Knitting

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Giveaway: First Frost

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first frost giveawayThis book has a strange title for one being given away in the middle of winter, but Lucinda Guy’s First Frost is full of fun projects to get you and yours through the frosty months.

It’s full of patterns inspired by the folk traditions of Scandinavia and the Nordic and Baltic countries and includes socks, gloves and mitts, tops, cushions, scarves, hats, a toy squirrel and a lovely project bag (which is actually one of my favorite projects in the book).

If you’d like a chance to win my copy, leave a comment on this post before the end of the day Sunday, February 8. For a change why don’t you tell me your favorite thing about winter, since so many of us are complaining about it by now.

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

Comments

  2. Living in NC, I love seeing my daffodils poke their heads up through the fall leaves. Sorry, but it’s 60 degrees here today… And I don’t miss shoveling snow!

  3. My favorite thing about winter is when snow falls. It looks so peaceful and pretty. As long as I don’t have to drive in it, that is!

  5. My favorite thing about winter is how the freshly fallen snow will glisten like diamonds. Looks so pretty that I won’t even walk in certain places so the view isn’t destroyed by bootprints. I like sled riding too!!

  6. Favorite thing about winter…the combination of the steam from hot cocoa, the smell & warmth from a fire, combined with the crisp cool air drawn in with the cocooning texture of blanketing and a project splayed across my lap!

  7. Ground Hogs Day is come and gone, six more weeks of snow to come. New inspiration would be wonderful!

  8. I love sitting in my recliner by the picture window watching the snow fall or the birds in the trees. I sit all warm as I knit or cross stitch.

  9. My favorite thing about winter is the snow. I am still hoping to get some snow; we haven’t had any yet this season. So disappointing! 🙁

  10. My favorite thing about winter is curling up with a good book in front of an electric fire during a blizzard, knowing I won’t have to leave home for a few days!

  11. My favorite thing about winter is that it KILLS the bugs. I enjoy the pretty sparkle of new snow, the cozy feeling you get when you snuggle under an afghan with hot chocolate and watch the weather outside your warm room and the chance to concentrate on inward things, but the real joy in winter is the lack of the bugs.

  12. My favorite thing about with is sitting by a roaring fire with yarn and needles and not having to go outside. As I look at the blizzard happening outside my window… 🙂

  13. My favorite thing about winter is that the days kind of blur together and my nesting instinct goes into overdrive. That’s when I tend to redecorate, knit things for the home, and buy my wool for spring things.

  16. My favorite thing about winter is how quiet it is early in the morning after a snowfall.

  17. My favorite thing about winter is boots & lots of knitwear. I’m in northern California so, for the most part, our winters are not extreme. Not much snow so far this year.

  18. My favorite thing about winter is that I get to wear the beautiful cowls, scarves and mitts I’ve made! Now I’m working on some sweaters. Since I moved from Georgia to northern Minnesota – I’m going to need them. It was VERY cold last year here, not so much this year though.

  19. One of the things I love about winter is Snow days off from work. I always cook something special that I usually don’t have time to make and sit and knit every time I take a little brea. Actually doing that today as we woke up to 14″ of snow this morning.

  20. I live in New England, and even though I am not eager to shovel any more snow, I do love winter, especially the sunny, cold days. And I love a winter walk at dusk.

  22. Oh, goodness, there’s not much I like about winter now that I’m living in the frigid North! The best I can say is that the beginning of winter has some awesome holidays… 🙂

  23. I love snuggling up in my chair with a book, a blanket, and a cup of hot tea when it’s really cold and windy out.

  26. I love the cooler temperatures, not necessarily the snow and ice, but just having it cool enough to wear sweaters and socks without getting all sweaty! 🙂

  30. I live in Southern California so my favorite thing about winter is the rain. Just wish we got more of it. It would be nice to have a real thunder storm again too!

  31. Hi Sarah! I actually love winter as long as it’s not too cold 🙂 I like a little brisk cold that allows you to snuggle up under warm (knitted) layers.

    This books looks amazing. Thanks for another wonderful giveaway!!

  32. I don’t get snow where I live, but I love the crisp, clean, cold air. It feels good in my lungs!

  34. Ilike when you wake up to a fresh fallen snow without any tracks in it. It looks so soft and fluffy.

  36. I LOVE winter. 1st, it isn’t hot & humid summer. Then, sweaters!!! hot beverages, snuggling on the couch… Winter!!!!!!! Yessssssssssss!!

  37. I love being warm and cozy inside, knitting with a cat on my lap and a cup of tea while the snow falls. And best ever is a snow day from work, which we got yesterday. Nice.
    wahoomerryf on Ravelry

  38. Unfortunately we have not had enough winter here in California. But I am a sweatshirt/sweater girl, so I love being able to wear my favorites. And someday soon I will make a sweater 🙂

  39. I love how much fun my boys have in winter. The are definitely true swiss Canadian boys, loving anything to do with snow.

  41. I love snow and was sad that in my area we did not get our usual snow fall. Snow, winter, I want to knit, crochet, cook

  43. My favorite thing about winter is staying in the house in front of the fire! I am NOT fond of the cold 🙂

  45. who doesn’t love that diamond glitter that crisp snow gets under a full moon? Love winter and Ontario.

  46. My favorite thing about winter is… that it’s COLD!! It doesn’t bother me, if I’m wrapped up (and knitting indoors:). Thanks for the giveaway!

  47. I never get tired of watching the snow fall… from the comfort of my sofa under my favorite knitted afghan, of course!

  48. I actually like (I won’t go so far as to say love…) when the temperature dips. That’s when I can wear my hand knits without fear of overheating. So in the winter, I don’t feel guilty about having so many scarves, and hats, and mittens…

  49. One of my favorite things about winter is how it makes my normally stand-offish cat very cuddly!

    thanks for the giveaway!

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.