• Home
  • Suggest A Craft
  • DIY Newsletter

Knitting

Patterns, projects and techniques

  • 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 Skill Books from Leisure Arts

January 5, 2015 by Sarah White

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!

Next Pattern:

  • Colorwork Ups the Skill on This Simple Tee
  • Premier Needle Arts Acquires Berroco
  • How to Decorate with Fiber Arts
«
»

Comments

  1. Traci says

    January 5, 2015 at 10:06 pm

    I’ve never learned to knit but it has been on my “bucket list” for a long time now. I really would love to have a portable crafty hobby.

  2. Patricia Pinkston says

    January 5, 2015 at 10:53 pm

    I tried learning from a book years ago, but haven’t knitted anything in about 40 years. Would love to get back into it.

  3. Sara says

    January 5, 2015 at 11:02 pm

    I’d like this, I learned as a kid, but never made anything and am now picking it back up because you can make so many lovely, original things.

  4. knittingdancer says

    January 6, 2015 at 8:17 am

    i would give these books to a friend that is trying to learn to knit.

  5. Alexandra Forsythe says

    January 6, 2015 at 11:00 am

    I am interested in knitting. My mother knits and I would love to learn so I can knit with her. She was recently diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, so I am looking to do things with her that aren’t strenuous.

  6. kim says

    January 6, 2015 at 3:15 pm

    My daughter and I have been knitting for a few years now and we try to convert everyone! These would be great.

  7. Carol says

    January 7, 2015 at 12:26 am

    Been knitting for a while but can always learn something new

    Hope to find some projects to donate to charity for kids and adults

  8. frances says

    January 7, 2015 at 11:41 am

    I learned to crochet as a child and learned the very basics of knitting in a therapy class many years ago. I would love a refresher course and maybe really make something!

  9. Pat says

    January 7, 2015 at 1:52 pm

    I was taught to knit by my grandma in elementary school. Hadn’t done it in ages but started again before Christmas. I’m hoping to do more … have grand kids I can make things for now.

  10. Patricia Casper says

    January 7, 2015 at 11:12 pm

    I love knitting and have my granddaughter age 10 and her mother knitting. I am thrilled they have taken up knitting and are working on some lovely projects. We would love to share these books and hone our knitting skills. It would great for us to knit a similar item in different yarns and have the completed articles to enjoy and discuss as a family project.

  11. Patricia Geraldo says

    January 8, 2015 at 9:08 am

    I was pretty dire at knitting as a child however, as an adult, browsing web pages has inspired me to start again. My skills are very basic but I see so many beautiful and colourful yarns that I can’t wait to transform them into a piece of hand knitting art work. I would love to develop my skills & produce items for the more needy people in my local community.

  12. Patty says

    January 8, 2015 at 9:46 pm

    I can’t start or finish a knitting project, but I can do basic knitting stitches. I need these books so I can surprise my Mom with a handmade knitted gift next Christmas. She would be so surprised because she knows I’m not much of a knitter and she always has to finish most of my creative projects. Thank you for the opportunity to win these great books.

  13. Emily Agunod says

    January 8, 2015 at 11:39 pm

    I’ve tried to knit with unsuccessful results. These books would help me a lot. Thanks!

  14. fun says

    January 9, 2015 at 4:50 pm

    i would like these books

  15. craftyone says

    January 9, 2015 at 6:35 pm

    I would use the books myself. I am a beginning knitter and have only made two scarves.

  16. Erika says

    January 9, 2015 at 7:37 pm

    I’d love to win these books for my mother! She would love them! Thank you so much!

  17. nicole says

    January 10, 2015 at 4:58 pm

    I’ve recently begun knitting and would love to expand my skills!

  18. mary lou says

    January 11, 2015 at 12:57 am

    These book would be so helpful to me. I am a beginner and need all the help I can get!
    Thank you for the opportunity to win the books!

  19. D says

    January 11, 2015 at 4:07 pm

    I would gift these to my friend’s daughter who is just starting out and enjoying knitting and crocheting.

  20. ET Pruitt says

    January 11, 2015 at 4:40 pm

    I would give these books to my cousin, she would love the project ideas.

  21. Tania Mitchell says

    January 12, 2015 at 6:53 pm

    learning to knit from the net so many sites and information,..doing ok so far so many ideas to choose from, I need to learn to knit faster to get my results ASAP!

  22. Barbara Lorentz says

    August 10, 2015 at 2:17 pm

    Knitting has always eluded me. I can crochet but every time I pick up knitting needles it ends in anger, cursing and a terrible scene! Lol. I’m determined to master knitting and I’m hoping this book will be the one tutorial to get me there!

  23. Allison Mackenzie says

    October 5, 2015 at 11:47 am

    Hi – i learned to knit as a child and haven’t done it in a LONG time and wasn’t really good beyond the basic stitches. But i wanted to get back into it to teach my girl scout troop so we can do blankets for the homeless and pediatric wards. I have 13 girls who all want to learn and I’d love to be able to teach them properly. Thank you for this opportunity.

  24. Val Jensen says

    June 14, 2016 at 9:32 am

    I learned to knit at age 10 but haven’t knit in years and never got past making a messed up mitten. This book sounds like something that would help me learn all over again and to teach my granddaughter. Thank you so much for this offer.

  25. Lynne Wahnefried says

    September 29, 2016 at 8:26 pm

    I would love these books so I can give them to my granddaughter. We live in different states so I can’t be there to help her. Thanks for considering me!

« Older Comments

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]

Categories

baby hat Baby Patterns Beginner Book Reviews cardigan Christmas CraftGossip Giveaways Craft News and Events Free Kntting Patterns Giveaways! Hats Knitting Articles Of Interest Knitting Patterns Knitting Technique & Ideas mittens Quick scarf shawl patterns socks Sweaters

RSS More Articles

  • The Perfect Sewing Guide for Making Indian Clothes
  • Minecraft Learning Activities
  • Knit a Spiky Balaclava
  • 12 Scrapbook Layout Ideas using Repeated Shapes
  • Upcycling or Hoarding? Why Your DIY Projects Could Be Doing More Harm Than Good
  • Circle Of Leaves Afghan Pattern
  • Make a Stunning DIY Paper Vase – A Creative and Budget-Friendly Craft
  • How to Make a Rag Quilt – An Easy, Cozy Beginner-Friendly Tutorial
  • A Cross Stitch I Spy at the Beach
  • This Artist’s Breathtaking Embroidery Paintings Will Make You Rethink Needlework Forever

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 © 2025 · CraftGossip | Start Here | Contact Us | Link to Us | Your Editors | Privacy and affiliate policy