Knitting

Patterns, projects and techniques

Giveaway: Knitting Skill Books from Leisure Arts

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Win two Leisure Arts books to help you build your knitting skills.

Congratulations to Jen!

I know a lot of my readers are newer knitters, or even just people who are interested in knitting but maybe haven’t picked up needles yet. Or maybe you’re an experienced knitter but you want to share the love with someone else.

Either way, this week’s giveaway is a great one for newer knitters. It includes two little books from Leisure Arts: Learn to Knit, Now! and Expand Your Knitting Skills.

Learn to Knit, Now! includes instructions on how to make a slip knot, perform the long-tail cast on, knit, purl and bind odd, as well as tips for reading patterns and seven projects to try. The projects are skill building so as you work through the book you’ll learn how to sew a seam, work ribbing and perform other pattern stitches. Links to video tutorials are included if you need more help.

Expand Your Knitting Skills offers 17 patterns for knit accessories that go beyond the basics and include such skills as knitting cables, working in the round, picking up stitches and creating a ruffled edging for your knit project. The projects are mostly hats and scarves, but there are also mittens, fingerless gloves and a knit bag to try out your new skills on.

I will pick one winner to receive both books from people who leave comments on this post before the end of the day Sunday, January 12. I’d love to know if you’re a new knitter or who you would gift these books to in order to encourage their knitting.

Thanks for visiting, commenting and sharing and good luck!

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Comments

  3. I learnt to knit as a teenager and I’ve been knitting only simple, suitable-for-beginners projects ever since.

  4. I love easy projects becsuse i do a lot of charity knitting ~so it goes faster~ i am a self taught knitter~ would love to add these books to my library

  6. i would love to learn to knit! i am learning crocheting now and just made my first newborn beanie hat!!! thanks for the chance 🙂

  8. I have been knitting for a bit. I would love to give the new knitter book to a niece as she so would like to knit.

  9. I started knitting 2 years ago & have been expanding my skills slowly but surely. I find I always learn something new from beginners books because I taught myself to knit. I’m sure one of my friends would love to have the beginner book after I have gleaned all the knowledge I can from it. And a second book to help me build on my skills would be awesome! I always look after my books & pass them in when I’m done with them. Thanks for the giveaway!

  10. I have knitted like 2 projects and need all the help I can get! Would love to win, thanks so much!!

  11. i would love to have those… i am a newbie, i have a daughter and i love threads… i always buy knitted things but i hope i can make clothes/accessories thru knittings… im learning to make one… ciao!!!

  14. I’m a newbie knitter (at 53 years old) and would absolutely love to win these books. I don’t have anyone living close by that can teach me and there are no knitting shops nearby where I can go and learn. I’m learning through youtube videos and Craftsy and slowly developing my skills. I would definitely be able to use these books and would also regift them later if I get past the stage of needing them myself. Thanks for hosting this giveaway.

  17. I won’t consider myself even a good knitter until I can fix mistakes I make instead of having the teacher rip it out and redo for me.

  19. I would love to expand my knitting..which is basic knitting. I inherited my grammas knitting needles. I believe they are from the stone age but treasured.

  22. I do knit a little bit but am basically a beginner and my daughter is learning to knit, so these books would be perfect for us!! Thanks for the chance

  23. I would love to have just one for my knitting class, but I’ll take both. ???? Tracy Custis

  24. I would keep the “Expand your Knitting Skills” book for myself, because it looks like a good book for growing with my knitting. And the “Learn to Knit, Now” book I would give to my neighbor who wants to learn to knit (and I promised to teach!)

  25. I’m an avid crocheter but would also like to try my hand at knitting.This may be the year I get it done!

  26. I’m a brand new knitter! I’ve crocheted for years, but decided 2015 would be the year I finally learn to knit. These books would be great!

  27. Dear Sarah
    What an awesome chance.
    One of my goals this year is to learn to knit.
    But, alas another of my goals was to stay out
    of book stores.
    So you see the two goals collide, I didn’t think my
    goals through apparently. lol.
    I recently scored some vintage knitting needles
    in a grab bag from one of my thrift shopping hauls.
    I have been wondering where to start and this
    would be a great place.
    So… thank you for such the chance.

  29. I would love to win this book to help me to advance from being a plain knit and purl knitter to some advanced knitter with wonderful patterns etc… xx

  30. In 2015, I’d like to expand my elementary knitting skills. Cable stitches, knitting in the round, socks and gloves have always scared me. This way..I can learn with confidence.

    Thanks so much for the opportunity.

  32. Just last week, my daughter and I decided that we wanted to learn how to knit. We got out some needles that I have had from previously trying. Needless to say, we didn’t get very far. Some books to teach us skills and easy projects to get started would be so helpful.

  34. I would love to receive these books. I just started learning to knit last year and still have lots to learn. In fact, I start with a slipknot but it seems my slipknot isn’t even correct because it always comes loose. Thanks so much for the chance at this opportunity.

  35. In the 40’s, grade schoolers all learned to knit for afghans they made for the troops. I have been knitting since for my childtren and grandchildren and friends and family since.I would love to share the books with them so they can continue the tradition.

  36. I learned to knit some many years ago, but have not done any in quite some time. I would love to get back to it again–need some refreshing. Thanks for all you do for your followers!

  37. These look great! Honestly, I’d keep one for myself and gift the other; can never brush up on the basics too often!

  38. Been simple knitting for years. Would love to try expanded knitting. Thank you for a chance at winning.

  40. Have been thinking about learning to knit so these books would be perfect. Thanks for the opportunity.

  42. Hi, Happy New Year. I am new to knitting. I am trying to learn how by reading and watching videos but having a hard time. Maybe these books would help. Thank you for a chance to win these wonderful books.

  43. Hi, I do not know how to knit but I always watch how to knit video tutorial on youtube and would love to learn the art of knitting. I’m inspired to make my own scarf and other stuff. The giveaway knitting skill books will definitely help me to understand the basic of knitting.

  44. I’ve wanted to learn knitting for years….I’ve never just sat down and started until a week ago. I don’t have anyone to teach me, so I’m relying on tutorials…which are helping. It’s slow going, but I will master it! 🙂

  46. Just taught myself to do some basic knitting and have been doing simple scarves, learned to make pom poms, and using a round loom to make hats. Would love to learn to make some special more advanced projects, my family has really enjoyed getting all their knitted gifts!

  47. I would start with the learn to book as I am new to knitting and have not been able to grasp some things yet…..it is fun though. I have been crocheting for 35+ years off and on with thread and just started with yarn/wool…I’m really enjoying the learning of knitting …so much to learn…all the fibers are amazing at the ways they work and drape and such….and feel …some nice wools out there…learning lots and loving it!

  49. I knit when my children were small, then got into crochet I never
    learned how to knit socks, so I want to get back to knitting again
    to learn how to do socks

  50. I’m a very experienced knitter. My two granddaughters are at a good age to learn to knit, but I can’t teach them because they live 2800 miles away! I’d love to send them these books. Thank you for the chance to win.

Have you read?

Knit a Spiky Balaclava

Not too long ago my daughter and I had a discussion about what a chestnut really looks like. The nut itself is small and brown, of course, but on the tree they’re covered with this weird kind of spiky, kind of fuzzy shell. It’s a wonder anyone ever figured out they were edible.

If you didn’t know that, you might wonder why this project is call Chestnut balaclava, but now you know.

This fun design from Yevheniia Pyroh is covered with spikes just like a chestnut shell, and is even the same color, though of course you can make yours whatever color you like. It uses two strands of fingering weight yarn held together (which it says is fingering weight but you could try a light/DK yarn and see if you get gauge with it if you’d rather).

There are two different design options in the pattern. One is a more fitted balaclava style hat (it doesn’t cover the face but does go around the neck) and a looser fit hood.

It’s worked primarily in garter stitch, with shaping done by knitting and purling in the same stitch and through various decreases (including a knit 3 together).

The pattern is charted but also explained in words. It’s worked flat to the size you want, and then joined into a hood shape with ribbing at the neck. The opening for the face is finished with I-cord.

This hood/balaclava would definitely be a conversation starter and in different colors it might read more dinosaur than chestnut, which could also be fun. The sizing is totally custom so you can make it fit whatever head you’re stitching for.

If you want to try it for yourself (and I’d love to hear about it if you do!) you can download the free pattern from Ravelry.

[Photo: Yevheniia Pyroh]

Balaclava Knitting Patterns

Colorwork Balaclava Knitting Pattern [Knitting]