Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Giveaway: Knitting References

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knitting reference giveaway

Joanne is the winner.

The office cleaning continues, so this week I have a couple of knitting reference goodies I’d love to send to a good home.

The first is Knit Simple Knitting Workshops, which was published as a special issue of the magazine back in 2011. It includes a glossary of knitting terms, a rundown of needed tools, how to cast on, knit and purl, make a chain, slip stitch, single, half-double and double crochet, work cables and more.

Included are more than 80 patterns including basic hats, mittens and socks for various sizes (as well as ideas for how to jazz them up), a basic triangular shawl and a bunch of other accessories (including crocheted flowers and jewelry and a hairpin lace wrap), an array of easy tops for women and kids and home accessories like pillows and afghans. Several of the patterns can be seen on Ravelry. I love that Incan Pullover!

The other item is a Knitting Pocket Reference published by Creative Knitting magazine. It includes charts on yarn weight, metric conversions, a place to inventory your knitting needles, measurement guidelines and standard sizes, and a few pages where you can detail a little bit of your stash and some projects you have knit. There’s a little section of knitting basics and a rundown of abbreviations as well.

One random winner will receive both of these handy items, and if you’d like it to be you, leave a comment on this post before the end of the day Sunday, Jan. 22. I’d love to know if you have a favorite knitting magazine. I really love Knitscene because of its simple projects that are still trendy but wearable.

Thanks for visiting, commenting and sharing and good luck!

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Comments

  4. I don’t have a favorite magazine and am lucky enough that my sister gives me here every couple of months.

  8. Would love to have these in my library. I am in the process of rebuilding my library. All my books were lost in a move.

  9. I’m not sure if I have a favorite magazine. I do like Knit Simple and Creative Knitting. But it’s more about which patterns and content are in each magazine than the actually magazine company.

  10. I enjoy reading Vogue Knitting and Creative Knitting depending on the patterns. These references are awesome thanks so much for the chance to win!!!

  11. Getting back into knitting again after a very long absence. Still only practicing the basics but getting loads of inspiration and ideas from your site – thank you for taking the time to share.

  12. I do not have a favorite. When I am at the book store or the craft store. I tend to go thru them to see if there is one that has a few patterns that I like. I have a cross section of magazines I like.

  14. Have not knit for years but after seeing all of the knit projects on different blogs, would love to do it but for sure will need instructions to begin all over again. Thank you so much for offering this.

  17. I love to knit and crochet. I just finished making four knit ponytail hats. Thanks for your daily emails full of crafts.

  18. My favorite knitting magazine is Love Knitting. The patterns aren’t too complicated and are for items that I would actually wear or make to give away. Thanks for sharing the book with someone.

  19. Would be a wonderful addition to my knitting library. I love new challenges with the wonderful variety of yarns available today. References are always helpful for getting immediate visuals to guide you in trying new projects. Threads and Vogue are both
    inspirational publications.

  21. About ONLY craft I’ve never tried is knitting, and @ 53 yrs of age, think it’s high time I do! Have been checking into “how to’s” online, but it’s terribly difficult to follow when your only “computer” is your phone. Books are so expensive and with other “start up” costs, not currently feasible. Haven’t seen any knitting mags that haven’t been “sealed” thus never sure if would be good purchase for beginner. These sound like they’d be perfect for me!!! Fingers crossed!!!

  24. just starting to knit baby stuff again for gr. grand daughter due in May. would love to try some fancy stitches

  28. I’m actually a little more familiar with Interweave Knits, but have started to acquaint myself with Knitscene, and have been picking up copies of different issues, whenever there are patterns that catch my eye, which happen with more frequency lately!!

  30. I don’t have a favorite. I like to look at both knit and crochet books and magazines when I’m in town.

  31. I have just taken up knitting as therapy for an injured wrist and have completely fallen in love with it! Both of these would be absolutely fantastic for helping me learn ?. I haven’t a favourite knitting magazine as yet.

  32. I’m just getting back into knitting after a long hiatus. Some things come back easily, others not so much. I would love to have a handy reference. I can’t say that I have ever had a favourite magazine, but I have discovered Ravelry, and I do troll it like a crazy person ????

  34. I love to look at all of the knitting magazines but only really buy if there is a project that catches my eye! The pocket reference would be so handy to keep in the knitting bag! I often knit when I’m flying so if I get stuck on an abbreviation I am stuck in the sky!

  36. Knit ‘n Style was my favorite before it folded. It had more men’s patterns that the others – almost always 2 or 3. I haven’t settled in a new groove as far as any other mag. Thanks for the giveaway.

  37. I love to knit and have been doing so for many years. My favorite knitting magazines are Creative Knitting and Knit Simple.

  40. I have fallen back in to crochet because that is what I know. I love the look of knitting but could use a little help with it. My friend do neither so not to call us on the spur of the moment!
    So if I get lucky perhaps some of the material in your give away could be helpful.
    PS Love, love your show!
    Ruth

Have you read?

Knit a Hammock for Your Fruit

This free knitting pattern falls in the category of cute but maybe not essential, as well as a nice way to use some yarn left over from another project. 

The Briggs St. Fruit Hammock from Mycah Knits is beginner friendly because it’s a big rectangle worked in stockinette stitch on larger needles than the yarn would usually call for (size 11 US/8 mm for DK weight/weight 3 yarn) to provide more air flow around the fruit. 

The idea behind a fruit hammock like this is both that it saves you counter space since it’s meant to be mounted under a cabinet and that air flow around the fruit helps prevent moisture from getting trapped below the fruit, which should keep it fresh longer. They’re also just cute and keep your fruits or veg accessible so hopefully you will eat more of them. 

This pattern also includes I-cord handles, which is how you hang the hammock, and you’ll need to be able to pick up stitches for them, but that’s the only beyond beginner skill required in this project. 

It only uses about 25 grams of yarn, so this is a perfect project for using a little something left over from another project. It would also be cute with stripes, so you can use odd balls from several projects. Or make the I-cord with a contrasting color to add a bit more fun if you like.

The designer does recommend using acrylic yarn for this project because it shouldn’t stretch out of shape with use and is easy to wash should your aspirations for eating fruit outstrip your reality. But they also provide tips for testing the stretch in a yarn you want to use and adjusting the pattern to account for that. 

I don’t have a space in my place for this but it is super cute and a fun way to add knitting to the home, which I’m always a fan of. 

You can grab the free pattern on Ravelry. 

[Photo: Mycah Knits]