Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Giveaway: Books to Help Someone Learn to Knit

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knitting booklet giveaway

Congratulations to Kristen!

A few months ago I did a roundup over at About of some books to help people learn how to knit. I’m only going to link it once but I’m actually giving away four of the booklets listed there as one prize this week:

All four are Leisure Arts booklets and include basic knitting instructions as well as patterns that are perfect for new knitters — or people coming back to knitting after a break who want to knit for babies (hey, I wrote a book about that, too!). Two of the books include video tutorial support, while the refresher book has pattern instructions for standard knitting and using the Knook knitting tool.

All four will go to one winner. If you want a chance to win, leave a comment on this post before the end of the day Sunday, Oct. 11. Why don’t you tell me who you would like to teach to knit.

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

Comments

  1. I haven’t done much knitting because I don’t feel I know enough to do it well. I would love to have these books.

  4. I am an LPC Intern and volunteer two days a week at one of the county’s crisis respite centers for people who are homeless. I spend an hour with each client who signs up to see me and they choose from two crafting activities each week in order to teach them coping skills for if they are in crisis in the future. I use your weekly newsletter for ideas, especially for nature and recyclable goods, items the clients can use when they are on the street. I would love to add these books to the art supply closet so that all residents could benefit from learning this! Knitting scarves and gloves are important for the clients for the winter, and it’s inspiring for them to be able to create items themselves.

  5. I am just learning to knit and would like to teach my mom and several friends, so we could do a knitting club.

  8. My sister in law in Scotland taught me to knit. I am still learning but can do simple items. I would like to teach our girl scout troop to knit now that they are a little older and can handle the needles (pins as my sister in law would say).

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.