, as well. Use yarns left-over from other projects and turn them into beautiful gift wrappings.
