Knitting

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Book Review – Speed Knitting

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speed knitting book giveaway

Congratulations to Gill!

I’m here to help you with your holiday knitting problems, with this week’s giveaway of Speed Knitting.

OK, even if I mail this one more promptly than usual, it might be a little late for this year, but I’ll bet you can still ship up a couple of pairs of bulky mittens, a lacy poncho or a skinny scarf before the holiday season is over.

This book includes 24 projects, worked with big yarn and needles, and tries to hit a lot of different gift recipients, from babies to dogs and cats, teens and women, and a couple that would work for men as well. There are garments, accessories and projects for the home.

It’s got a lot of great basic patterns (see on Ravelry) that you’ll enjoy knitting even when you’re not in a huge hurry.

If you’d like a chance to win this book, leave a comment on this post by the end of the day Sunday, Nov. 28. I’d love to know what you’re working on for gift knitting this year. Other than the requisite warm things for my daughter, I’m not sure I’m knitting anything for anyone, but I’ve been known to change my mind at the last minute!

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

Specific to knitters, you can join our Knitting Patterns Only group to get, well, knitting patterns, ask questions and gain inspiration for what to knit next.

Looking for Yarn online? Check out Lionbrand our preferred source for purchasing yarn online.

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Comments

  2. I’ve just learned how to knit, so I’m going to start with the basics and keep it simple for a bit. Hats and scarves mostly

  5. I have completed six afghans for family this year! Your book sounds like a great one for trying to finish up a few more last minute items!

  6. I’m knitting a scarf with a puppy dog head on one end and feet on the other. I usually do more crochet, so this is a nice change for me.

  9. I am working on a cover for my husband to cover his cast while he goes hunting so his hand will stay warm.

  10. I am trying to knit rather quickly a poncho for my 13 yr old niece. She lives in South Florida so no need for the scarves or hats but a poncho is something she can wear when it gets a bit cooler.

  11. I am knitting Slipper Socks for my six girls – two daughtets and four granddaughters. Also Also cabled headbands and a sweater.

  14. I began an ambitious king size Afghan in June on size 8 needles and am just now putting on the finishing edges. I worked on it 5-6 hours a day, 7 days a week and will be a Christmas gift for my brother and his wife. It’s done in a patchwork fashion done with individual designs that are personal to them. He works for the railroad, so there is a train patch, they raise chickens, so I did a chick and rooster patch. Well, you get the idea. It was the biggest project I have ever taken on, developed carpal tunnel, had the hand surgery, and often fretted that it would not be completed by Christmas but it will be. It is my biggest accomplishment.Next I want to make shawls for folks in nursing homes. I think that will give me even a greater sense of worth.

  19. This book looks great. I finished two headbands over the weekend (super fast projects) and am flirting with starting socks for my mom but am a little intimidated by the gauge.

  20. I am currently knitting mini sweater decorations for my granddaughters. I would love to work on something larger for a change.

  22. I am going to start on a Jacques hat by Wool and the Gang for my daughter – other than that I have not thought of what I should make! This book would for sure assist me!

  23. I love quick projects that still reflect the time, talent and love that goes into each piece. Just completed an array of pumpkins in various yarns for a fall centerpiece. Currently working g on completing a scarf for my Blackhawk fan son!, An Afghan for my DIL and a textired throw follow.
    I’d certainly love another book to add to my library.

  24. I will be starting a Poncho for one daughter and using up Xmas yarn by doing Turban headbands and ornament cozies.

  28. I’m done making….cute little sheep pins for my spinning friends, requisite crochet cotton dishcloth for my teacher friends.

  30. I just finished an infant prayer shawl for the parents of a stillborn son. Have made many adult prayer shawls from the prayer shawl website.

  34. I am working on a baby bias blanket. It’s so slow. I am working with small needles. I’m afraid the baby will be ready for college before I finish!!!!!

  37. Not that I realistically think I’ll finish before the 25th but furiously stitching my way through 2 blankets for my 5 and 6 year-old nephews. They are too cool for hats now

  40. I need this book, even though I typically knit with worsted weight or smaller yarn. I love accessories and I just don’t have enough time to make everything I want to gift!

  42. Panchos for my newest GRAND seem to be the order…safer for the carseat…and who wants to be dull and have just one!!

  43. I have just finished ten pairs of mitts to raise funds for my granddaughter’s school. Now I am concentrating on finishing two jumpers for one daughter, fingerless gloves for another daughter and two jumpers for my granddaughter before Christmas day. I love a knitting challenge!

  46. I’m knitting gift sacks w/o Christmas colors so they can be used year round. I’m also making a few flat ornaments, wash clothes, tea towels and head bands to go into sacks. These are for my daughters.

  47. I’m working on a scarf, a shawl, and 2 blankets. Wish I was more of a speed knitter sometimes, but I have to admit I love the process, however fast or slow the progress!

  49. With a possible 4th baby among friends in a year, I’m bust crochet & knitting baby items. Along with hats, mittens, scarfs, socks, blankets, shawls, etc….and a hoodie pullover for an adult son (he actually wants me to make it, in blue or red to match his sporty car)!!

  50. My big project this year is a mermaid tail afghan for my older daughter, who loves The Little Mermaid.

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.