Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Giveaway: Knitting 101

by

knitting 101

Congratulations to Andy!

There are lots of great books out there that can help people learn to knit, and Knitting 101 by Carri Hammett covers a lot of ground in a relatively short (fewer than 200 pages) book that covers tools of the trade, basics and beyond with skill-building lessons that teach you what you need to know right then to complete the project.

There’s also a more than 45-minute-long DVD (playable on a PC or Mac, though this book is a few years old so I can’t guarantee it will work with your machine) if you need to see someone doing the action to help you learn.

There are all sorts of skills included here, such as casting on, knitting, pruling, increases and decreases, knitting in the round, blocking, picking up sttiches, knitting cables, weaving in ends, color knitting, lace and more. The 22 skill-building patterns start simple scarves and more on to baby blankets, a table runner, a couple of shawls, felted bag, hat, lace curtain panels and a sweet baby bathrobe.

If you’d like a chance to win this book, leave a comment on this post by the end of the day Sunday, August 16. Since it’s back-to-school time I’d love to know if any young people in your life are headed to school this year and what grade or year they are in (mostly because my daughter is headed to kindergarten this week, which just seems insane).

By the way, someone last week commented asking if I really do giveaways because the last few didn’t have winners on them. The answer is yes (please get these books out of my house) but I also occasionally go on vacation, have a child home from school or simply let things slide for a little while. I’m sure to catch up after said little one starts school later in the week.

Thanks for visiting, commenting and sharing! Good luck.

Comments

  2. This would be a great book for me. I am just getting started with knitting, I have been crocheting for at least 10 years. I would love to learn more about knitting through this book. My little guy is not going to school yet but we are starting a mommy and me class this fall. Best of luck with your daughter going to kindergarten, I will be so sad when that day comes I love being home with my little guy! Thanks for the chance to win!!

  3. Hi! My youngest daughter started her junior year in high school. I, too, still find it hard to believe that they grow up so very fast. Hold on to those years, love them all you can.
    Thank you for this giveaway.

  5. I have wanted to learn how to knit for a long time now. I don’t have any kids of my own, but I volunteer at kids church (elementary age – this week I was in 2nd grade), and they were all buzzing about how school is just starting. 🙂

    Thanks!
    Suzanne

  6. My niece will be in the 8th grade this year and already talking about going to High School next year. I told her to enjoy this year because it will go faster then she thinks. She on the other hand doesn’t think it will go fast enough.

  9. This book would be PERFECT for my friend Jerry, who has asked me to teach him to knit so he has something to do during an upcoming 1-month hospital stay. I’m not sure he’ll be able to have visitors during his admission so I’m trying to equip him as best as I can beforehand. Thanks SO MUCH for this fabulous giveaway!!

  10. My seven grandchildren are home schooled; three in one family and four in the other family.

  12. I know how to knit but I have never gotten the gist of tension and shaping so thugs do not fit people. I would like a source not on the internet to learn how.

  16. I would absolutely love to win this book. IL trying to teach myself how to knit and this book would be perfect! I definatley could really use it, and I would too! Thank you so much for doing this giveaway. My fingers will be crossed!
    Thank you again,
    Teresa Miller

  17. I love that this comes with a DVD. Some people (including me) are more visual learners so it helps to actually see the steps!

  18. What a very nice thing to do. I became disabled and so began trying to teach myself to knit. I am surprised at my successes and frustrated with my failures!!!! A knitting 101 book might just be the help I could use. Thanks for the opportunity to enter!!!! I wish you well!

  20. My children are grown but the grandsons start back to school in 2 weeks. I so want to learn to knit – this would be fantastic.

  21. My “baby” is starting 8th grade 🙁
    This book would be great to give her a brush up on her knitting skills.

  22. my “baby’ is 31 years old. While she is a fantastic crochet-er, she would love to learn to knit. I would love to win the book for her.
    It seems like yesterday I was getting her ready for kindergarten. Where did all those years go?

  23. Learning to knit is on my bucket list when I retire and I am getting ready to do just that. My baby is 26 and I am waiting on our first grandchild. So I don;t have anyone in grade school but I do have a son in graduate school working on a Master’s in Engineering. Thanks for the chance!

  24. My youngest just graduated with her masters degree in library science! I am ready to learn some knitting basics!!

  25. I would love to win this for my sister who is just learning to knit. It looks like a great resource.

  26. I would love to win this book to give to my daughter. She taught herself to crochet ,but is having little luck with knitting . I’d love to teach her , but our craft time schedules just don’t jive????.

  27. My grandkids started school last week … junior, freshman, 8th grader. Where do the years go?!

  28. Last year was my first year with no back to school kids. I did get a bit weepy when I went shopping one day and bumped into a wall of school supplies, parents with school lists and shopping carts full of supplies. I was like whoa…I dont need to do this anymore. This year not so bad. 🙂

  29. My kids are grown, as are 2 of the grandkids. my 13 year old grandaughter is going to be in the 8th grade! Wasn’t it just 2-3 years ago, she was a toddler? They grown up so fast. Enjoy those years you have them at home.

    Thanks for the drawing.

  31. I have always wanted to learn to knit. The beginning of school is a busy time here too. We just started homeschooling and I think it can be even busier than when we went to public school, but I love it. I hope your little one is going to love school!

  32. Live in Arizona and 6 grand children started back to school at end of July. Back to school shopping gets more fun as they are in middle school now.

  34. My grand and great-grandchildren are from preschool to high school ( and some that are beyond school, of course). This giveaway sounds great. Even an experienced knitter can learn something new.

  35. Oh,I’ve been trying forever to lean knitting but I just cannot figure it out. I would love to win this book! My sweet granddaughter will be in the 9th grade this year! How fast they grow up. If I can learn knitting, maybe I can teach her and my daughter. That would be lovely!!!

  36. I would like to win this book to give to a friend who has just started knitting. I don’t have any kids starting to school but my nephew’s 3 year old son will be starting day care next week. His daughter is in the second grade. They both like books.

  37. My niece is starting kindergarten this year, she’s the first of the children to go to school! Everyone feels old (ha!) or excited, time sure flies by! 🙂 I’d love to learn to knit her some warm mittens and hat for when she waits for the bus or plays at recess.

  39. I have grandsons in South Carolina, going into middle and high school. This sounds like a good book to have on hand, thanks!

  41. I would like to get back to knitting. As for kids going back to school 5 grandsons: 12th grade, 10th, 8th, 3rd, 1st, and a 2 month old grand daughter who has already mastered wrapping every one around her finger!

  44. My grandson will be heading to school….he’s homeschooled, so I guess he won’t be going far away! 🙂 I’d love to win the knitting book.

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.