Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Giveaway: 3 Leisure Arts Pattern Stitch Booklets

by

Congratulations to Teresa!

I’m a sucker for a good pattern stitch dictionary, and I’ve got way more of them on my shelves than you’d expect for a person who sticks to basic stitch patterns most of the time.

But these books can be a lot of fun for inspiration, and this week I’ve got three little booklets by Rita Weiss from Leisure Arts and the Creative Partners, LLC, that are sure to inspire some swatching and fun knitting projects.

One winner will receive a copy of each of these three books:

Each book offers big pictures and written instructions for each stitch pattern. Each pattern takes up a full page (or more, with some) so you get a good look at how the stitch pattern looks over several repeats.

These would be great as blocks for a throw or to make a full afghan, or incorporate them into other projects.

If you’d like a chance to win these, leave a comment on this post by the end of the day Sunday, September 28. I’d love to hear how you incorporate different stitch patterns into your knitting projects, or if you’re a stitch pattern book hoarder like I am!

Thanks for visiting, commenting and sharing, and good luck!

Comments

  6. I’m always looking for new stitches and this would be a great addition for me. Thank You for a Great Give-a-Way

  9. I would love to win your stitches booklets. I’m knitting socks like a crazy woman and have been incorporating a variety of stitches in the pattern.

  12. I have knit an Irish sweater for my sister after she was a year out of her cancer treatment. She picked the pattern she wanted and the yarn and I knit it though I had not at the at time ever done cables. It took some time but it turned out OK.

  13. I’ve only ever done just basic knitting, so learning so many new stitches would be a great thing! Thanks so much for giving us a chance to win them!!! 🙂

  14. I can only do basic knitting. My mom is actually the knitter in my family but I am the knitting pattern maker (she gives me a drawing or book or idea, I draw it out on graph paper).

  16. I also am a stitch pattern book hoarder. I would love to add these three to my collection!

    JKnits51 on Ravelry

  19. I love trying out new stitch patterns on socks and washcloths, that way you have something to use or gift at the end.

  21. Oh WOW! These books are EXACTLY what I need! I have been “hoarding” printed out pages of stitches for such a long time and I can never find the one I need when I am working on a project! Last week, while designing an afghan for my mother, I needed a lace pattern and I must have printed out twenty pages before I found just the right stitch needed to finish the project- it took me hours of combing the internet! These books wouldn’t just be an addition to my library, they would be a STAPLE of my everyday knitting!

  22. I love to try different stitch idea’s and these would be fun to work with. Also I like to teach others how to knit so I could use these to help out there. Thanks for the chance to win.

  24. I definitely enjoy and use stitch dictionaries like this, and these books look really wonderful. I like to use them to find designs to either add something to what I’m knitting, or replace a design already in a pattern with something else.

    Thanks for another great giveaway!!

  29. I love stitch pattern books! They are so inspirational! I’m actually surprised I don’t have any of these!

  32. I think of myself as a new knitter, but it has been a couple of years so I should expand my comfort zone, these books would help.

  33. Right now I’m a hoarder! I have known how to knit for years but I’m still at a pretty basic level, just now venturing into more difficult knitting such as lace. Having some stitch books would be really helpful in branching out. I can envision learning swatches being turned into an afghan! 🙂

  34. If I had these books I could save the lives of several trees! I am constantly printing out new stitch patterns to try, and am going through way too much paper! I am always intrigued by new ones, and these books would help me keep them in order.

  38. I’m knitting afghans for 9 of my nieces and nephews for Christmas. This would give me some new ideas. Thank you!!!

  41. Would love to own the Aran stitch book. It would build my knitting skills to the next level. Thank you for a change to win one of these great books..

  42. I’ve been wanting to try to design something knitted and stitch pattern dictionaries would be a lot of help!

  43. I incorporate stitch patterns into scarfs – blank slate to begin with and easy to just add edge stiches to the width you want.

  45. I collect a lot of patterns but often the stitches contained within do not seem to fit that is when I go to a stitch directory online it would be wonderful to have my own directories

  46. Wow! How nice that you are giving these books as a prize.
    I’m a leftie and need books with illustrations to help me with patterns. Thank you.

  47. Actually, I’d probably give them to my friend April, who is much more into knitting than I am – I’m more of a crochet queen. She churns out the most beautiful big cuddly afghans. Of course, I’d learn a couple of stitches. I like to keep my needle-hands limber.

  48. Wow…those booklets look great!
    I love and hoard any new stitches I come across. So many ideas.fir projects…
    Thanks for the chance to win.

  50. I like making dishcloths or potholders out of different stitches. I learn the stitch and gain something that can be used in the kitchen at the same time.

Have you read?

Free Knitted Crown Pattern for Kids and Adults: A Sweet Handmade Dress-Up Idea

There’s something wonderfully charming about a knitted crown. It’s playful, useful for the dress-up basket, and just the sort of small project that gives a leftover ball of yarn a proper purpose. Much better than letting it roll around the cupboard for another three years.

This free knitted crown pattern for kids and adults combines a simple garter-stitch band with shaped triangular points. The mustard-gold colour gives it that storybook crown look, although pink, purple or woodland green would be equally lovely.

A Manageable Next Step for Beginner Knitters

The construction is the appealing part of this design. Everything is knitted flat, so you won’t need double-pointed needles or experience joining stitches in the round.

You knit the band first, then work each crown point separately over a group of 12 stitches. Paired decreases gradually narrow each triangle, giving you a small, repeatable section to concentrate on.

I’d describe this as a confident beginner knitting project. You’ll need to know how to knit, work two types of decreases, hold unused stitches and sew a simple seam. There are several yarn tails to weave in, so a little patience with finishing will help.

Three Sizes With Room to Personalise

The pattern includes three sizes, with seven, eight or nine crown points. Choose by the wearer’s head measurement rather than age, and check your gauge carefully. Yarn stretch will make a noticeable difference to the fit.

For birthdays, an embroidered initial would be a sweet finishing touch. Contrasting yarn diamonds could suggest little jewels without adding hard embellishments.

What to Know Before Casting On

This is a soft knitted crown, so expect gentle points rather than a rigid costume accessory. A springy wool or wool-blend yarn should give the shaping more support than a very drapey yarn.

The stitch calculations have been checked, but the design has not yet been sample-knitted. The accompanying image is an illustrative mockup, so the finished texture and proportions may vary with your yarn and tension.

For a small handmade birthday accessory or a cheerful addition to the dress-up box, this is an appealing idea. And if an adult needs a matching crown for supervising the royal household, the larger size has that covered too.