• Home
  • Suggest A DIY
  • DIY Newsletter

Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

  • About CraftGossip
  • Our Network
    • Bath & Body Crafts
    • Candle Making Ideas
    • Crochet Ideas
    • Cross Stitch
    • Edible Crafts
    • Felting Patterns
    • Glass Art
    • Home & Garden Ideas
    • Indie Crafts
    • Jewelry Making
    • Kids Crafts
    • Knitting Patterns
    • Lesson Plans
    • Needlework
    • Party Ideas
    • Polymer Clay
    • Quilting Ideas
    • Recycled Crafts
    • Scrapbooking
    • Sewing Patterns
    • Card Making
    • DIY Weddings
    • Not Craft Ideas
  • Giveaways
  • Roundups
  • Store
  • Search

Giveaway: Knitting Know-How

June 13, 2016 by Sarah White

Knitting know-how giveaway

Congratulations, Heidi!

It seems like people are always interested in general knowledge books about knitting. Whether we are new knitters (or knitting hopefuls!) or people who have a lot of knitting skills but want to know if there’s a better way to do something, I think most knitters have a few reference books on their shelves. The Internet can tell us a lot, but sometimes it’s nice to have a book close when you need to know how to make a short row or turn a cable.

The book Knitting Know-How: Techniques, Lessons and Projects for Every Knitter’s Library by Dorothy T. Ratigan and Judith Durant is a good reference for knitters of a variety of skill levels. It’s a big book, but at 270 pages it isn’t so big that it’s overwhelming. It also includes a lot of large pictures, which make it easy to see what’s going on in tutorials and swatches.

And it covers a wide variety of things a knitter would want to know, from the basics of yarn and needles to reading patterns, forming stitches, casting on, binding off, shaping, working flat and in the round. It also looks at a variety of color knitting, cable and lace techniques, knitting with beads and how to plan and design garments. There are also eight project lessons that help you use your new skills as you read.

I’m giving away a copy of this book this week. If you’d like a chance to win, leave a comment on this post by the end of the day Sunday, June 19. I’d love to know what skill level you consider yourself, whether complete beginner or truly advanced. (I’m pretty advanced, but I still mess up when I try to knit lace, pretty much every time.)

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

Save

«
»

Comments

  1. Debbie Richardson says

    June 13, 2016 at 10:45 am

    I would like to win this book! I would consider myself a competent beginner. ????

  2. Chris Baker Cox says

    June 13, 2016 at 11:13 am

    I need all the help I can get. I am a beginner.

  3. Jennifer Aubin says

    June 13, 2016 at 11:20 am

    I would love to have this book! I consider myself just a tiny bit above beginner!

  4. Mary Helene says

    June 13, 2016 at 11:20 am

    Wonderful book, would love to add it to my knitting library.

  5. sbabettew says

    June 13, 2016 at 11:22 am

    I am a complete beginner! I’ve been trying for years to get this down. One of my co-workers tried helping me and I can do the basics. However, I cannot seem to keep my stitches loose enough consistently. If this book could guide me through this issue, I would love to win it.

  6. Margie says

    June 13, 2016 at 11:22 am

    This looks like a book that would be of great help as I teach my cousin to knit! I’m a pretty advanced knitter myself but some things…like short rows…still scare me.

  7. Lee says

    June 13, 2016 at 11:30 am

    I would say I am an intermediate beginner – still have lots I can learn! thanks!

  8. Marilyn says

    June 13, 2016 at 11:32 am

    I’m in the intermediate category and always like new ways to do things. Sounds like a good book!

  9. KnittingGG says

    June 13, 2016 at 11:33 am

    Could you ever know too much about knitting? Sometimes, just reading a book on knitting will iron out the wrinkles in a bad day!\

  10. C says

    June 13, 2016 at 11:34 am

    I have been knitting less than a year. I think this book will help me advance in my knitting skills. Thank you.

  11. Layne Lanpher says

    June 13, 2016 at 11:34 am

    I am a new needle knitter, but I have been loom knitting for about 10 years. I would like to learn more needle knitting so I can try socks.

  12. Michele says

    June 13, 2016 at 11:37 am

    I am experienced as a knitter but only know the basics. This book woul be helpful.

  13. Theresa says

    June 13, 2016 at 11:40 am

    I am a complete beginner knitting–only know the basic knit and purl. I can not seem to get the hang of picking up a dropped stitch, so I have to totally rip out a project if I drop one.
    Need all the help I can get.

  14. Rhonda says

    June 13, 2016 at 11:41 am

    I’m a new knitter, I have knit a few scarfs and a little baby sweater which was NOT easy. I think, I bit off more than I could chew.. lol
    I would to learn more… 🙂 Happy day!

  15. Hanni says

    June 13, 2016 at 11:44 am

    I am advanced, especially love lace knitting, but would like to learn new ways of casting on and binding off.

  16. Deanna says

    June 13, 2016 at 11:47 am

    This looks like a book I seriously need. I am not a beginner, however anything beyond plain knitting is a challenge for me. Currently struggling with soxes….

  17. DR says

    June 13, 2016 at 11:50 am

    I am a confident beginner, but I still have a lot to learn. This book would help me to gain confidence in trying new things.

  18. Marzia says

    June 13, 2016 at 11:57 am

    Would lote it!

  19. Marzia says

    June 13, 2016 at 11:59 am

    Ouch I typed wrong!!! I’d love it!

  20. Vivianne Breault says

    June 13, 2016 at 11:59 am

    HI! I consider myself as a maniac knitter, no more no less! Thanks for this contest! Have a nice day you all!

  21. Kylie C says

    June 13, 2016 at 12:00 pm

    I’d still consider myself an advanced beginner- I’ve made some hats & scarves but nothing large, with a lot of shaping, or special techniques like lace or colorwork.

  22. KATE SARSFIELD says

    June 13, 2016 at 12:02 pm

    I used to do a lot of knitting in school but haven’t in years so I’m pretty much learning all over again!

  23. yolanda says

    June 13, 2016 at 12:25 pm

    I consider myself a beginner…
    My first project was cables and my latest, (which was full of learning curves!), was brioche…
    Thanks for the giveaway.

  24. kathleen k says

    June 13, 2016 at 12:30 pm

    more than a beginner, but not an expert

  25. joyce hancock says

    June 13, 2016 at 12:31 pm

    I think I am an intermediate knitter, even though I have been knitting for 40 plus years. There are a few advanced techniques I have yet to try. Thanks for the giveaway!

  26. pattipanuccio says

    June 13, 2016 at 12:34 pm

    i would love to knit again. Last time was 1979

  27. Heidi says

    June 13, 2016 at 12:43 pm

    Hi there!
    Even though I’ve been knitting for 8 years, I still feel like a beginner when I come across lace patterns..there’s something about charts that have me praying when I start! I would love to increase my skills and actually knit something other than a triangle, rectangle or circle! I love books and having them on a bookshelf is a thing I adore; I would love to add this to my collection

  28. Unique Threads and Yarns says

    June 13, 2016 at 12:51 pm

    Although I’ve been knitting for over 45 years, I consider myself only intermediate. Would love to win the book. Since my Mom passed away, I have no one to guide me when I have a knitting question. Now, I’m passing my knowledge on to my granddaughter.

  29. Ashley Van Buren says

    June 13, 2016 at 1:03 pm

    I’m past beginner, but nowhere near advanced! Just call me intermediate. 😀

  30. sparkleanddoomdesigns says

    June 13, 2016 at 1:11 pm

    super super super beginner. I just cannot wrap my head around increasing and decreasing.

  31. Denise Penn says

    June 13, 2016 at 1:12 pm

    I am somewhere between “I got this!” and “oh crap!!”.

    Would really love to have this book, thanks for the opportunity!

  32. Karen H. says

    June 13, 2016 at 1:15 pm

    I consider myself a beginner. I have made a few things like scarves , hats and now working on a shawl. Mostly in garter stitch and stockinette.

  33. Carla Bottenfield says

    June 13, 2016 at 1:16 pm

    Sounds like a great book. I am an advanced beginner knitter.

  34. Susan Spiers says

    June 13, 2016 at 1:32 pm

    I consider myself pretty advanced, but I too have some problems with lace designs. Sometimes, its just the type of yarn, other times I just get ahead of myself! Great giveaway, thank you -Susan

  35. Cindy S says

    June 13, 2016 at 1:44 pm

    I’m intermediate, there’s always something to learn, and better ways to do it. 🙂

  36. Helen King says

    June 13, 2016 at 1:49 pm

    I am an intermediate knitter. This book would be awesome as it goes into skills I have not tried yet but would love to!

  37. Connie K. says

    June 13, 2016 at 1:54 pm

    I consider myself an intermediate knitter, but one with ambitions. I woudl love to have this book!

  38. Deb says

    June 13, 2016 at 1:55 pm

    I am an incompetent beginner who kicks myself every day for not paying attention to my lovely grandmother who tried to teach me how to knit more than 50 years ago. I just wasn’t interested then and now I grieve the loss of her and her knitting and crocheting skills. It is such a loss on my part. Thank you for the give always, they are such nice gifts!

  39. Judy mills says

    June 13, 2016 at 2:16 pm

    I would love to win the book. I think I am an intermediate knitter

  40. Terry Paron says

    June 13, 2016 at 2:22 pm

    I’d call myself an intermediate knitter, but some days I’d have question that as some techniques are so challenging! The book would be a great resource!

  41. Janna says

    June 13, 2016 at 2:23 pm

    I would call myself a confident knitter. But you never stop learning!!! ????

  42. boblosan says

    June 13, 2016 at 2:28 pm

    I think I’m a beginning intermediate knitter (?). I would certainly love to win this book, as the beginning stages are always the hardest.

  43. Helen says

    June 13, 2016 at 2:38 pm

    Just finished my first big project – a baby sweater. Not quite beginner but nowhere near as talented as I’d like to be

  44. Flo says

    June 13, 2016 at 2:39 pm

    I consider myself an advanced beginner; new techniques usually challenge ma and I really enjoy taking them on. Thanks so much for the chance to win this awesome book!

  45. jo says

    June 13, 2016 at 3:07 pm

    intermediate – haven’t tried any serious lace work – yet

  46. Heidi Kirsch says

    June 13, 2016 at 3:10 pm

    I like to think of myself as an advanced intermediate knitter. Of course I think I’m barely a beginner when I’m frogging again.

  47. craftyone says

    June 13, 2016 at 3:13 pm

    I consider myself a beginning knitter. I have the basic knit/purl down and can work in the round.

  48. Margay says

    June 13, 2016 at 4:07 pm

    I would consider myself pretty advanced, too, in most areas, but I always like to have a reference guide for when I take on a project I’m not as comfortable with, such as intarsia, lace knitting or complicated cables.

  49. Corissa Johns says

    June 13, 2016 at 4:16 pm

    My skill level is Super Beginner. I can basically knit squares. I mainly make wash clothes but it would be nice to be able to make something else.

  50. Cindy McIlvain says

    June 13, 2016 at 4:50 pm

    I am a novice. This book would be a fantastic help.

Newer Comments »

Have you read?

Fun Halloween Cowls to Knit

One of the fun things about knitters is that we will use a holiday theme on any kind of project. From Easter bunny socks to Christmas sweaters, there’s no combination of holiday motif and knitwear genre we won’t combine. 

Case in point: Halloween cowls. 

This fun cowl from Sweet Vireo Designs features large carved pumpkins and little cats and skulls. It uses two colors of DK weight yarn and I love the multicolored yarn for the background color on this one. And the braids! So cute. 

Spooky Season by Jocelyn Tunney (also on Ravelry) uses fingering weight yarn in two colors to make a design with crescent moons and eyes. There are two circumferences and two heights available so you can make it a neck hugger or a slightly bigger project if you like. 

Make more moons with the Broom Riding Cowl from Vanessa Ewing Knits. This two color pattern looks extra fun with a multicolored yarn for the colorwork, but you can use a solid as well. It calls for DK weight yarn but there is also a fingering weight version if you have some yarn in your stash you want to use. 

Jinx Made has another fun Halloween cowl, this time covered in skulls. South Philly Skulls uses DK weight yarn and comes in two lengths, and there’s also a matching hat pattern, both of which can be found on Ravelry. 

The Ghost Stories cowl from Melissa Knit Wear is a two-color cowl with ghosts of different sizes on the body. It uses DK weight yarn, and average sized skeins will allow you to get two cowls out of two skeins. It also calls for stitch markers to help you keep your place in the chart. 

Or stitch up a cowl with a giant bat on it. The Nightling Cowl from Jen Immer uses DK weight yarn in two colors and has moons and a large bat on it. This pattern can be found on Ravelry. 

How about spooky trees? The Weirwood Cowl from Andrea Krüß-Anders is inspired by the weirwood trees in the Game of Thrones books, and is worked in two colors of fingering weight yarn. You can find this free pattern on Ravelry. 

If a bandana cowl is more your thing, try Cowloween from Tellybean Knits (on Ravelry). This colorful design is worked from the top down and features pumpkins, ghosts and candy colored stripes, and is worked in a light fingering weight yarn. There are kid and adult sizes available. 

Categories

Afghans, Blankets, Throws baby hat Baby Patterns Beginner Book Reviews cardigans Christmas Craft News and Events Free Knitting Patterns Giveaways! Hats and Beanies Knit Knitting Patterns Knitting Technique & Tutorials mittens Quick Knits scarf shawl patterns socks Sweaters

RSS feed: More Articles More Articles

  • 13 Halloween Ghost Handmade Card Ideas
  • Discover 10 Must-Read Books That Will Inspire Your Love for Sewing
  • Fun Halloween Cowls to Knit
  • DMC Blue Vespa Intermediate Cross Stitch Kit Review
  • 31 Haunting Street -Halloween Quilting Pattern
  • 9 Halloween Food Hacks You Can Make in Minutes (No Fancy Ingredients!)
  • 10 Halloween Bowling Ball Crafts for Spooky Upcycled Garden Décor
  • Free Crochet Santa Spiral Wind Spinner Christmas Ornament Pattern
  • FREE Dripping Font for Halloween
  • How to Create Easy Halloween Art Journal Pages

Pick Your Blog

  • Sewing
  • Knitting
  • Quilting
  • Crochet
  • Home & Garden
  • Recycled Crafts
  • Scrapbooking
  • Card Making
  • Polymer Clay
  • Cross-Stitch
  • Edible Crafts
  • Felting
  • Glass Art
  • Indie Crafts
  • Kids Crafts
  • Jewelry Making
  • Lesson Plans
  • Needlework
  • Bath & Body
  • Party Ideas
  • Candle Making
  • DIY Weddings
  • Not Craft
  • Free Craft Projects

Copyright © 2026 · CraftGossip | Start Here | Contact Us | Link to Us | Your Editors | Privacy and affiliate policy