Knitting

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Giveaway: Simple Color Knitting

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simple color knitting

Patrice is the winner!

I’m a big fan of color knitting — I’ve written a book on it! — and I love books that help encourage knitters not the be afraid of using colors in their projects.

Erika Knight’s Simple Color Knitting does just that. It’s a pretty gentle approach to working with color that starts with things like stripes and working with two different colors held together to make an ombre effect.

It also covers stranded knitting, intarsia, slipping stitches and add color with duplicate stitch and embroidery.

In all there are 20 patterns (including one that’s actually a solid color), and these are pretty nice, entry-level, introduction to color knitting technique kind of patterns. It’s maybe not a book for people who are already comfortable with many of these methods for adding color to knitting, but if you want to stitch more colorful projects and don’t know where to start, this book is a good place.

One winner this week will get a copy of this book.

If you’d like it to be you, leave a comment on this post before the end of the day Sunday, Feb. 28. I’d love to know where you are in terms of color knitting experience. Have you only worked with multicolored or self-striping yarn, or maybe knit stripes or tried some other techniques? Or maybe you’re a pro and want to gift this book to someone else? Either way I’d love to know.

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

Comments

  2. I tend to knit in solid colors because I love to knit cables and other intricate designs.

  4. I just started knitting last month. I love self striping yarn. I have knitted socks in a solid color and would love to see what this book has to offer. I will have to check it out if I don’t win it, I will buy it!

  5. I am currently working on my first color project. As usually I challenge myself instead of starting out easy. I am knitting a sports team logo on a sweater for my husband and have to figure it out as I go.

  6. I have only knit with solid colors and variegated yarn but I am looking forward to trying to knit with colors.

  7. I’ve only worked with self striping yarn, but would like to learn to add color where I want it instead.

  9. I I bought the book in French… It is gorgeous. I love self striping yarn but would like to do more. If I win the book I will give my French copy to a friend.

  10. I usually stick to solids, but I love the visual effect of stripes and ombres. I’d love to read your beautiful book!

  11. I pretty new to color knitting. I have tried Fair Isle and Mosaic hats before. I’m not very good with stripes and the color changes at the end of a row. I would love to knit with color more, but am timid when it comes to picking out colors to go together.

  12. Erica Knight is one of my favorite designers and I have made several of her sweaters. Now, I am halfway through my first fair isle sweater.

  13. I have mostly worked in solid colours, although I have begun to change colours a little bit recently.

  14. I’ve done a lot of stranded colorwork, but only minimal intarsia and no entrelac. I’d love to master intarsia in particular.

  19. I have always loved colors, which began with a box of 100 crayons. That is why I love yarn and knitting with all the variables of color and texture. I’ve always been attracted to fair isle knitting for the designs. When we traveled the Netherlands, I was so excited to see the wools and creativity.
    Jane spence

Have you read?

Vintage Bed Socks Knitting Pattern – A Cozy Little Gift Project With Old-Fashioned Charm

There is something wonderfully nostalgic about a pair of handmade bed socks, isn’t there? They are practical, pretty, and just the sort of project that feels like it belongs beside a cup of tea, a good film, and a basket of wool that is pretending not to be overflowing.

This vintage Bed Socks knitting pattern is one of those sweet little patterns that still feels useful today. Originally from the Jaeger Hand-Knit Series No. 44, the design features a simple garter-stitch foot, a ribbed cuff, eyelet holes, a crochet chain tie, and little tassel-style pom-poms at the front. The original pattern even describes them as “a very acceptable present,” and honestly, I don’t think much has changed there.

These would make a lovely handmade gift for someone who is always cold, someone recovering or resting, or anyone who appreciates a bit of old-fashioned comfort. They would also be beautiful as a Mother’s Day gift, a winter birthday present, a Christmas stocking filler, or a “just because you deserve cozy feet” project.

The pattern itself is delightfully simple in construction. The socks are knitted flat, beginning at the lower edge, with the foot worked in garter stitch before moving into the ribbed upper section. The decorative eyelet row allows for a crochet chain cord to be threaded through, and the finishing tassels give the socks that charming vintage look. The top edge is finished with a row of double crochet, which adds a neat handmade touch.

The original measurements list the socks as approximately 10½ inches from the top to the lower edge of the heel, with a 9¾ inch foot length, and the pattern notes that the size can be adapted. As with many vintage knitting patterns, modern knitters will want to check gauge carefully and choose a soft yarn that feels comfortable against the skin. A cozy wool blend, soft acrylic, or washable yarn would all work depending on whether you are making these for everyday use or as a special gift.

I especially love that this pattern has that “giftable” quality without being a massive project. It is small enough to feel achievable, but still special enough that the finished pair looks thoughtful. And let’s be honest, handmade socks with pom-poms are always going to beat a last-minute candle from the supermarket.

The PDF version has been cleaned up and formatted for easier reading while keeping the original vintage design intact. It also includes a modern pink mockup image and the original vintage scan, so you get both the historical charm and a fresh idea of how the finished socks could look today.

If you enjoy vintage knitting patterns, cozy handmade gifts, or quick projects that feel useful rather than just decorative, this sweet little bed socks pattern is a lovely one to add to your collection.

You can find the Vintage Bed Socks Knitting Pattern PDF in the CraftGossip Etsy store.

For supplies, this is also a nice stash-friendly project. A soft yarn from Mary Maxim or Amazon would work well, and if you make pom-poms regularly, a small pom-pom maker is one of those inexpensive tools that saves a surprising amount of fiddling.