Gift Idea of the Week: Dot Pebbles Doll Kits

I know most of us probably don't want to think about the holiday season yet, but it will be here in no time, so from now until then I thought it might be fun to share some gift ideas that you can get for the knitters in your life or add to your own wish list.

The first one comes from Dot Pebbles, which offers cool doll knitting kits. You might remember Claire Garland's 2005 book Knitted Babes, which featured a basic doll pattern and tons of little clothing items and accessories to knit or sew. These kits are from the author and bring new personalities to the same basic doll idea.

There's the sweet and sleepy Dot Pebbles, the Christmasy Angel, funky Bea Bop, frilly Fifi and Dolly Doda, the outdoorsy type. The kit I took a look at was for Pinky Painter, a wacky, artistic girl with pink hair, blue socks and a patchwork pair of pants. Also on offer are a mermaid kit and a set of knit fish, which does not include the basic doll pattern.

What you will find in each kit is everything you need to make the doll and some basic accessories -- from yarn and needles to fabric, notions and even stuffing. The packs are a bit pricey on this side of the pond -- £29.95 is about $47 US as I write this -- but they're very cute for an all-in-one project. If you'd like to teach a youngster to knit this holiday season, this pack would do the trick, or get one for any knitter who needs a smile.