There's nothing like a handmade gift. And one that is knit will last longer and have fewer calories than one from the oven.

The recent do-it-yourself trend has given a boost to knitting, and many new knitters may be ready this holiday season to apply their skills to the holiday gift list. With the season approaching, however, how can you select a project that will be ready in time?

In general, when time is an issue, experts advise selecting patterns that are done in bulky yarn and on big needles. Avoid complicated patterns or anything that requires a precise fit; instead, think scarves, hats, leg warmers and gifts for the home.

Knitting guru Joelle Hoverson, owner of the knitting supply store Purl in New York City and author of "Last-Minute Knitting Gifts" (STC Craft), says the number of yards of yarn a project requires is a good gauge of how long it will take to complete it. Chapters in her book range from "Less-Than-Two-Hour Gifts" to "More-than-Eight-Hour Gifts."

The under-two-hour category contains patterns for such quickie gifts as angora baby booties and a kerchief scarf. With two to four hours, you can knit a pair of leg warmers, a popular gift for teens and tweens, or a cashmere tea cozy, which Hoverson recommends for the people on your list who have everything. Her shop's online journal, purlbee.com, has free patterns for knitting and other needlecrafts.

Sharon Kelly, owner with her sister Kathy of Arcadia Yarns in Chicago, says she has found the time categories in Hoverson's books to be on target. For friends and family living in cold climes, Kelly recommends fingerless mitts. They're handy, she says, when working on a computer in a chilly room, or even worn over other gloves when it is really icy outside.

At Arcadiaknitting.com, she has pictures and free patterns for several quick projects, including the Carlina Cowl, a simple cabled neck warmer.

Most knitters pick up speed with practice, Kelly says, so consider making the same pattern for several people on your gift list, personalizing the knit with different yarn colors and textures.

If you want to stay on budget, check out the merino Chocolate Bar Scarf knit kit from Morehouse farms, available in a variety of colors for $36.80. Morehouse farms raises merino sheep in the Hudson River Valley. The Web site, Morehousefarm.com, offers a "free pattern du jour" and options for kits to make quick and easy gifts.

For children, Morehouse has "Critter Knit Kits," including an Alligator Scarf with bumps, a wide jaw and black eyes. The pattern is written in detail for beginning knitters.

Morehouse also offers whimsical kits for hats, mittens and sweaters.

In his book "Hat Heads" (Random House, 2009), Trond Anfinnsen offers 50 variations on a single hat pattern. For more inspiration on quick knit gifts for men, check out the "accessories" section of "Men's Knits" (Random House, 2009) by Erika Knight.

During the hectic holiday season, taking a little time to knit can also be a gift to yourself.

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