Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas
Perfect for quickie knitting.
Perfect for that one skein that has lost it’s mate.
Perfect for gift giving.
And now it can be yours! One Ball Knits – Purses by Fatema, Khadija, and Hajera Habibur-Rahman. This book features handbags, totes, clutches, satchels, and more, all from just one ball of yarn. Organized by season, you’ll find designs that complement all of your personal styles.
So, leave me a comment telling me what you’d do with just one skein or one ball of yarn!
There’s always room for one more Christmas decoration, especially when it uses yarn you already own. That’s my reasoning, anyway. Those little leftover balls that aren’t quite enough for a hat suddenly look much more promising when you start thinking about knitted baubles.
I love the idea of adding a few handmade ornaments to the tree each year. They don’t all have to match, either. A traditional colourwork ball beside a slightly cheeky Christmas pudding feels far more interesting than a tree where everything arrived in the same box.
These knitted Christmas bauble patterns include flat-knit designs, festive characters and detailed colourwork ornaments. Most are free, with a paid collection included for anyone who wants plenty of designs to work through. Some suit newer knitters; others are small projects for practising skills you already know.
The free Christmas Baubles—Knit Flat pattern from Tat’sgrans Treasures is worth a look if knitting tiny rounds doesn’t appeal. It includes three sizes and charted words such as Peace, Hope, Love and Joy, worked using intarsia. The flat construction is approachable, although the lettering adds a challenge beyond basic stocking stitch. I’d choose this for meaningful gift ornaments, particularly when one of those words suits the person receiving it.
The free Christmas Pudding Bauble by Amanda Berry has all the appeal of a festive pudding without anyone debating whether they actually like eating it. Knitted flat in DK yarn, it combines shaping, colourwork and seaming, with a little holly topper to finish. It’s best for confident beginners with some experience rather than someone learning their first knit stitch. At approximately 6 cm tall, it would make a lovely tree decoration or an extra treat tied onto a wrapped present.
The free Rudolf & Friends Ornaments by Claire Fairall bring a playful touch to a handmade Christmas tree. These character baubles are knitted flat, and the instructions include illustrations for assembly and embroidery. Hobbii lists the pattern as suitable for beginners, making it a useful option for knitters who would rather practise finishing details than stranded colourwork. The finished ornaments measure approximately 8 × 6 cm and would also look cheerful tucked into a handmade wreath.
The free Cute Christmas Baubles from Marianna’s Lazy Daisy Days turn small amounts of DK yarn into cheerful character decorations. Worked flat and seamed, they use simple shaping, stuffing and added facial details to create their personality. They suit knitters comfortable with knit, purl, increases and decreases who enjoy a little assembly afterwards. I rather like Marianna’s idea of using them on the Christmas dinner table before adding hanging loops for the tree.
The free Rudolph’s Nose Bauble from DROPS Design is a useful choice when you want a traditional ball-shaped ornament. Designed in DROPS Flora, it uses knitting in the round with increases and decreases to create the shape. Choose this if you’re comfortable handling a small circumference and want a project focused on construction. I’d make a few in coordinating colours to bring a little consistency to an otherwise wonderfully mismatched handmade tree.
The free Merry Mints Bauble from DROPS Design offers another festive option, this time designed in DROPS Cotton Merino. The instructions include working back-and-forth rows and shaping, so it’s worth considering if you prefer that approach to tiny rounds. Read through the construction before starting and pay attention to the instructions for working yarn overs to avoid unwanted holes. This would be a nice project for a knitter who enjoys seeing a shaped decoration emerge from a small piece of knitting.
The free Caorann Christmas Bauble by Sarah Berry brings delicate Fair Isle detail to a small ornament. It uses fingering-weight yarn and 2.5 mm needles, with instructions sized for an approximately 60 mm bauble insert. Worked in the round, the design includes both written and charted directions for its repeated segments. I’d save this one for knitters with some colourwork experience who want to make a particularly special keepsake.
The free 2026 Christmas Bauble by Smaatterier combines the year with two traditional Selbu rose motifs. It’s knitted in the round using stranded colourwork across the middle, with either fibre filling or a suitably sized plastic bauble inside. The charted design is listed as intermediate and finishes at approximately 6.5 cm tall. This is a lovely choice for marking a first Christmas in a new home, a family milestone or simply another year of making things by hand.
The free Christmas Balls by Mary Ann Stephens are full of colourwork detail, with optional touches such as duplicate stitch and nupps. The designer also discusses I-cord hanging loops, which give the ornaments a pleasingly substantial finish. These are better suited to knitters comfortable following charts and managing several colours than complete beginners. Follow the updated download directions in the post to find the patterns on the designer’s current website.
The paid Twenty-four Christmas Balls 2024 collection by ARNE & CARLOS includes a basic ball pattern and 24 different motif charts. The ornaments are worked in the round using stranded colourwork, with a linked tutorial to help you follow the process. Although the designer lists the collection as beginner level, I’d be comfortable knitting in the round and making increases and decreases before starting. This is the pick for someone who wants a whole collection of coordinated ornaments rather than just one small project.
Small decorations are tempting stash projects, but check the yarn weight before diving into that leftover basket. A thicker yarn can make a much larger bauble, while changing the yarn in a fitted cover may stop it fitting the recommended insert.
For colourwork, choose shades with enough contrast for the motif to show. Two lovely colours can look surprisingly similar once they’re knitted together, especially on something this small.
Smooth yarn also makes it easier to see your stitches. Save the fluffy, sparkly and slightly mysterious leftovers for a pattern where you’re confident they’ll work.
If your pattern uses stuffing, add it gradually and spread it evenly. You’re aiming for a rounded ornament without stretching the stitches so far apart that the filling shows through. For designs worked over an insert, check the diameter and follow the instructions for when to put it inside.
Give the finishing a little time, too. A neat seam, securely woven ends and a tidy hanging loop help a small decoration feel properly finished.
I’d start with a pair for the tree and one to give away. Of course, once you’ve laid out all those yarn colours, “just three” may become a rather flexible arrangement.
I have several singletons in my stash.. victims of impulse buying mostly. They just sit there. With no hope of ever actually being used. Maybe a book like this is exactly what I need to use them up! I may have to go buy this one. 🙂
I’d knit a clutch for my sister for Christmas.
The possibilities are endless. Living in a cold climate, mittens come in handy. Also, I love purses and what is one more knitted purse?
I would make a set of baby booties and matching hat from a friend that is having a baby in November. Perfect timing.
i have a ton of single solo skeins, you know when you fall in lvoe with the yarn but have no game plan…but need at least one! I am thinking, hats: fingerless gloves, tea cozies, etc…. but need more ideas!
Ahh- getting a head start on all those holiday gifts, using yarn that calls out “touch me, use me, give me!” One skein patterns are like magazines vs books – just as wonderful to read, but in their brevity comes faster results, rewards, and accomplishments!
I’ve got lots of leftover skeins from when I bought one too many for a project but never got around to returning it to the store (or couldn’t return it) so a book like this would be a great reference! I guess they could be knit into ornaments or combined to make a bigger project.
I’d love a cute little hat or cowl pattern with one skein, but I love hearing some more ideas!
fingerless mitts for wool, washcloths for cotton. that’s where most of my single skeins wind up. love to have some more ideas.
i will make every project that is presented in the book
eventhough i am new at knitting and i dont have alot of solo skeins
greetings from athens greece
What a brilliant idea for a collection! I need this book desperately!
I would make a bag…to hold more knitting projects!
I love to make scarfs. I look for pattens or stitch patterns that would be enhance by the beautiful yarn.
I have also made ipod necklaces if the yarn is real pretty.
If it a basic acrylic, I save it until I have enough to make a scrappy afghan.
I would try to knit some small carrying cases and pouches for all of the little things that go rolling around the drawers and bags in my house. E.g. pencil cases, makeup bags, etc.
I’d knit some bunting.
I’ll be moving in about a year and I don’t want to move my yarn stash! I’ve been trying to use up all the little singletons and half-skeins. I’ve been knitting baby toys lately, but I’d like some ideas for me!
It’s either use it up or find a new home. I’m a hopeless “collector” of yarn and I need some new/quick ideas to use up those skeins that I just “couldn’t leave behind” at yarn shop! I’ve promised myself that this holiday will be a “handcrafted” one and this book would be just the ticket!!
I’ve been on a slipper-knitting jag lately. It’s a Ysolda Teague pattern from her Whimsical Little Knits. But I love knitting little bags and purses too…
I love bags! I have dozens of patterns saved on my computer, but most take more than one skein. Making amigurumi is always fun too.
I just discovered that I can get a kid’s scarf out of one ball – being a novice knitter I really have not much clue! But now that I know that, I’ll be using up those stray balls to donate scarves to the school fete craft stand.
More ideas welcome!
I love single skeins which I make into skinny scarves. But I need new projects so I’m looking forward to this book!
I have so many little lonely skeins without a mate. I’m always on the search for patterns designed for one skein. I normally do scarves, little coin purses, dishclothes or something like that. But I really want to get more patterns and ideas for single skeins.
I love bags and scarves and have a TON of single skeins in my stash. This book would be perfect for me! Thanks for the giveaway!
I love quickie knits – kinda my style… especially bags!!
I like to make granny squares with left over yarns. When I get enough squares, I put them together and make an afgan. I also like to make skinny scarves.
I like to make unusual evening or day bags by knitting then felting in the washing machine- tafter this I embellish them with anything I can find. However many I make my yarn pile never seems to diminish!
Ether a bag or pot holders, depends on the type of yarn.
A loose stitch one skein scarf would be fun. Or a new project from the book.
Darla
Oooh – I love one skein projects and I love purses and bags! What a perfect book, I would love to win!
I knit up squares to use for projects later con5459(at)gmail(dot)com
I am knitting a hat right now with a single skein I picked up in the sale bin at the local yarn shop. I have several single skeins and balls of yarn just waiting for the right project. A simple scarf, maybe a little bag, wristlets, etc. Quick knits and on to the next piece.
One skein projects, for a new knitter! I’d make some coasters, potholders, fingerless gloves….Destash my stash.
With one ball I make pom pom animals with felt eyes
Whenever I hear of an event, a birthday, job promotion, had a good hair day, I want to make a gift. I love quick knits because I love to produce fast, thoughtful items for everyone. I also am a new knitter, so I love to have a project that I KNOW I will get done sometime this century!
Right now I’m working on making little vests to send to 3rd World countries where the children succumb to pneumonia so easily. One skein works well for those. Dishcloths and face cloths are good too!
I’ve been making earflap hats
for gifts this year – so if it’s a generous skein, an earflap hat… If it’s not so generous, I’ll just find another skein – there are plenty of those laying around – to go with it to make an earflap hat!!
I adore one skein projects!! Hats, skinny scarves, all sorts of things!
I’d knit clothes for my bears (I’m a bear artist)…winter is coming and they need sweaters, hats, scarves. You’d think that fur coats would be enough, wouldn’t you?! But they want to look fashionable too!
Though… if I was “needled” enough by my elder daughter I’d knit her fingerless gloves … her office is way cold in the winter and she needs to have fingers available for all the grant writing she does!
My grandmother-in-law gives me all her stashed scraps and single balls, so I have baskets and baskets of tiny balls of yarn (and I do mean balls, I roll them by hand) and I can’t ever come up with enough ideas to use them all… finger puppets, hats, scarves, socks, stripy things galore!
I love instant gratification projects! I would make something for me for a change!!
I have always wanted to make a knitted handbag. Thanks for the giveaway!
I’d make scarves for my family!
I’d knit something nice for my knitting swap buddy!
i’d start a blanket and then wait for another left over odd ball to add to it and so on till the blanket is the size needed
I am just learning to knit so any and all books would help me on my way. Hope I win this one. Looks like a great book.
With one skein of yarn I would make a cute little clutch purse to put my ever important belongings, so they won’t get lost in my back pack this upcoming school year :)If I had enough left over I’d knit one for my best friend too.
with one ball of yarn depending on which it was I could make lots of beanies. :-)vbarton24 at gmail dot com
There are a few things that you can make with one ball. One is a knitted belt for a child. Another is a new born baby cap. yet another is a koozie for a hot beverage cup.
I have been given some beautiful Celtic Cross and Celtic diamond patterns that are so pretty that I think i would either knit a motif square and frame it or make a wall hanging with a dowel rod.My stairway is empty and needs a little sunshine, you know the kind that knitting brings 🙂
carolyne