Knitting

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Giveaway: Wee Garter Stitch

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wee garter stitch book review

The winner is Beverly.

Knitting for babies and toddlers is a lot of fun. The projects are usually pretty small and fast to knit, and kids universally look cute in a little knit something or wrapped up in a knit blanket.

Knitting for littles is a great way to get started knitting, or to get back into it after a break, too.

Vickie Howell’s latest, Wee Garter Stitch, shows knitters fun ways to use Garter Stitch in projects for little ones to wear, use and love. The colors and style are modern even as the stitch patterns are classic, and this book is a lot of fun for people who do a lot of knitting for babies and toddlers.

This week I’m giving away a copy. If you want a chance at winning it, leave a comment on this post before the end of the day Sunday, June 5. I’d love to hear about the little one(s) you’re knitting for. My little one is six so she’s too big for these projects, but if she were still small there are definitely some here I would make for her.

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

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Comments

  2. I have a young 4 yr old niece who was born with a heart health issue. She is facing probably another open heart surgery and she wants a pink blanket so I am knitting one for her birthday which is coming up soon. She wanted a blanket that was like what she has seen at my parents so that is where I got the idea.

  3. I’ve got someone new to knit for 🙂 my youngest is three months old. Right now I’m working on a blankie for her, but I’d love to have some patterns for cute clothes.

  5. I would love to win this book as I am the go-to person among my family and friends when a new baby gift is needed. I’d love to have something chic and new to choose from.

  7. I would love to win this so I could knit for my little 8 month old grand daughter. She has hip dysplasia and deserves extra loving.

  8. I’m knitting for my nine-month old grandson. My mother knit for his father; I’m keeping up the tradition.

  9. Adorable! After living in El Paso, the Army is moving our three young granddaughters to Omaha. I’m looking forward to finally being able to knit sweaters for them

  10. I am always knitting baby knits for my friends so am always on the lookout for new ideas as, although I like traditional knits, I also like to put a new twist on things. This book looks like it could provide some new inspiration!

  11. Knitting for little ones is a great way to try out new skills on modest size projects! Friends love to receive them as well!

  12. My daughter’s best friend just had a baby a month ago and already has a 4 year old…..would love to make them matching sweaters. Thanks for the chance to win!

  13. Wow! Thanks for this opportunity! I am just getting back into my baby-steps knowledge of knitting. Just in time to become step-mommy to a little 3 yo daughter, so this would be perfect!

  17. What a great book. I am a knitter for 11 grandchildren and also some charity organisations. I’m itching to see whats in this book..
    Thanks for the opportunity to win one.

  18. I love to make things for my daughters best friends little girl. No one in her family knits ,so she really loves everything that I make her.

  20. Our knitting group just celebrated the birth of a member’s granddaughter and we discussed how cute this book is! I personally have family members having babies and I love to knit for them! Thank you for the giveaway!

  22. Mine is already 9 years old, no more adorable baby clothes, but there’s always a baby or small child somewhere in my huge family! Thanks for the chance to win, shared on FB 🙂

  23. I don’t have little ones of my own but I love crafting for my friends’ babies. Or sometimes just knitting for charity because I saw the cutest pattern.

  24. I knit for several grandchildren of my friends. They range from months old to eight, so this book would be well used. Thank you for the giveaway chance.

  25. I’ve been knitting since I was 8, I’ve always knitted for girls though as I have 3 nieces who also had girls, plus I then had 3 girls to knit for and now have a granddaughter who I love to garter stitch cardigans for as they knit so fast, I now have a grandson though, first time I’ve knitted boys clothes. I need new patterns now.

  26. Synthetic store-bought sweaters are not warm enough so I always knit wool sweaters for the little ones.

  28. Im knitting for my almost here niece or nephew! I have loved whipping up little baby pieces but am looking forward to know ing if it will be a little boy or girl so I can really sink my teeth into some small people knits!

  29. I’ll be knitting this summer for one dear friend who’s having her first baby, my cousin, also her first, & another friend who’s baby will be a year old this winter. I love knitting baby things, it’s all the technique, & half the time of adult garments!

  30. It seems like all my nephews and nieces are having babies this year – so I’m constantly on the lookout for cute and modern baby knits!

Have you read?

Free Knitted Crown Pattern for Kids and Adults: A Sweet Handmade Dress-Up Idea

There’s something wonderfully charming about a knitted crown. It’s playful, useful for the dress-up basket, and just the sort of small project that gives a leftover ball of yarn a proper purpose. Much better than letting it roll around the cupboard for another three years.

This free knitted crown pattern for kids and adults combines a simple garter-stitch band with shaped triangular points. The mustard-gold colour gives it that storybook crown look, although pink, purple or woodland green would be equally lovely.

A Manageable Next Step for Beginner Knitters

The construction is the appealing part of this design. Everything is knitted flat, so you won’t need double-pointed needles or experience joining stitches in the round.

You knit the band first, then work each crown point separately over a group of 12 stitches. Paired decreases gradually narrow each triangle, giving you a small, repeatable section to concentrate on.

I’d describe this as a confident beginner knitting project. You’ll need to know how to knit, work two types of decreases, hold unused stitches and sew a simple seam. There are several yarn tails to weave in, so a little patience with finishing will help.

Three Sizes With Room to Personalise

The pattern includes three sizes, with seven, eight or nine crown points. Choose by the wearer’s head measurement rather than age, and check your gauge carefully. Yarn stretch will make a noticeable difference to the fit.

For birthdays, an embroidered initial would be a sweet finishing touch. Contrasting yarn diamonds could suggest little jewels without adding hard embellishments.

What to Know Before Casting On

This is a soft knitted crown, so expect gentle points rather than a rigid costume accessory. A springy wool or wool-blend yarn should give the shaping more support than a very drapey yarn.

The stitch calculations have been checked, but the design has not yet been sample-knitted. The accompanying image is an illustrative mockup, so the finished texture and proportions may vary with your yarn and tension.

For a small handmade birthday accessory or a cheerful addition to the dress-up box, this is an appealing idea. And if an adult needs a matching crown for supervising the royal household, the larger size has that covered too.