Yesterday, Mashable posted a fun infographic, What Gift Will Dad Open This Father’s Day?

I particularly enjoy the part that predicts the types of gifts characteristic of different parts of the United States. To sum up:

• Washington: Coffee machine
• Oregon: Leather belt
• California: Hiking stick
• Minnesota: Ties
• Texas: Grill tools
• Illinois: Personalized golf balls
• New York: Spa gifts
• Pennsylvania: Slippers
• New Jersey: Watch
• South Carolina: Golf shoes
• Florida: Golf gifts
• Virginia: “Father’s Day gifts” (apparently they couldn’t draw out a single theme)

This got me thinking. What knitted gifts could be made along these lines? And then, of course, I had to go out on Ravelry and look. For your amusement, here are the results of my search. Perhaps this will give you some ideas for next year.

Washington: Coffee Machine

We start out with perhaps the wackiest of the lot. Knitting in Color brought this particular item to my attention. Know what it is? It’s a knitted coffee filter. Can you imagine making such a thing? And then washing and reusing it every day? Happy Father’s Day, Dad!

Oregon: Leather Belt

I could not find any patterns for knitted leather. I suppose it could be done, though, if you had thin strips of leather to work with. I did, however find the pattern below. I think this is pretty handsome.

California: Hiking Stick

I can’t think of a way to knit a hiking stick, even with some serious felting to help out 😉 So, I turn to other hiking accessories suitable for Dad. Dad always needs a sturdy pair of hiking socks. I think these fit the bill.

Minnesota: Ties

This one is just too easy. I’ve seen lots of patterns for awesome knitted ties. Some have a vintage, 1930’s/1940’s feel to them. I can imagine them being worn by Captain Von Trap.

I also see stuff like this. Total fake out. I can’t believe that’s not from a fancy mens’ store.

Texas: Grill Tools

For the fire-bug dad–we all know one. He’s never happier than when he’s singeing huge hunks of meat in the back yard. Enjoy this grill mitt, protect your digits from the flames, and live to grill another day.

Illinois: Personalized Golf Balls

I was very surprised not to find any golf ball related accessories. No bags for holding your balls on the course (although that’s sort of a no-brainer). And no amigurimi patterns for golf balls either. It is my opinion, however, that if you can knit or crochet these scary-looking bunnies, then you can certainly knit round white balls. Perhaps they could be filled with a cedar ball and used as deodorizers for golf shoes.

New York: Spa Gifts

I honestly don’t think my dad would ever use such a set, but I bet there are Dads out there who would. And for those Dads, here are the perfect hand knit spa accessories.

Pennsylvania: Slippers

My Dad wears slippers around the house all year round, since we’re a leave your shoes and all that icky outside dirt at the door kind of family.

New Jersey: Watch

Up here in Minnesota, a lot of Dads enjoy outdoor winter sports. And the last thing you want to have to do when it’s cold out is peel up you sleeve, exposing your skin to the frigid air, in order to look at your watch. With this flexible knitted band, Dad can wear a wristwatch on the outside of his coat.

South Carolina: Golf shoes

Does Dad go out golfing wearing unsightly white socks all they way up to his calves? Protect your Dad from fashion faux pas on the golf course by knitting him a pair of short cuffed socks like these.  Make the cuffs a little higher if he spends a lot of time in the rough or the sand trap.

Florida: Golf gifts

And yet more golf gifts. The time has come to showcase the wealth of golf club patterns available out on Ravelry. For the classy Dad, knit up a set of monogrammed club covers. For the Dad who tends to curse when he misses the green, make a set of these. And for the geek Dad (I know so many) nothing can top a set of these:

Or these:

Virginia: “Father’s Day gifts” 

Not much guidance from the great state of Virginia. I did a quick search on Ravelry for generic “Father’s Day gifts” and this dish cloth popped up. Ah! Perfect!

After a long afternoon of grilling in the back yard, there will be no better way to prove your love than with this #1 Dad dish cloth. As soon as Dad has unwrapped it and finished admiring it, take it from him and leave him to relax and enjoy a beer, while you go inside to do the dishes. No better gift than a thoughtful gesture from a kid that Dad’s raised right.