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

  1. I look at stitch pattern books as a subset of cookbooks. Reading them makes me happy, integrating new ‘recipes’ into scarves, afghans make me happier.

  2. I like stitch dictionaries for both reasons: to make my library more complete and best of all, I love finding new patterns to incorporate into my favorite projects – cowls!

  3. I don’t currently incorporate many stitch patterns into my knitting but I do hope to branch out into doing that. I think I would start with something simple like dish cloths and work up from there. I do love to collect knitting books and pour over them dreaming of the possibilities.

  5. I’m a stitch book hoarder. I print out stitch instructions off the internet and make my own stitch book collaborations.

  6. I’m a stitch book hoarder.I find stitch patterns off the internet, print them out, and make my own print book collaborations.

  8. I love stitch dictionaries. It boggles my mind how people find so many ways to play with sticks and strings. I love the challenge of seeing wonders unimagined emerge from my needles.

  9. I’m a beginner knitter, and I’m working my way through a stitch dictionary, making 6″ swatches of each stitch. It’s a lot less daunting than learning a new stitch as part of a whole pattern. With reasonable effort you can always get a small swatch right and you’re not messing up a big project while you learn. In addition to learning a lot of stitches with low stress, I get the thrill of a completed project every few days. Really great for motivation and growth as a knitter.

  12. So far, I’m still a by-the-pattern gal, but I love stitch books because they help me figure out difficult amateurish patterns!

  13. I love stitchionaries. Sometimes I just page thru them, dreaming of what I might make. Sometimes I knit sample swatches of various stitch patterns, particularly when I’m asking a yarn what it wants to be. And sometimes I actually incorporate those stitch patterns into FOs.

  14. I’m still really a beginner knitter but I’m already obsessed with new stitches and wanting to learn them, I’m making a sampler afghan this would be awesome to have since I’m not using a specific pattern just any stitches I like to make the right size squares. So the more options the better (I plan on making a huge afghan, more like a comforter really).

  15. I don’t have many stitch books so these would be awesome to add to my collection. I’ve started doing more designing and sometimes I have a general idea in my head but just want to add a different touch – which is where stitch dictionaries help tremendously

  16. When I first started knitting my sister told me to find my favorite pattern in a scarf, hat, sweater and mittens. Then collect pattern stitch books to change up all your old favorites for new and exciting knits! I love pattern stitch books and now I also have a favorite crescent shawl pattern and a triangle shawl pattern that I am able to incorporate and dress up these accessories, too! What a great give away! My books are very old and I would love to see the more modern stitch patterns and give them a try! Thank you!

  17. I am an aspiring knitter. My mother sat me down twice when I was young and said “I know you don’t want to learn to knit now, but someday you might be glad you learned how”. That time came when my daughter wanted me to make scarves for her out of fun fur (which is great for covering up imperfections). I would love to win these books to have incentive to try more stitches. It would please my mother, who is now 88 to know that I am still trying! Thank you for the chance to win!

  18. When you find a pattern that you like, as in the case that I did for a particular sweater, and wanted to re-make it, but switch it up a bit by using a different stitch, books such as these are a Godsend!! I’d also like to design my own sweater in the near future, and I’m sure that I’ll be able to find something out of one of these books!! I’ve also started to hoard different knitting and crochet books, because there are so many stitches that I’m unfamiliar with since I’ve started doing my needlecrafts 30 + years ago. Thank you for such a generous giveaway!!

  19. My Mum would love these. She is always trying new patterns and makes little blankets for my daughters’ dolls to try out new stitches!

  21. I love stitch dictionaries, whatever niche they cater to – cables, lace, textured, colorwork – whatever. In fact, I Just bout on on Fair Isle stitches at the thrift shop this morning! Most of what I knit is “my own design”, which is to say that I’ve taken a cable from this book, the saddle shoulder and shawl collar from that sweater, some colorwork from these magazines, and a bit of lace from the internet and turned them into something totally original. Sort of.

  22. crochet is great, so is knitting!! I have no patterns for knitting, and
    would love to start over again as it has changed a lot since I tried
    some years ago

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.