Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Giveaway: Knitting Know-How

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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!

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Comments

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

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

  5. 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. 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.

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

  13. 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. 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!

  16. 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. 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.

  21. 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.

  23. 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.

  25. 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!

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

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

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

  32. 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.

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

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

  38. 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!

  40. 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!

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

  44. 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!

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

  48. 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. 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.

Have you read?

8 Knitted Crown Patterns for Children and Adults

There is something rather wonderful about a knitted crown. It takes a little yarn, a few pointed peaks and suddenly someone is in charge of the birthday cake. Whether they should be trusted with that responsibility is another matter entirely.

I love small knitting projects that invite a bit of fun, and these knitted crown patterns have plenty of possibilities. Make one for a grandchild’s dress-up basket, start a handmade birthday tradition, or knit matching crowns for a family celebration. And yes, there are adult sizes too, because being the person who organised the food should surely come with some royal privileges.

A soft knitted crown also makes a lovely alternative to a cardboard party crown. You can choose a favourite colour, coordinate it with a costume, or make something special enough to bring out year after year. Mustard yellow has that classic storybook look, but dusty pink, forest green and jewel-toned purple would be beautiful too.

These crown knitting patterns include children’s and adult options, along with designs that can be adjusted to fit. Some are worked flat and seamed, while others use circular knitting techniques, so there is a nice mix depending on what you enjoy making.

Our Free Knitted Crown Pattern for Kids and Adults

Start with our own free knitted crown pattern for kids and adults on CraftBits. It’s a lovely starting point for a handmade birthday crown or an addition to the family dress-up collection, with children and grownups both invited to join the royal household. I would choose a colour the wearer already loves—there is no rule saying every crown has to be gold.

Sheep & Stitch Crown: An Adjustable Design with a Video Tutorial

The knit crown pattern from Sheep & Stitch uses worsted-weight yarn and straight needles, with a video tutorial to help you follow along. You repeat the pointed sections until the crown fits, then join the ends, making this a useful option for children or adults without relying entirely on an age label. I especially like the video support for knitters who prefer seeing the shaping happen before trying it themselves.

Jubilee Crown Headband: Baby Through Adult Sizes

Marianna’s Jubilee Crown Headband is a free DK-weight design with baby, child, teen and adult size options. It’s described as quick and easy, making it an appealing choice when someone announces they need a costume rather closer to the event than you would have preferred. I would keep the smallest versions simple and let the yarn colour provide the decoration.

Hobbii Knitted Crown: A Cosy Ribbed Headband

The free Knitted Crown Headband from Hobbii, designed by Katharina Müller of My Favourite Stitches, combines a ribbed band with crown points. It includes baby, child and adult sizes and is knitted in the round with two yarns held together. This is the one I would look at for a crown that doubles as a playful ear warmer—very useful when your little royal insists on wearing their costume outside.

Elegant Knit Crown: Two Stretchy Size Options

Kathryn Andrews’ Elegant Knit Crown is a free Ravelry download with a small toddler/child size and a large teen/adult size. Worked from the top down in worsted-weight yarn, it uses a small amount of yarn and relies on stretchy edges to accommodate a range of heads. It’s a handy option for using a treasured leftover colour that isn’t quite enough for a hat.

Simple Knitted Crown: A Grownup Birthday Crown

Nicky Barfoot’s Simple Knitted Crown is a free DK-weight pattern with seven points and an adult-sized fit. The listed finished circumference is 50 cm, designed to stretch to a 55 cm head, so check that measurement before choosing it as a gift. I like this option for a grownup birthday celebration, especially in a beautiful cotton yarn that lets the shape take centre stage.

Crowning Glory: A Flat-Knitted Crown for the Family

The free Crowning Glory pattern by MrsMeeseMakes is knitted flat and seamed, with the circumference adjusted through the number of points you make. The designer gives guidance for baby, toddler, child, teenager and adult versions, making it a flexible choice for a family set. This would be my pick if you enjoy straight-needle projects and want to check the length as you go.

Paintbox Yarns Party Crown: Child and Adult Versions

The free Paintbox Yarns Party Crown uses aran-weight yarn and includes separate child and adult instructions. The listed finished circumferences are 44 cm and 50 cm, and the pattern is rated intermediate. I would make a coordinated pair in different colours for a birthday child and their favourite grownup—matching enough for photographs, but easy to tell apart when the party gets busy.

Choosing the Right Size for a Knitted Crown

Measure around the wearer’s head where the crown will sit, then compare that measurement with the pattern’s sizing notes. A finished knitted circumference may be smaller than the intended head measurement because the fabric stretches; that is different from choosing a size that is simply too small.

For an adjustable design, check the fit before sewing the ends together. You want the crown to stay put comfortably, especially if its owner plans to spend the afternoon dancing, running or issuing important instructions to the dog.

Yarn choice matters too. A springy wool blend and a smooth cotton can behave quite differently, even when both carry the same yarn-weight label. Follow the pattern’s tension guidance and think about how the finished crown will be washed.

Make It a Birthday Tradition

My favourite idea is to knit a crown that comes out every birthday. Choose a colour that will grow with its wearer, tuck it away with the birthday candles, and let it become one of those small family things everyone remembers.

For children’s crowns, stitched details are a lovely way to personalise the design without adding loose decorations. A little embroidered initial or a few contrasting stitches can make a simple crown feel very much their own.

And if you happen to knit yourself one while making the children’s versions, I think that is entirely reasonable. Someone has to supervise the kingdom—and keep an eye on the cake.