Knitting

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Giveaway: Seamless (or Nearly Seamless) Knits

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seamless knits giveaway

 

Congratulations to Marly!

In the northern part of the world we are clearly into sweater knitting (if not quite sweater wearing) season, so I thought it would be appropriate this week to give away a book that has some quick to knit sweaters in it.

Seamless (or nearly seamless) Knits by Andra Knight-Bowman is a fun little book with 19 patterns for projects — sweaters, tops and vests — that require minimal finishing when the knitting is done. Some are knit from the top down, others from the bottom up, still more with a combination of methods.

Several of these are great first sweater projects, and there are a few that require a bit more skill as well.

I really like that sweater on the cover, but as I noted in my review linked above, these garments are often more cropped than I’d like, so if you check it out or happen to win this giveaway, you might want to bear that in mind and buy an extra ball of yarn to give yourself a little more coverage if that’s something you’re a fan of.

Want a chance to win this book? Leave a comment on this post by the end of the day Sunday, Sept. 22, and I’ll pick a winner at random.

Why don’t you tell me about your sweater knitting preferences if you have them. Top down, bottom up or seamed? Raglan, drop shoulder or set-in sleeve? Pullover or cardigan? I’m loving top-down raglan pullovers right now, but they’re my least favorite to design!

Thanks for visiting, commenting and sharing, 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

  1. Oooh, I’d love to win this! I’m actually knitting my very first sweater right now, and I started with something super complicated – the Aidez sweater. I don’t love all of the seams, but I like that there are enough complicated details to keep me interested.

  4. I have, as of yet, to have gotten the courage to knit a sweater. Perhaps this book would give me the courage. I’m quite comfortable knitting on circular needles. You say some are great first sweater patterns….I would so like to win this book. Thank you very much for the chance.

  8. I’ve never knit a sweater but the one on the cover of the book really caught my eye! I’d love to try it…

  9. I’m a knitted newbie and have yet to make a sweater but the one on the cover has my fingers itching to try! I love it! Thanks for the opportunity!

  11. Great looking sweater. Would love to win this book and check out the other patterns. My lace shawl in just about done. Good time for a new book.

  12. I don’t mind which way a sweater is knitted, but I do take ages before seaming as I really have to be in the mood and then will seam 2 or 3 at once!

  13. Having last year knit my first top down children’s garments, I am wanting to do one for myself now. Thank you for the giveaway chance.

  18. I have seen patterns for top down knitting for babies but not really for adults. Every pattern I have seen has been bottom up and that has worked fine for me. Looks like an interesting book. Thanks for the chance to win.

  21. I would love to win this! I love knitting, but sewing up the seams is my least favourite part of the whole process 🙂

  24. Have yet to knit myself a sweater because I’m horrible at seaming. Would love to try a pattern from this book.

  26. I love knitting jumpers- cotton for summer and woolies for winter. I do sometimes think that my sewing up at the end lets me down so would love to try some of the seamless patterns to see if it would be any different for me.

  29. minimal finishing SOUNDS GOOD TO ME! And like you, I’d add length to mine. Plus I have a DIL I’d love to make some tops for – the one on the cover looks really nice!

  30. I haven’t knit enough sweaters to have any preferences. I agree with you on the length of the popular ones. I would definitely want to make them longer, so maybe I should stick with top down. Thanks for the giveaway!

  34. I like top down raglan with as little seaming as is possible. I dislike any and all activities requiring zi see by hand. Love crocheting & knitting, and sewing by machine. I’ve figured out how to do everything I need to do to make clothing without using a nedle and thread.

  36. I really don’t like seaming, especially bad at stepped shoulders so I would love this book. I’ve done seamless top down for babies for not for an adult (yet).

  40. I’ve only ever knit from the bottom up, in pieces. It was okay, but I’d sure like to try something different. Steeks sound scary and fun, and top down sounds fun too! This looks like a great book, thanks for the chance to win. 🙂

  41. I like the way raglan sleeves look, but have not made any yet. So far, seamless sleeves are the best!

  42. Looks like some really nice sweaters in the book and little or no seaming, fabulous. I like V-neck sweaters with set-in sleeves. I enjoy detail like cables or other pattern elements.

  43. When I crocheted I learned to hate seaming, so I kept returning to top-down raglans, with picked up sleeves. Viola, no seams. As a knitter I still try for minimal seams, although I don’t mind grafting shoulders rather than three needle bind off, if the colorwork or stitch patterns calls for it. I’ve never done a knit sweater in peices and honestly don’t look forward to the process, though I feel I owe it to myself to give it a shot.

  46. Most of the sweaters that I make are top-down, and I prefer the raglan-style, although I will settle for a set-in sleeve if the need arises. I make a few cardigans, as well as pullovers, which I usually “tweak” anyway, because there’s usually something about the pattern that I don’t care for, like the waistband. This book sounds like something fresh that I could use for my sweater wardrobe this year – not only for me, but for a friend or two, if I can get them kicked out in time. What a great book to give away!! Thank you for thinking of those of us up North!!

  48. I hate sewing up a sweater when its finished – takes me nearly as long as knitting the thing in the first place! But circular needles are difficult for me because of the way I knit with a needle under my arm. However, I’m always willing to try!

  50. I’m all about seamless sweaters. I have a baby sweater I started more than a decade ago that’s all done except for sewing together. Sheesh!
    wahoomerryf on Ravelry

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.