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?

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.