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In Game of Thrones S08E2 "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms", in the scene where

Jaime Lannister is knighting Brienne of Tarth, Jaime says it doesn't require a king to make one a knight. An existing knight can name another warrior a knight. Finally, Ser Jaime Lannister knights Brienne of Tarth and she is named "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms".

Are there any instances in the books where an existing knight gave another warrior Knighthood by himself?

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Yes. In the prequel novella "The Hedge Knight", the first of the three prequels included in the collection "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms," it is established that any knight can make a knight.

"Hmpf." The man Plummer rubbed his nose. "Any knight can make a knight, it is true, though it is more customary to stand a vigil and be anointed by a septon before taking your vows."

"The lad has the truth of it," said Ser Lyonel Baratheon. "Do it, Ser Duncan. Any knight can make a knight."

Indeed, this happens later in the story, when Ser Lyonel knights Raymund Fossoway.

This is also brought up briefly in A Storm of Swords when Arya meets Beric Dondarrion and his "Brotherhood without Banners":

"Knights?" Clegane made the word a sneer. "Dondarrion's a knight, but the rest of you are the sorriest lot of outlaws and broken men I've ever seen. I shit better men than you."

"Any knight can make a knight," said the scarecrow that was Beric Dondarrion, "and every man you see before you has felt a sword upon his shoulder. We are the forgotten fellowship."

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    It’s also mentioned several times when the Brotherhood without Banners isintroduced.
    – Paul
    Apr 24, 2019 at 20:16
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    @Paul Thanks, added an excerpt for that.
    – ApproachingDarknessFish
    Apr 24, 2019 at 20:41
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    +1 This doesn't detract from your answer at all, but isn't it a key part of The Hedge Knight that it's unclear whether Ser Arlan of Pennytree knighted Duncan at all before dying? Duncan certainly claims he did, but he is not a disinterested party ;) We, the readers, have no proof either way.
    – Andres F.
    Apr 24, 2019 at 20:53
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    @AndresF. True, we never see real proof of his knighthood. Personally I interpreted the story to be that Ser Arlan tried/wanted to knight Dunk, but was too old, frail, or forgetful to do it properly.
    – ApproachingDarknessFish
    Apr 24, 2019 at 21:11

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