Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Giveaway: Knitting on Top of the World

by

Win a paperback copy of Nicky Epstein's Knitting on top of the world.

Congratulations to winner Debby!

Nicky Epstein’s Knitting on Top of the World is a really fun book, chock full of 50 designs inspired by knitwear and other traditions from around the world.

For example (opening to some pages randomly) an entrelac wrap inspired by strolls in Paris, a Fair Isle and diamond brocade cardigan, a super fancy Aran sweater (that’s it there on the newly designed cover for the paperback edition), a capelet that looks like giant versions of tams sewn together, a flower-covered pullover inspired by Spain, and a lace scarf fir for a Shanghai garden.

I started knitting the dragon from this book a long time ago. Never finished it, but maybe I will now that I’m thinking about it again.

This week I have a copy of the paperback version of this book to give away. One winner will be chosen at random from the people who leave comments on the post before the end of the day Sunday, October 19.

Why don’t you tell me where your dream vacation would take you? I would love to go to the Mediterranean!

Thanks for visiting, sharing and commenting and good luck!

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

Looking for pullover and sweater patterns? Check these books out.

Comments

  2. I want to go to the U.K. I want to see the broad northlands, Dartmoor ponies, Exmoor, the ancient Roman roads, so many places!

  7. I would love to revisit Australia, I visited quite a few years ago when my sister lived there, and I think i may have left a part of me behind. And not just the blood that the mosquitoes had out of me either!

  8. Well so many places to go but I think Peru. Visit the ancient ruins, and get some beautiful yarn!

  9. I would love to go to Provence in France..and the Alps.. and Italy…Switzerland; it’s a big world!

  13. I would love to see Egypt or India. And I love Nicky Epstein’s designs. Maybe I could talk her into going with me so we could get inspired together. 🙂

  14. My dream vacation would be Great Britain. I’d love to see all of the castles, historic sites, and the Harry Potter studio.

  23. It’s Scotland for me! It doesn’t matter what season, what time of year, I’d like to spend weeks (or months) there seeing absolutely everything.

    This looks like a fun book — thanks so much for the chance to win. 🙂

  25. I would love to go to Italy, and specifically to Rome. Thanks for the question, and for the great giveaway. I would love to win this book- Nicky Epstein is awesome! Thanks

  26. My dream vacation would be to go to the Galapagos Islands to see all the different wildlife there. I bet I could come home with fabulous photos. And I could probably do some fantastic scuba diving there.

  29. Have to say my dream vacation would take me many places – on a cruise ship to Tahiti , Fiji , all around Polynesia .

  31. I would love to go to Spain. We hosted a student from there so I would love to go see her and meet her family. I would also like to check out their yarn, she gave me a book with really interesting knitting patterns.

  33. Do I have to just pick one? Hmmm….I love going to Hawaii, so that’s always up there. Europe, the UK, and South America would be great too.

  38. My dream vacation would be to Ireland where I could visit all the yarn shops and talk with all the local knitters who knit the beautiful fishermens knit sweaters. I would see all the awesome castles and fantastic green countryside dotted with herds of sheep!

  39. Definitely the Mediterranean, it has always been on my bucket list! I’d like to start in Spain and end up in Greece or Turkey, maybe even make my way over to Israel. 🙂

  42. Glacier Bay, Alaska has always fascinated me. And it will be a great place to wear my handknits! Thanks for another generous giveaway.

  44. I would love to go on a yarn tour type of vacation. Explore new places and enjoy all sorts of yarn as I go along. Heaven!

  46. My dream vacation is an Ireland/Scotland road trip where I get to stay in rustic lodgings and pretend I’m in a historical romance novel 😉 Thank you for the giveaway!

  47. I have a good friend who lives in Germany and has traveled to the US to visit me a few times already. My dream would be to visit her in Germany and explore the countryside!

Have you read?

Free Knitted Crown Pattern for Kids and Adults: A Sweet Handmade Dress-Up Idea

There’s something wonderfully charming about a knitted crown. It’s playful, useful for the dress-up basket, and just the sort of small project that gives a leftover ball of yarn a proper purpose. Much better than letting it roll around the cupboard for another three years.

This free knitted crown pattern for kids and adults combines a simple garter-stitch band with shaped triangular points. The mustard-gold colour gives it that storybook crown look, although pink, purple or woodland green would be equally lovely.

A Manageable Next Step for Beginner Knitters

The construction is the appealing part of this design. Everything is knitted flat, so you won’t need double-pointed needles or experience joining stitches in the round.

You knit the band first, then work each crown point separately over a group of 12 stitches. Paired decreases gradually narrow each triangle, giving you a small, repeatable section to concentrate on.

I’d describe this as a confident beginner knitting project. You’ll need to know how to knit, work two types of decreases, hold unused stitches and sew a simple seam. There are several yarn tails to weave in, so a little patience with finishing will help.

Three Sizes With Room to Personalise

The pattern includes three sizes, with seven, eight or nine crown points. Choose by the wearer’s head measurement rather than age, and check your gauge carefully. Yarn stretch will make a noticeable difference to the fit.

For birthdays, an embroidered initial would be a sweet finishing touch. Contrasting yarn diamonds could suggest little jewels without adding hard embellishments.

What to Know Before Casting On

This is a soft knitted crown, so expect gentle points rather than a rigid costume accessory. A springy wool or wool-blend yarn should give the shaping more support than a very drapey yarn.

The stitch calculations have been checked, but the design has not yet been sample-knitted. The accompanying image is an illustrative mockup, so the finished texture and proportions may vary with your yarn and tension.

For a small handmade birthday accessory or a cheerful addition to the dress-up box, this is an appealing idea. And if an adult needs a matching crown for supervising the royal household, the larger size has that covered too.