Crafters, creators, makers and other creative types can be tricky to shop for. There’s a lot of pressure to pick the perfect present for the friend or family member who gives beautiful handmade gifts for every occasion. But crafters thrive on inspiration, and inspiration can take many forms — leaving a wide world of great gift options to spark creativity.
Of course, another challenge is that the world of crafting supplies is seemingly endless, and picking a gift can be overwhelming. To help sort through the junk and find the best gift ideas for crafty people, we asked creative people themselves what makes a great gift for a crafter (and asked for some tips on what to avoid).
With the help of crafters, creators and makers who work across different mediums (including knitting, crocheting, sewing, painting and more), we rounded up the best gift ideas for the craftiest people in your life.
Allison Hoffman, a crochet toy designer, says that some of the best gifts for crafters are things they might not spend money on themselves. "I can go pick out yarn all I want, or one-off hooks that I like," she says, "but when it comes to splurging on something useful or beautiful, I would be less likely to take that leap."
Haley Pierson-Cox, a craft book author and podcast host, says she buys gifts for crafty people that "will continue to be useful and make them smile for years to come," adding, "That could be as simple as a high-end pair of scissors that they've been eyeing, a special set of stitch markers that perfectly fit their aesthetic or a particularly beautiful interchangeable knitting needle set that they don't really need, but would use all the time."
"If you are gifting to an intermediate- or expert-level crafter, selecting a gift of new supplies that support their favorite hobby is best,” Anna Olsen, the crafted content trend lead at Joann, says. “I have never met a sewer that does not love more fabric to add to their stash for a rainy-day project!"
Creative director and author Amy Tangerine emphasizes thoughtfulness when picking a gift for a crafter or creator. "I think that anything thoughtful and true to the style of the crafter would make a great gift. Something well-designed, handmade or even a high-quality blank journal that’s not found in too many places would make a wonderful gift."
"If the crafter in your life sews," says Mimi G Ford, a DIY entrepreneur and author, "upgrading their sewing machine is a great gift, just make sure to snoop a bit to see what features they would appreciate in an upgrade; for me, having a machine that makes great buttonholes is key and also [an] automatic thread cutter and knee lift are must haves."
"If the crafter in your life has ever mentioned turning their hobby into a side hustle, there are so many amazing gifty ways to get started," Hoffman says. "A nice planner, cute desk organizers or a subscription to a creative business coach would be the perfect jumping off point."
"Another option is something techy," Hoffman says. "Take a look at the crafter’s space. What is missing? An upgraded sewing machine? A fancy new Cricut? Maybe even an iPad to plan out designs." Ford agrees that Cricuts are popular among crafters. "A really great gift that crafters of many mediums can get use of is the Cricut Maker 3," Ford says. "There are so many possibilities. I am always amazed at the many ways I have been able to use it."
"Craft and DIY Books are always a great gift," Ford says. For those interested in sewing, her book features patterns that can be used to style over 100 looks. "It’s a great way for any maker to design and sew a wardrobe that fits their own personal style," she says, "and allows for inspiration and creativity."
Pierson-Cox also suggests gifting a light for detail work. "It really helps with accuracy and eye fatigue during all kinds of projects, and is great for all age ranges."
"There are so many hot trends happening within crochet, such as granny squares and amigurumi," Olsen says. "A basket of yarn and supplies is the perfect gift for a needle arts crafter interested in trying one of these popular techniques and expanding their creative talent." You can also look for unusual crafting materials, like glow-in-the-dark yarn, that elevate everyday supplies to something truly special.
Scissors of all kinds, like these folding travel scissors, are a common gift idea for crafters. "Everyone could use these in their handbag or backpack," Tangerine says. "They come in handy for all kinds of things and are sharp and high quality."
"Sajou sewing and embroidery needles, with their beautifully illustrated, vintage-inspired packaging, add a touch of elegance to a project," Pierson-Cox says. "They're a relatively inexpensive way to make the person receiving your gift feel like they're truly getting something special. (Because they are!)"
"I love a good journal," Tangerine says, "and it’s hard to find one with Tomoe River Paper. I love the way this paper feels to write on and watercolor on. My husband uses fountain pens and this paper is known for working really well with those."
Tangerine picked these versatile, two-tipped markers as a great gift for crafters and creators. "They come in fun color schemes and in my opinion, you can never have too many amazing markers."
"I have been obsessed with these clips since they first hit the market," Pierson-Cox says. "They're technically fabric clips, but I use them for everything from hemming and quilting to holding a pattern in place and keeping track of embroidery floss ends. There's even one holding a bag of chips closed on my desk right now."
Crafting memberships are also a great gift. "A membership to Sew It! Academy for the budding sewist is a gift that keeps on giving. Filled with over 90 courses and designed for beginners, this gift is an educational gem," Ford says.
"If there’s one thing that I have loved getting in the mail every month since 2017," Tangerine says, "it’s this sticker subscription. They also have one for kids too, which my kids love and occasionally will share with me."
"Craft kits are a smart choice for novice crafters," Olsen says. "Kits provide all the supplies needed to do that project and are a wonderful way to try something new with little financial investment." However, keep in mind that kits are truly best for young crafters, or for those entirely new to the craft itself. "If the recipient has been crafting for years," Hoffman says, "they probably won’t have much use for craft kits geared towards beginners. That gift will either be regifted or donated. Count on it."
"Embroidery scissors are one of my favorite gift items," Pierson-Cox says. "They're infinitely useful, and they come in just about every color/shape/theme you can imagine. They're great for making a gift feel personal and fun."
"Something I’m personally hoping to get," Hoffman says, "is a massage. So many crafts take a toll on your body. Back, neck, shoulders, hands — they all tense up without us even noticing when we are in our creative little worlds." Another turn on the gift of massage is to give a massager like the LiBa Back and Neck Massager.
When in doubt, Ford says, give a gift card. "I know gift cards sound like an easy way out, but crafters and makers generally create based on what inspires them and that can change often, so allowing them to buy what they need specifically is very much appreciated."
Pierson-Cox agrees, "I feel like gift certificates, and specifically gift certificates to specialty stores, are highly underrated. There are so many treasures just waiting to be discovered in local shops, and gift certificates are a fantastic invitation for crafters to linger a bit longer and dream a bit more." Elevate the gift by presenting it in a personalized card holder that the recipient can use long after the money has been spent.