Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Giveaway: Knit Stitch Dictionary

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knit stitch dictionary

Congratulations to Carol.

I am a little obsessed with knitting stitch dictionaries. They’re so fun to look through and play with, wondering what kind of pattern you might make with that stitch, and sometimes actually doing it.

This week’s giveaway is a new collection, Knit Stitch Dictionary by Debbie Tomkies. It includes 250 stitches using basic knit and purl, twisted and traveling stitches, eyelets and lace, bobbles, tucks, pleats, wrapped and dropped stitches, slip stitches, chevrons, colorwork, cables and more. Each pattern is shown in a large swatch with both written and charted instructions, so it’s a great book for learning chart reading, too, if that’s a skill you need help with.

It’s a great book with a variety of options that isn’t too overwhelming, and a fun way to practice different techniques on a small scale of jazz up basic knitting projects.

If you’d like a chance to win a copy of this book, leave a comment on this post before the end of the day Sunday June 7. I’d love to know if you have a favorite knitting stitch, or how you use stitch patterns when you knit. (I’m pretty partial to Moss Stitch right now.)

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

Comments

  1. I love books like this. I must have this for my collection. It would be greatly appreciated and used. Love your give a ways
    Robin

  2. I really like cables, but I’ve really been into lacy patterns lately with lots of eyelets. I’m just discovering stitch dictionaries and I’m already addicted!

  3. My current favorite is knitting cables. I’d love to try new stitches, so I have my fingers crossed.

  6. I enjoy experimenting with different stitches but do not really have a favourite. Thank you for the giveaway chance.

  9. I tend to love lace knitting in summer and cables in winter. This is a great book for both!

  10. I’m into knitting lace patterns at the moment. It looks like a very useful book to have 🙂

  11. I love browsing stitches…its fascinating the way people can manipulate simple ideas into beautiful complex items.

  12. I love, love stitch books, I have a stitch by day calendar that is fantastic, so innovative. Right now I am loving the embossed leaf lace stitch in a shawl pattern I am knitting, so beautiful. peace and love to all knitters…..

  13. Thank you for this opportunity!! I recently changed to knitting from crochet because I started getting stiff and achy fingers while crocheting, so I am trying to learn new knitting stitches. I don’t have a favorite yet, but really want to learn the cable stitch. A reference like this would be wonderful—one-stop shopping while I’m learning new stitches.

  14. I would love to expand my knitting knowledge. I, sadly, don’t know many so I guess I would say I like knit stitch (I know, shame on me for not really knowing more than knit and purl).

  15. I like to learn and experiment with different cable stitches, my favorite!
    Thanks, Kim Reid

  16. I love the Eiffel Tower stitch. When I was first starting out, I saw it in British stitch dictionary. I made a mess of it then and of course now, I haven’t a clue what book it was in. Searching is half the fun.

  17. Thank you for the opportunity to win. I’m just starting to venture out of the “basics”. This would be a phenomenal book to have to help me try new patterns.

  20. I am just learning so no favorites yet. I am just trying to acquire more experience and knowledge.

  22. I like and use the moss stitch and seed stitch very regularly. I would love to be able to expand on my knowledge of stitches

  23. Just finished an eye of partridge heel flap and love the texture it creates. I’ve only ever seen this texture used for heels, but I think it might make fantastic fingerless mitts.

  24. Knitting stitch pattern books are my favorite. Right now I’m only making rectangles and squares with knit and purl stitches. I felt bold when I did one with a skip stitch. My current one is a chevron pattern that looked was, but it turns out it isn’t error forgiving. Oh well. I’m still having fun with it. That’s for this giveaway. Right up my knitting alley.

  25. I like to work with cables, but seed/rice/moss is another favorite of mine. I would love to learn more ideas. Thanks for the chance to win!

  26. I love playing with different stitches. My favorite is seed, second is moss, but good old garter gets a lot done. I’d love to learn. The book would be great. Thanks for the chance!

  27. Well as if said before I love stitch collections it’s a great way to discover techniques I’ve never tried or even heard of. I love using them for sampler afghans and baby blankets

  28. My favourite stitch pattern is “Feather and Fan”. I use to stitch patterns to replace plain stockinette stitch in baby jackets and socks!

  29. I’ve got a cable stitch pattern book, and have been looking to get a regular stitch book- a couple of months ago I made up some cable swatches and framed them and think I would like to make some of other stitches, too.

    I also love moss stitch!

    thanks for the giveaway!

  30. As a beginner these knitting stitch options are endless and looks like fun.Thanks for the amazing giveaway. 🙂

  33. I would love to win this book, although I’m pretty new to it I really seem to have a knack for it and am always looking for good tips, thank you!! ??

  39. I would really like to make my own patterns and this book looks like the one to help me.

  40. I’ve really taken a shine to entrelac, but I like to mix it up a bit by adding cables or small lace or texture patterns to each square. Having 250 options right at my fingertips – WOW! Thanks for the giveaway from KittenWhiplash on Rav.

  41. I really like cable and entrelac stitches, but I’m afraid to try them.
    Maybe this dictionary would help me to overcome that attitude.

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.