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Book Review – Knitter’s Know-How

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Knitter's Know-How giveaway

Congratulations to Dina!

One of my other jobs aside from writing for Craft Gossip is that I occasionally write book reviews for Foreword, a great magazine and website supporting small, independent publishing.

I recently did a roundup of craft book reviews for them, which was a lot of fun, and included a knitting book I’d like to share with you: Knitter’s Know-How: 127 Techniques Every Knitter Needs to Know by Cap Sease.

From my review:

Cap Sease covers a wide range of planning and finishing techniques in this straightforward and helpful book. Clear illustrations, sometimes photographs and sometimes drawings, show knitters just what to do to get the results they want. The book offers many options for the necessary steps of finishing, leaving it up to the knitters to determine what works best for them. For example, while most knitters are familiar with mattress stitch as a way to sew seams, Sease offers nine other options, as well as knit and crocheted edges.

The book covers project planning, weaving in ends, blocking, seams, Kitchener stitch, picking up stitches, working bands, cord and crocheted edgings, buttons and buttonholes, zippers, pockets and more, as well as how to care for your knits to keep them in the best shape possible.

It’s a great reference book for knitters of all skill levels who knit garments and want to explore ways they could do things differently and better than they do now.

If you’d like a chance to win this book, leave a comment on this post before the end of the day Sunday, Dec. 11. Tell me about the last sweater you knit or what you hope to knit next (I have a cardigan in Christmas colors on the needles for my daughter).

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

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Looking for more knitting patterns for knitted Cardigans? Check out these Knitting patterns we found on Etsy.

Specific to knitters, you can join our Knitting Patterns Only group to get, well, knitting patterns, ask questions and gain inspiration for what to knit next.

Looking for Yarn online? Check out Lionbrand our preferred source for purchasing yarn online.

 

Comments

  1. I am trying to finish an afghan sampler for myself – so that I can start knitting a nativity set.

  2. I have startitis….I haven’t finished anything lately, but the last thing I started was the first baby sweater for my twin grandsons.

  3. The last sweater (and the first sweater!) I knit was a vest from a 1980s pattern and I used a pale green yarn because I had it. It turned out beautifully except the color is a little … different. I lost weight and it is too big!

    Next sweater project planned is something quite complicated that I saw Staci from verypink.com knit. Fair Isle, steeking, intricate pattern – I can’t wait! I have some gorgeous Icelandic wool in natural colors that are perfect for this.

    I always start big.

  4. I quite often start knitting without a pattern or a definite plan, then wind up with a garment I’m not quite sure how to finish. These go into my WIPWIPWIP pile. That’s Work In Progress While I Ponder What I Prefer.

    Right now I have a sweater sitting waiting for me to figure out how to add a facing and zipper where there was no facing or zipper planned when I started. Perhaps this book could help?

  5. The last sweater I knit was entirely in seed Stitch which I ordinarily avoid like the plague. I participated in a shawl knit along with Marly Bird and thanks to her instruction and tips, I finally get how to keep my seed Stitch mistake proof

  7. I saw a link a few days ago about an owl pattern hat, so hopefully that will be something i can sink my teeth in next!

  8. I have been thinking about knitting a pink sweater for myself. I just have this caught up in my mind as to what I want. I usually make things for others and it has been some time since knitting a sweater. Lately it has been scarves, hats and afghans.

  10. I’m on the second sleeve of my first jumper – a gift for my husband! Next I want to get a handle on knitting lacey patterns for a lovely hat

  11. I knitted my first and last sweater 7 years ago for my toddler daughter. I’m currently working on mittens for me!

  13. The last sweater I knitted was for a Barbie doll. My granddaughter finds it easier to dress her Barbie doll if the clothes are hand-knitted.

  14. After my chemo hat, and a baby blanket, I will be knitting an Aran jacket. Thank you for the giveaway.

  15. I am currently knitting a Tallulah in Bella Lino. It’s my 3rd top, and I’m loving the pattern–except for the pick up and knit on the vertical edge, a combination of garter and stockinette. I am not sure I did it right. I don’t think I like the picked up edge. Maybe the book could help?

  16. Last sweater was a top down navy blue one, had bands of garter stitch round the yoke. Fitted so well that I have another one on the needles in pink.

  19. I have a wash clothe in 2 colours of cotton to finish – I sell them with my homemade soaps. Have a lovely shrug to do next

  22. I have one cardigan, one top down bulky cable knit and one sport weight bottom up sweater on needles. I vow to finish all in the new year!

  23. Last thing I knitted was a no-seams summer jacket for my toddler. It’s green and she looks gorgeous wearing it!

  24. I have a cardigan on the needles in hibernation whilst I knit Christmas decorations for my local library!

  25. The last thing I knit was dish cloths and right now I have a Christmas sweater for one daughter and a scarf for the other daughter on my needles.

  26. My last sweater was Thea Coleman’s Dark and Stormy. I’ve been wearing it a lot lately, it’s cranberry colored and very warm and cozy.

  27. I have so many things on my to knit list, I wouldn’t know where to begin! Finishing up Christmas presents now, then maybe an afghan stash-buster.

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.