Knitting

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Giveaway: A to Z of Knitting

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a to z of knitting giveaway

Congratulations to Ella!

A few weeks ago I gave away a good collection of learn-to-knit booklets that I reviewed all at once with some other books over at About.

This week I’ve got another one for you. A to Z of Knitting is a reference book for knitters of all skill levels, covering everything from the basics of how to cast on, knit, purl and bind off to various ways to shape, embellish, add color and texture to and fix mistakes in our knitting.

It even has a bit of the history of knitting, an overview of types of yarn, needles and other supplies, and tutorials on everything from aran and beaded knitting to working in the round, Fair Isle, loop knitting, surface embroidery and much more.

Even better, the book has a lot of pictures and a spiral binding that makes it easy to look at the book and keep your place while you are working through a technique.

One copy (and I actually have a hardcover despite the photo above saying paperback) of this book is going to someone who comments on this post before the end of the day Sunday, November 1. (I cannot believe it’s almost November, but that’s another story.)

I’d love to know if there’s something in knitting you’d like to learn but haven’t tried yet, or something you were daunted by that didn’t turn out to be so bad once you tried it. Mine was probably double knitting, which I put off learning for a long time but actually isn’t that difficult if you’re paying attention to what you’re doing.

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

Comments

  1. I still need to really learn steeling and putting in zippers. This prize is awesome, thank you so much for offering it.

  3. Double knitting, entrelac and steeking are the all techniques I keep putting off, but I know I’ll get there in the end!

  5. Oddly, the thing I keep putting off is the long tail cast on. It’s easy, I”m sure, but it seems daunting. I’ve done lots of other castons, but each time I try it I get confused and put it aside. *embarrassed smile*

  8. I would like to improve surface embroidery and putting in a zip. Thank you for the giveaway chance.

  10. I would have to say making cables was pretty intimidating for me, but once I was able to learn not so difficult. I just love the results.

  11. The next thing on my list include short rows I haven’t done then yet! This book would be a great reference. Thanks for the chance to win.

  16. i need to learn how to use double point needles. I always use 2 sets of circular needles when I need double point needles. The thing I am most afraid of with double point needles is that there are no stoppers at the ends of needles to keep the stitches for falling off the needles. One of these days I will try to knit a baby hat on double point needles. I like to knit complicated lace patterns but double point needles scares me.

  17. I need to work on mitered squares that end up the same size even when I use the same yarn and needles. ( Probably the glass of wine I sip when I make some of the squares!)

  20. I would love to learn Brioche and double knitting, I just have to build up the nerve to try it. I was a little bit afraid to try DPN’s, but have learned they aren’t as bad as I thought they would be. They are a little bit hard to start with, but once you get going they are not hard at all. I love learning new techniques!

  22. There is a problem I stumbled on the other day.
    How to knit a border at the bottom of a sweater that doesn’t curl up. I mean another border than knit one, purl one.

  23. I just got the hang of using circular needles – next I would like to try cable knits, then fair isle!

  24. With this book, I hope I can overcome my reluctance to try entrelac knitting and making socks with 2 dpn.

  26. I want to try knitting a sweater and fair isle. Already bought a yarn lazy Susan for doing fair isle but haven’t attempted it yet. I think my next project is a vest, a step towards the sweater, lol.

  27. Fair isle knitting was something I put off, but then when I tried it I was pleased at how easy it was. Now I just need to practice it enough to make it look really good.

  28. I tried lacy knitting, but because of the yarn & how it knits up, I had a hard time seeing the pattern come together. I got lost several times at the beginning & finally gave up after a dozen starts. I will have to change to a different yarn & try again.

  29. I am learning how to knit via youtube and blogs and would love this book, I was amazed at how many things there are to learn in knitting, I love DPNs. Amazed at how many diff stitches there are out there or so many ways to bind on…..love it all

  39. Cables were a big hurdle for me. I was afraid I’d never get the hang of them, but when it clicked I never looked back. Now I love cable knitting!

  40. Beginner to advance, would be good to see if there is anything I have not tried and if there are better ways of explaining different technics to help teach others to knit!

  41. I’ve just started learning to knit, and just (yesterday) learned how to wrangle circulars. Maybe this would help with dp needles! I really want to make an army of socks and gloves. 😀 And how to do cables! Reading through some of the comments… I have a lot to learn yet haha.

  42. For some reason, socks are challenging and I’ve attempted to start a few times without success.

  43. I’m currently trying to learn brioche. I think it’s more the combination of yarn and needles I chose that’s hindering my progress than the stitch pattern

Have you read?

Vintage Bed Socks Knitting Pattern – A Cozy Little Gift Project With Old-Fashioned Charm

There is something wonderfully nostalgic about a pair of handmade bed socks, isn’t there? They are practical, pretty, and just the sort of project that feels like it belongs beside a cup of tea, a good film, and a basket of wool that is pretending not to be overflowing.

This vintage Bed Socks knitting pattern is one of those sweet little patterns that still feels useful today. Originally from the Jaeger Hand-Knit Series No. 44, the design features a simple garter-stitch foot, a ribbed cuff, eyelet holes, a crochet chain tie, and little tassel-style pom-poms at the front. The original pattern even describes them as “a very acceptable present,” and honestly, I don’t think much has changed there.

These would make a lovely handmade gift for someone who is always cold, someone recovering or resting, or anyone who appreciates a bit of old-fashioned comfort. They would also be beautiful as a Mother’s Day gift, a winter birthday present, a Christmas stocking filler, or a “just because you deserve cozy feet” project.

The pattern itself is delightfully simple in construction. The socks are knitted flat, beginning at the lower edge, with the foot worked in garter stitch before moving into the ribbed upper section. The decorative eyelet row allows for a crochet chain cord to be threaded through, and the finishing tassels give the socks that charming vintage look. The top edge is finished with a row of double crochet, which adds a neat handmade touch.

The original measurements list the socks as approximately 10½ inches from the top to the lower edge of the heel, with a 9¾ inch foot length, and the pattern notes that the size can be adapted. As with many vintage knitting patterns, modern knitters will want to check gauge carefully and choose a soft yarn that feels comfortable against the skin. A cozy wool blend, soft acrylic, or washable yarn would all work depending on whether you are making these for everyday use or as a special gift.

I especially love that this pattern has that “giftable” quality without being a massive project. It is small enough to feel achievable, but still special enough that the finished pair looks thoughtful. And let’s be honest, handmade socks with pom-poms are always going to beat a last-minute candle from the supermarket.

The PDF version has been cleaned up and formatted for easier reading while keeping the original vintage design intact. It also includes a modern pink mockup image and the original vintage scan, so you get both the historical charm and a fresh idea of how the finished socks could look today.

If you enjoy vintage knitting patterns, cozy handmade gifts, or quick projects that feel useful rather than just decorative, this sweet little bed socks pattern is a lovely one to add to your collection.

You can find the Vintage Bed Socks Knitting Pattern PDF in the CraftGossip Etsy store.

For supplies, this is also a nice stash-friendly project. A soft yarn from Mary Maxim or Amazon would work well, and if you make pom-poms regularly, a small pom-pom maker is one of those inexpensive tools that saves a surprising amount of fiddling.