Knitting

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Giveaway: Scarves in the Round

by

scarves in the round

Ellen is our winner!

I don’t quite want to admit how quickly the weather will likely start to turn cool again. I’m still working on projects I hope to have done in time to wear this summer, but I know it’s time to start thinking about fall and winter knitting, too.

So it’s the perfect time to talk about Heather Walpole’s fun book, Scarves in the Round. The book includes 25 patterns for cowls, tube scarves, neck warmers and ponchos, all worked in the round with circular knitting needles. There’s a lot of Stockinette Stitch (and some really lovely yarns) here, as well as projects that use lace, cables, colorwork and bobbles.

It’s a great beginner’s guide to working in the round, but also has projects that knitters with some experience with circular knitting (and the other techniques involved) are sure to enjoy, too. And there are projects that span the seasons, from some that would be perfectly appropriate on cool summer nights to those that are great for the dead of winter.

If you’d like a chance to win this book (American readers only, please!), leave a comment on this post before the end of the day Sunday, August 9. I’d love to know what you like to knit in the round, if that’s a technique you’ve used before. I like it for just about anything, from sweaters to socks to cowls.

Thanks for visiting, commenting and sharing, and good luck!

Comments

  1. Sounds like a great book. I have never tries to knit an infinity scarf and it is on my rather long “to do” list. Thanks for the giveaway and the review of this book. I may have to add it on my “to buy” list…I know…SOOOO many lists and SOOOO little time!

  3. Just really getting in to knitting! My cousin is guiding me. I learned how to crochet as a child from my mom, but I could never get into knitting…but, it’s on my bucket list. And I love scarves! So this would be perfect.

  5. My favorite thing to knit in the round is hats, but I also just knit my first pair of socks this past winter!

  6. Actually, I don’t knit at all, but my favorite neice does, and this would provide her with a little distraction when she needs it while she is in pharmacy school and needs a break… thanks!

  7. I love scarves and knitting in the round. This book sounds like a lot of fun and would be a welcome addition to my knitting library. Thanks for the chance to win.

  10. I love knitting in the round. I am still a newbie to this method of knitting and always looking for patterns. Even tho I live in So Ca I wear a scarf..they add so much to your outfit..I even made one for my pooch…..

  12. I am drawn to cowls and knitting in the round. It is my favorite past time. Living in the north, we wear warm neck ware over 6 months a year! I love the colors of the circular scarf on the model – multicolored and it looks so luxurious.

  13. Knitting in the round and infinity scarves both would expand my knitting. Thank you for the drawing.

  15. Looks like a great thing to push me in the direction of knitting in the round and round. I’ve knit many socks on DPNs but only a few scarves that way. I imagine scarves knit up this way are ultra-warm and I could stand some encouragement to go in that direction:) Finger crossed!

    from sunny and bright VT,
    the Vermonster

  16. I have knit only a few things in the round. I have done a cowl and actually I did a dress for a niece and then of course I knit the neck portion in the round to sweaters. I would love to knit more in that manner .

  18. My mom enjoys knitting useful and attractive items for us. I think she would really enjoy learning some new skills to expand her repertoire.

  20. I’ve knit quite a few thing in the round. I like that when you’re done, it’s basically finished, no seaming. Always looking for new patterns. Thanks for the chance to win the book.

  21. My favorite thing to knit in the round is a hat for my husband. He loves to wear hats in the winter and I love seeing how excited he is when I finish one.

  22. I have never tried knitting in the round and would love to give it a try. I see so many patterns using this technique – would love to make hats and an afghan.

  23. Im a new knitter and have knit a couple of hats in the round. Thanks for the giveaway. ,

  27. I knit just about anything in the round…because I don’t like seaming up knitted items 🙂 Thanks for the chance at the book!

  32. I am really into the loom knitting (sure wish you could get some patterns for that) and I believe I could adjust the patterns in this book for a loom. I have really been wanting to do this type of scarf. I knit all year long, hats and scarves for cancer patients at our local hospital getting chemotherapy so some new patterns would come in very handy.

  33. I have knitted so many scarves, there should not be a cold neck in the United States but have never done one in the round. (Am ashamed to say I am just a creature of habit) but it is high time I start NOW :). Thank you for your give away. What a kind thing do do for complete strangers!!!!

  34. I would LOVE this book! I thoroughly enjoy knitting in the round (now that I finally figured out how to do it!), and am always looking for new patterns to try. 🙂

  35. Seems I am always entering your contests… at least for knitting books as it is the only hobby I really love… but I never see where the winners are listed. And other giveaways on your sites always headline the winners. Do you really give knitting books away? I just looked and the last three books you have done giveaways for don’t indicate anyone won….

  36. I love circular needles for projects with a lot of stitches. I just finished a hat-in-the round class and have started a sock class. This is exciting and scary at the same time. I can’t wait to knit my first sleeves in the round. Won’t they be pretty?

    Thanks so much for this offer. I love reading the blog. 🙂

  37. I’ve only tried knitting in the round once before, and it was a disaster. I’d love some patterns to encourage a second try!

  38. My first knitting project was in the round using toothpicks – Shelton the Turtle from Knit Picks. I prefer knitting in the round – far less purling for one thing.

  40. I love making scarves and cowls. Cowls are my favorite to make in the round. There is just something fun about watching them develop and you knit/crochet.

  41. I knit in the round as much as I can; hats, socks, sweaters, etc. My most challenging so far was a moebius cowl.

  43. sounds awesome!!! I would love to have it. I just knitted my first hat in the round and it wasn’t as easy as I thought.. I was very proud of this accomplishment.

Have you read?

10 Knitted Christmas Bauble Patterns for a Tree Full of Handmade Charm

There’s always room for one more Christmas decoration, especially when it uses yarn you already own. That’s my reasoning, anyway. Those little leftover balls that aren’t quite enough for a hat suddenly look much more promising when you start thinking about knitted baubles.

I love the idea of adding a few handmade ornaments to the tree each year. They don’t all have to match, either. A traditional colourwork ball beside a slightly cheeky Christmas pudding feels far more interesting than a tree where everything arrived in the same box.

These knitted Christmas bauble patterns include flat-knit designs, festive characters and detailed colourwork ornaments. Most are free, with a paid collection included for anyone who wants plenty of designs to work through. Some suit newer knitters; others are small projects for practising skills you already know.

Christmas Baubles Knitted Flat

The free Christmas Baubles—Knit Flat pattern from Tat’sgrans Treasures is worth a look if knitting tiny rounds doesn’t appeal. It includes three sizes and charted words such as Peace, Hope, Love and Joy, worked using intarsia. The flat construction is approachable, although the lettering adds a challenge beyond basic stocking stitch. I’d choose this for meaningful gift ornaments, particularly when one of those words suits the person receiving it.

Christmas Pudding Bauble

The free Christmas Pudding Bauble by Amanda Berry has all the appeal of a festive pudding without anyone debating whether they actually like eating it. Knitted flat in DK yarn, it combines shaping, colourwork and seaming, with a little holly topper to finish. It’s best for confident beginners with some experience rather than someone learning their first knit stitch. At approximately 6 cm tall, it would make a lovely tree decoration or an extra treat tied onto a wrapped present.

Rudolf & Friends Character Baubles

The free Rudolf & Friends Ornaments by Claire Fairall bring a playful touch to a handmade Christmas tree. These character baubles are knitted flat, and the instructions include illustrations for assembly and embroidery. Hobbii lists the pattern as suitable for beginners, making it a useful option for knitters who would rather practise finishing details than stranded colourwork. The finished ornaments measure approximately 8 × 6 cm and would also look cheerful tucked into a handmade wreath.

Cute Christmas Baubles With Little Faces

The free Cute Christmas Baubles from Marianna’s Lazy Daisy Days turn small amounts of DK yarn into cheerful character decorations. Worked flat and seamed, they use simple shaping, stuffing and added facial details to create their personality. They suit knitters comfortable with knit, purl, increases and decreases who enjoy a little assembly afterwards. I rather like Marianna’s idea of using them on the Christmas dinner table before adding hanging loops for the tree.

Rudolph’s Nose Christmas Bauble

The free Rudolph’s Nose Bauble from DROPS Design is a useful choice when you want a traditional ball-shaped ornament. Designed in DROPS Flora, it uses knitting in the round with increases and decreases to create the shape. Choose this if you’re comfortable handling a small circumference and want a project focused on construction. I’d make a few in coordinating colours to bring a little consistency to an otherwise wonderfully mismatched handmade tree.

Merry Mints Bauble

The free Merry Mints Bauble from DROPS Design offers another festive option, this time designed in DROPS Cotton Merino. The instructions include working back-and-forth rows and shaping, so it’s worth considering if you prefer that approach to tiny rounds. Read through the construction before starting and pay attention to the instructions for working yarn overs to avoid unwanted holes. This would be a nice project for a knitter who enjoys seeing a shaped decoration emerge from a small piece of knitting.

Caorann Fair Isle Christmas Bauble

The free Caorann Christmas Bauble by Sarah Berry brings delicate Fair Isle detail to a small ornament. It uses fingering-weight yarn and 2.5 mm needles, with instructions sized for an approximately 60 mm bauble insert. Worked in the round, the design includes both written and charted directions for its repeated segments. I’d save this one for knitters with some colourwork experience who want to make a particularly special keepsake.

A Dated 2026 Christmas Bauble

The free 2026 Christmas Bauble by Smaatterier combines the year with two traditional Selbu rose motifs. It’s knitted in the round using stranded colourwork across the middle, with either fibre filling or a suitably sized plastic bauble inside. The charted design is listed as intermediate and finishes at approximately 6.5 cm tall. This is a lovely choice for marking a first Christmas in a new home, a family milestone or simply another year of making things by hand.

Colourful Christmas Balls From Two Strands

The free Christmas Balls by Mary Ann Stephens are full of colourwork detail, with optional touches such as duplicate stitch and nupps. The designer also discusses I-cord hanging loops, which give the ornaments a pleasingly substantial finish. These are better suited to knitters comfortable following charts and managing several colours than complete beginners. Follow the updated download directions in the post to find the patterns on the designer’s current website.

ARNE & CARLOS Christmas Ball Collection

The paid Twenty-four Christmas Balls 2024 collection by ARNE & CARLOS includes a basic ball pattern and 24 different motif charts. The ornaments are worked in the round using stranded colourwork, with a linked tutorial to help you follow the process. Although the designer lists the collection as beginner level, I’d be comfortable knitting in the round and making increases and decreases before starting. This is the pick for someone who wants a whole collection of coordinated ornaments rather than just one small project.

Choosing Yarn for Knitted Baubles

Small decorations are tempting stash projects, but check the yarn weight before diving into that leftover basket. A thicker yarn can make a much larger bauble, while changing the yarn in a fitted cover may stop it fitting the recommended insert.

For colourwork, choose shades with enough contrast for the motif to show. Two lovely colours can look surprisingly similar once they’re knitted together, especially on something this small.

Smooth yarn also makes it easier to see your stitches. Save the fluffy, sparkly and slightly mysterious leftovers for a pattern where you’re confident they’ll work.

Getting a Nicely Rounded Finish

If your pattern uses stuffing, add it gradually and spread it evenly. You’re aiming for a rounded ornament without stretching the stitches so far apart that the filling shows through. For designs worked over an insert, check the diameter and follow the instructions for when to put it inside.

Give the finishing a little time, too. A neat seam, securely woven ends and a tidy hanging loop help a small decoration feel properly finished.

I’d start with a pair for the tree and one to give away. Of course, once you’ve laid out all those yarn colours, “just three” may become a rather flexible arrangement.