Knitting

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Giveaway: How-to-Knit Flip Books

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flip knit books giveaway

Congratulations to kajubo!

Several years ago, I was at a local fiber arts festival and I won the fastest knitter contest, and part of my prize was this set of flip books on different knitting technique.

They’re called Flip Knit, made by Annie Modesitt, and I have four of them:

  • Combination and Western Knitting
  • Combination and Western Purling
  • Knit and Purl Increases
  • Right and Left Slanting Decreases

They’re literally flip books, which almost look like a video in your hands if you flip them right. And you can actually see a video of one here:

 

 

 

So cool, both for learning and just for having around the house to show to your knitting friends.

This week one person will win these four books.

If you’d like a chance to win, leave a comment on this post before the end of the day Sunday, January 24. I’d love to know what style of knitting (picking, throwing, combination, Portuguese, whatever) you do!

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

Comments

  1. Oh how brilliant these look! I just ‘knit’ – didn’t know there was any other way to knit.

  4. I am looking into knitting and want to learn how. I would love to make things for my new twin grandchildren!

  5. Thank you for the giveaway! I am a “thrower”; and for stranded knitting, I hold both yarns in the right hand.

  6. I’m a thrower but would like to learn alternatives; I don’t have problems with my hands now but want to avoid them in the future. Besides, variety is the spice of knitting…

  21. Continental most of the time, but throw for variety or if my fingers start cramping. I’ve tried picking, not as good at that.

  22. Once I learned the Continental-style, my knitting has gotten much faster – I like the ability to control the yarn with my non-dominant hand and not feel like I have to drop the needle every time I want to throw a stitch. >^..^<

  24. I don’t know the knitting terms you are throwing out there… These flip books are wonderful. I remember making something like that years ago in school. I have knitted mittens when my daughter was little. I also knitted a hat and sweater. It’s been awhile, but I might get back into it some day!

  26. I am a thrower, but believe continental is faster. Maybe I should try learning THAT to get through my stash!!

  28. I am a combination knitter I use Portuguese style of knitting and throwing thou I never let go of the needle to throw. I do a lot of charity knitting and sock knitting, there is nothing like a warm pair of wool socks for wearing in the winter. (fine yarn and small needles) I like learning new ways of doing things and would like to try these books. kajubo

  32. this is adorable! I actually do loom knitting since im struggling to figure out how to use the needles, ha. Would love to learn!

  36. I learnt how to knit, purl, increase and decrease from a how-to-knit book which I bought in the U.S. years ago. The book even taught me how to splice and how to knit cables and braids.

  37. I am self-taught, so I am not sure what my knitting style is. I’d guess American? I only recently learned of Portuguese style and that is supposed to be much faster (I’m slow) and easier on the body and hands/wrists, which I need, so I am hoping to teach myself that this year. It’s a goal for 2016. It takes me far too long to complete one project, so I am hoping that will increase my speed because I want to knit so many things!

  40. I don’t have a style as I have just made up my mind to learn. Years ago my mother taught me some knitting as a child but I want to learn and make some things and these books look fabulous. Thanks!

  42. I found about this page after the giveaway, but I have to say that this is an awesome idea of a little book. I had never heard the use of flip books for knitting. I am a thrower.

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.