Once was a time when it was more convenient to make an item by hand than go and purchase it. Maybe you are one of those great crafters who only needs inspiration to create some timely gifts.

Here’s an idea to make for a loved one or two from Handbook of Wool Knitting and Crochet circa 1918

Knee Caps

Elderly people, or those at all inclined to rheumatic twinges,
appreciate the knee-cap, and a pair of them will make a most acceptable
gift to grandpa or grandma. No. 12 steel needles and Germantown yarn
were used for the model, which may be made more or less heavy, as
desired, by choosing coarser or finer yarn.

Cast 35 stitches upon each of three needles and knit around 30 times in
single rib–that is, knit 1, purl 1, alternately. You are now ready to
begin the gore, which may be done in single rib, like the rest, or in
basket-stitch (or other fancy pattern) as in the model.

Take 26 stitches on one needle, leaving all other stitches idle; take a
stitch from each side every time across until but 42 stitches are left
on both idle needles. Narrow at the end of the busy needle each time
until but 26 stitches are left on the busy needle. Take up 23 stitches
on the selvage at each side, divide the stitches evenly on the three
needles, and you should have the original number of 35 stitches on each
of the needles. Again knit 30 rows in single rib, bind off loosely, and
finish with a simple crocheted border of chain-loops or shells caught
down in every other stitch.

To knit the gore in basket-stitch, * purl 6, knit 2; repeat for 3 rows,
then knit 1 row plain; repeat 1st 3 rows, placing the 2 plain stitches
exactly in the center of the 6 purled stitches of previous rows. This
change, made after each plain row, gives the woven- or basket-effect,
and the pattern is a very pretty one for sweaters.

Wristers or Pulse Warmers

Wristers or pulse-warmers, are very comfortable on a cold day, and those described particularly so, as they fill the sleeve and completely exclude the wind. Using knitting-worsted, or yarn of any desired size or quality with needles to correspond, such as would be employed for a man’s knitted sock, cast 18 to 22 stitches on each of 3 needles, and knit 2, purl 2, alternately, for 35 rows or more, according to length required. Bind off loosely.

With bone crochet-hook work in straight rows from top to bottom, putting a treble in every other stitch and 2 chain-stitches between trebles; after the last treble at the edge chain 2, miss a row and return on the next.

Having completed the rows of spaces, make 2 trebles in 1st space, 3 in next, and repeat, working back and forth until all the spaces are filled. A very attractive finish is to work a row of doubles in color, making a double in each treble. With fine wool, crochet-silk may be prettily used for this finish.

A fringed wrister may be made on the foundation described by holding a pencil on lengthwise with the left hand, and with the right sewing over and over it; make the rows quite close together, cut the wound yarn open with a pair of sharp scissors, and brush lightly across it, back and forth, until the cut ends become “mossy” or fluffed up.

Now once you’ve spent all this time on a lovely handmade gift the last thing you want is for the receiver to accidentaly destroy all of your hardwork by caring for it incorrectly. Take the time to add a care label to avoid future mishaps.