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?

10 Knitted Christmas Bauble Patterns for a Tree Full of Handmade Charm

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.

Christmas Baubles Knitted Flat

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.

Christmas Pudding Bauble

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.

Rudolf & Friends Character Baubles

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.

Cute Christmas Baubles With Little Faces

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.

Rudolph’s Nose Christmas Bauble

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.

Merry Mints Bauble

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.

Caorann Fair Isle Christmas Bauble

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.

A Dated 2026 Christmas Bauble

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.

Colourful Christmas Balls From Two Strands

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.

ARNE & CARLOS Christmas Ball Collection

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.

Choosing Yarn for Knitted Baubles

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.

Getting a Nicely Rounded Finish

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.