Handmade Gifts for the People You Love: A Lake District Gift Guide

Oct 30

2 min read

Updated: 33 minutes ago

There's something rather special about giving a gift that's been made by hand.

Every piece of Elizabeth Larsen Knitwear is designed and knitted by me here in Cumbria, inspired by the landscapes, colours and changing seasons of the Lake District.

And when I'm making something, I often think about the person who might eventually wear it. The walker who heads out whatever the weather. The friend who always feels the cold. Or the person who loves the fells as much as I do.

So, if you're looking for a Christmas gift with a little more meaning, I've put together a few suggestions for the different people in your life.

Orange and gray knit beanie with contour-map pattern over a topographic map labeled Scafell Pike; CONTOURS text below.

For the Lake District fells lover

The Contours Beanie

The design itself comes from somewhere closer to home: my husband and I collect old maps, and we have a lifelong passion for mountains. The stitch pattern comes from the map contour lines of Scafell Pike and an addition to the collection -Snowdon, so whoever wears it carries a little piece of the mountains with them. Made for summit days and windy ridges.

Shop the Contours Beanie

For the map lover - The Contours Cowl

You know the one. There's an OS map spread across the table, a walk being planned and probably a discussion about which route to take.

My Contours collection takes its stitch pattern from the actual contour lines of Scafell Pike and Snowdon. My husband, who's a graphic designer, created the original contour graphic, which I then translated into knitting.

A little piece of the mountains to take along on the next adventure.

Shop the Contours Cowl

Woman wearing a teal merino fingerless glove with two decorative buttons as she looks at the map and compass.

For the one with permanently cold hands - Fingerless Gloves

For anyone whose hands are cold even indoors, at the desk, with a cup of tea or on the phone. Their fingers stay free, so they can still type, text and get on with things.

Shop Fingerless Gloves

Smiling woman with dark curly hair and glasses stands on a fellside covered in purple heather. She wears a magenta knitted poncho with a cowl neck and a large wooden button at one side, over a navy top, jeans and walking boots. Behind her, a lake stretches along a valley between green and rocky mountains.

For the one who always feels the cold - The Wool Poncho

A big, soft wool layer to wrap yourself in. Throw it over a jumper on a cold morning, take it on a winter walk, or wear it on the sofa with the heating off.

Shop the Poncho

Smiling woman with curly hair and glasses looks down, holding the collar of her brown puffer jacket. She wears a chocolate brown beanie with a ribbed turned-up brim and a matching cowl, both patterned with old gold oak leaves and acorns. Oak leaves turning from green to russet hang behind her.

For the dog walker who still

kicks the leaves -

Acorns and Oak Leaves Beanie and Cowl

My own Fair Isle design, inspired by autumn walks and pockets full of acorns. For the person who’s out in all weathers and still can’t resist a pile of leaves.

Shop Acorns and Oak Leaves

Smiling woman in glasses and orange headband, teal puffer jacket and patterned scarf, standing outdoors beneath autumn leaves.

For the one who runs warm but hates the wind -

Headbands

For anyone who gets too hot in a hat but can’t stand a cold wind on their ears. Warm where it counts, without overheating halfway up the hill. Shop Headbands

If you’d like help choosing, or want to know what colours I have in stock, just get in touch. I’m always happy to help you find the right piece.

Jan x