Knitting

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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 would like to teach me. My husband is very ill with seizures. They don’t want TV on or a lot of noise. So I could sit with him and do knitting for our 5 grandchildren. I sit for hours, days, and even weeks with him. But it does get boring having to be quiet. I know how to crochet, but it would be great to learn something new. And I see great patterns and I want to learn. My one granddaughter wants me to teach her, once I learn. Thanks for the chance.

  2. I have been trying to teach my granddaughter and gret granddaughter how to knit without much success. I think these books would help immenslly.

  4. These books would be PERFECT for my friend, Jerry, who asked me to teach him to knit so he’d have something constructive to do during his cancer treatments! He has an upcoming one-month hospital stay and wants to be prepared to fight the boredom. Thanks for this great giveaway!

  6. One of the things on my bucket list is to learn to knit. I know how to crochet but never learned to knit. So I retire as of December 31st this year and I’m really thinking about my bucket list and what I want to do first. My first grandchild is due in February so this would be perfect! I’d love to learn to knit!

  7. I’m a breast cancer survivor and we often have fundraisers. I’d love to teach myself to knit so I can make items to donate to help this worthy cause! October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I know I won’t learn in time for this months many fundraisers, but hopefully, I can learn by next year or before!! Thank you for your generous giveaway! Good luck everyone!

  8. I would like to learn! I took a short class several years ago…but seemed to knit backwards (at least that is what the instructor told me)! I need help!

  9. Knitting has brought me such a source of satisfaction and creativity that I would love to have others join me in this activity that is so benefical on some many levels. My friends and granddaughter are constantly lamenting that they wished they
    could knit. What a delight to be able to provide them with a beginners book on knitting.

  12. I love to knit; have been knitting since I was eight years old. I’m trying to teach my daughter to knit and it’s not going so well. LOL Maybe this is just what she needs. Thanks for the chance.

  13. I want to learn to knit SO much! And
    I would knit things for my church group
    project for homeless women and their
    children…Thank you for this giveaway.

  15. OMG! OMG! I would LOVE to learn to knit!!! I’ve been trying finger knitting but I would really like to learn to properly knit.

  17. I have been trying to teach my daughter how to knit for years now and wonder if these would help to show a different way that inspires. I wonder if the difficulty is that she is dislectic.

  18. I would like to teach myself so that I can teach my daughters! My grandmother taught me how to crochet, and I have been able to pass that along to them. We have always wanted to knit.

  19. These books would help out our prayer shawl knitting group at church. The knitters come with varying skill levels. Thanks for the opportunity.

  21. I have been wanting to learn to knit. These books appear to be just what I need to teach me how to knit, and with cooler weather moving in, now would be a great time to learn.

  22. These books would be great to help the beginner knitters in my knitting groups. Thanks for a chance to win them.

  23. I’m new to kneeting. Tried basic scarf making. Don’t know much about it but want to learn for a change. Surprisingly my 11 yr. n 7 yr. showed interest in learning it, was happy for their approach And yes, definitely I’m going to teach them.

  24. My daughter wants to learn even though she is still young. And I have a friend I am already teaching to knit! She is very determined and makes a progress. Thank you

  25. My mom and sister knit beautiful things, for gifts, charity, and occasionally something for themselves. I would love to knit (we live in different states so they can’t teach me) something for them, since they are so generous with their talent. Winning these books would be great!

  29. I work for a mental health agency that serves seniors. We’re starting a knitting group for beginners for relaxation and therapy. These books would be a huge help!

  33. I would like to teach myself to knit and then be able to teach my two daughters and two granddaughters (and maybe five grandsons).

  35. I would love to teach myself to knit. I am a crocheter but am so envious of those who knit. This would be a great help!!

  36. I knit but can only do the basic knit stitch and would love to learn more have only made scarves. Would like to teach my grandaughter how to knit

  37. I would love to give one of these books to a friend of mine, who has a mild learning disability.

  39. I have several friends that have expressed the desire to learn to knit! I just need to get them together and I can teach them!

  40. I’d love to learn to knot better myself. The only things I’ve knitted so far are a couple of scarves, a pair of socks and a pair of mittens. I should learn to do it better.But if there are four books in the giveaway, I would share a half of them with my 12-year-old niece.

  41. I have knit for years and always have at least one project going. However, my older sister retired in June and wants to pick it back up after many years not knitting. We live 1000 miles apart but she’s coming this weekend for a crash course. I’d LOVE to be able to share these with her for help when I’m not around!

  43. It’s on my bucket list to learn to knit. I’m taking a class later this month at a national craft store. The more information I can get to start making baby blankets, mittens and scarves, the better! Thank you!

  45. I would like to give these to a friend who has long term health problems, is about to become a grandmother, and is trying to learn to knit for the little one. Thank you for the giveaway chance.

  46. I help out a very wonderful teacher at my daughter’s middle school with a free after-school knitting club that’s open to students of all ages and skill levels. On any given week, there are anywhere from 10-20 students eagerly awaiting our help and we love teaching knitting to all of them! Answering their questions is why we’re there, but we can only answer two questions at a time. We’d be thrilled to have beginner books available as an optional resource for students who want to find their own answer and get back to knitting!

    Thank you for offering the giveaway!

  47. I would like to teach my husband to knit as he suffers with mental illness and it is so therapeutic I am sure it would help. He didn’t grow up learning a hobby just sports which doesn’t help at our age.

  48. Who would I like to teach? Me!! I have always wanted to learn to knit but I don’t know anyone who could teach me. If I could learn from these booklets….I would be thrilled! Thanks for this chance!

  49. I have been trying to learn how to knit forever!! for some reason most books that i find automatically assume that i know knitting language and basic knitting

  50. I’ve never been a crafty person but trying to teach myself to crochet and knit. Have been unable to find classes that fit my schedule. Would love to have these!

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.