Knitting

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Giveaway: The Knitting All Around Stitch Dictionary

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knitting all around stitch dictionary giveaway

Martha is the winner!

My love of stitch dictionaries is well documented. They’re so fun to look through, play with and get inspired by.

One of the potential problems with using stitch patterns in projects, though, is that they can look quite different when worked in different ways, such as flat versus in the round or from the top down versus bottom up. And you might want to work different parts of the same garment in different ways (such as bottom up, flat pieces for a cardigan but working the sleeves top down in the round).

Wendy Bernard has devoted a lot of time to thinking about, swatching, twisting and turning stitch patterns so they can be worked in all directions. She’s written two books on the subject: The Up, Down, All Around Stitch Dictionary and her latest, The Knitting All Around Stitch Dictionary.

Both books contain 150 stitch patterns and have instructions — written and charted — for how to work them flat and in the round, top down and bottom up. They are great references whether you want to change the stitch pattern used in a knitting pattern you already have or you want to design something for yourself.

What’s even better about this book is that you can see more of each stitch. When a swatch is reversible, the back of the swatch is shown along with the front side. When a top-down version looks slightly different than the bottom-up version, both versions are now shown. The pictures are large and detailed so you can really see what the patterns look like.

There are also six projects in the book you can knit as they are or change up the stitch patterns, as well as some plain vanilla projects just waiting for you to thrown on a stitch pattern, which is great design practice.

This week I’m giving away a copy of the latest book as well as some Blue Sky Alpaca yarn like what was used in the swatches seen in the book. Thanks to STC Craft for the generous prize!

If you live in the United States and are interested in winning this book, leave a comment on this post before the end of the day Sunday, May 29. I’d love to know if you have any stitch dictionaries and, if you do, if you have a favorite. I have to say volume one of Barbara Walker’s Treasuries of Knitting Patterns is almost never on my shelf because I use it so much!

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

Comments

  1. I tried knitting in the round. Gave up and used a pattern that gays stitched together.

  2. Hi! this book looks so fun and interesting! I do have 750 Knitting Stitches: The Ultimate Knit Stitch Bible and it’s pretty good, but I am always looking for more inspiration. Thanks for having this giveaway!

  3. I have looked at a few but I currently do not have one. I have checked them out of the library before.

  5. Looking at a book of stitches is so encouraging when I want to try something new. The only problem though is being sure about counting those stitches when doing a lace stitch pattern. Love the challenge though.

  6. Thank you so much for this giveaway. I hope I am the selected recipient. I have recently retired due to illness and now have time to knit.

  7. I’very started a knit and crochet group at our library and I need to have great visualservice for my knitters. This sounds like an answer to my prayers.

  9. I’m a big fan of stitch dictionaries! Among my faves are the Barbara Walker series and Vogue. I LOVE that the stitches in Wendy’s book are multi-directional!

  10. I don’t have any stitch dictionaries… yet! I love getting inspired by new (to me) stitches, so get many, many newsletters, but no compendiums yet. Thank you for considering!

  11. I have “Up, Down, All Around” and I’m kind of obsessed with it. I can’t wait to check out her new one!

  12. I have the 1977 edition of The Encyclopedia of Knitting & Crochet Stitch Patterns. I haven’t done much with different stitches yet, but I’d like to!

  14. I do not have any stitch patterns books but I love that it shows the difference from all angles and also front and back.

  15. I own the Knitter’s Companion, if that counts, but as soon as I saw the cover to this book, I was in love!! When I saw that Wendy wrote this book, I was practically screaming in my chair!! This is definitely a book that I have to have in my library!! What a useful book- especially due to the fact that I plan on doing some designing soon. Thank you so much for the terrific giveaway, and thank you, STC Craft for making it possible, too!!

  16. I have one, and I think I need a better one. I hear so much about Barbara Walker’s … I really should take a look at it.

  18. What a fantastic book and give away!!!!! Have always wanted a book of patterns, as it would make my knitting life so much easier than spending hours on the internet looking for new stitch patterns.

  19. I would love this book. I love knitting dictionaries but shortly after I learned to knit and was even aware there were these kinds of books I became a ‘gypsy’ moving around in a travel trailer and had no room for extra things. Now that I am in a permanent place again I need to start building my supplies and reference books. Good luck everyone!!!

  20. I usually get my stitch information off the internet. I never really thought of a book that would cover this. I just have collected some stitch info. in knitting magazines and off knitting sites. I am a fairly new knitter and this would be very handy to own. thank you for giving us knitters a chance to win this book!!

  22. I do not have a stitch dictionary, but it would be wonderful to win one. I’m sure it has tons of information I could really use. Thank you.

  24. What a great resource! I work at a Council on Aging and I’m sure the folks here would appreciate the addition to our resource library!

  25. I only have a crochet stitch dictionary and it’s an old one. Just learning to knit, I would love to lean other stitches. Thank you for this give away.

  27. I do have Two favorite go-to books, Nicky Epstein’s -Knitting On The Edge & Knitting Beyond The Edge- both just wonderful!

  29. I do not have a stitch dictionary – I do look up a lot on line! Thank you for the review and awesome giveaway!

  30. I have a bunch of stitch dictionaries on my wishlist, but none on my bookshelf yet. Would love to have one!

  31. I’m new to knitting and would love to have a stitch dictionary. Right now I hit up the ladies at the local yarn store for help. They are awesome!

  32. I have loads of stitch dictionaries, including the 4 Barbara Walker’s. I love how she personally did every single stitch. I have a McCall’s one from the 70’s I found online and a series of them by the British publisher Collins that are probably my favorites (they are republished here under another name) but that’s this month.

  34. I would like to win. I only have one stitch dictionary for Tunisian crochet. I would love to increase my knitting repertoire. Thanks

  37. Thank you for the chance to enter this contest. I do not have a stitch dictionary. I am learning, or rather teaching myself, to knit. I variety of stitches would be fun to learn!

  39. I love to knit although I do not live in the US. But fortuntaly if I win the book, I have several friends in the US you can send it to and they will take care of sending it to me! 😉

  41. I love and collect knitting books! The only stitch dictionary I have is one free e-book I downloaded and always forget I have. This book would be a great tool while I am trying to design my own patterns. ooooh, hope I win!

  42. I don’t have any stitch dictionaries. I feel like I’ve finally honed my skills enough to try to shake things up a bit and stray from written patterns. I’ve long admired Wendy’s work and own many of her patterns. She’s one writer I totally understand. 🙂

  43. I do not have one but have checked them out of the library. I knit in the round a lot and so I love Wendy’s first one. I would be so excited to win it and yarn!

  45. I have a Mon Tricot stitch dictionary, a Tunisian Crochet stitch dictionary and Up, Down, All-Around. I would love to have Knitting All Around.

  48. I am always looking for new stitches and techniques. Would be great to have an up to date version.

  49. I always say I’m going to try a new stich, and then I chicken out and do something tried and true. I’d love to win this stich dictionary and branch out!

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.