Knitting

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Heldover Giveaway: Light & Layered Knits

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light & layered knits giveawayI usually let my giveaways run for one week unless I’m just not paying attention to pick a winner, but last week’s giveaway hasn’t gotten a whole lot of love so I thought I would post it again and leave it up for another week.

Light & Layered Knits is a great book for transitioning among seasons, offering tops that can be worn alone or with something else on top (or in the case of sweaters, as the top layer themselves). There are some projects perfect for summer, but great for other times of year as well, particularly if you’re hot natured or live in a warm climate.

If you want in on this giveaway, add a comment to this post (the original giveaway post is linked above and I’ll add those commenters to the list when I pick a winner.

Make sure you have your comment in before the end of the day Sunday, August 17 to be considered for the giveaway.

I asked last week for people to tell me some good news, but you can also tell me something you’re looking forward to (me: I’m almost done with my book!) or anything else you want to share.

Thanks for visiting, commenting and sharing and good luck!

Comments

  2. Wow – Thanks so much for holding this over! Not sure how I missed this last week….I would love to win this book! I suppose my brain is about completely fried with the kids getting stir-crazy, arguing and fighting more and more as the days go by…not to mention all the back to school shopping and prep, etc. So needless to say – I cannot wait for the kids to get back to school so I can get back into my normal routine and get my sanity back! Does that make me a horrible Mom?!?!

  3. I have this book on my Christmas list – would love to win a copy!

    Thanks for holding over the giveaway and thanks for the opportunity!!

  4. Love Love the light sweater pictured above! Thank you for sharing this! Would enjoy the beauties that would come from this book!

  5. I’m looking forward to cooler days – summer’s always rough on the M.S. Plus, it’s more comfortable knitting the big projects in cooler weather!

  6. I’m looking forward to going home and getting some major knitting and craft sorting done! After spending 4 months in Georgia with my daughter’s family, I’m ready to go home. One grandson had open-heart surgery and my daughter was on bed-rest and has now had the twins. I love my daughter and my grandchildren – all 7 of them (and even my son-in-law!), but I’m ready to get back to Minnesota and start my life anew after my recent divorce. I need some time and space to get my head and heart together.

    So, this is really a good news/looking forward comment!!!

  7. Thank you for holding this over. This looks incredible, I would love this for my sister who selflessly knits for everyone but herself. She is keen to learn everything and has gone from scarves to socks to lace knitting in no time. I can just picture her in this.

  8. I’m really looking forward to finishing the first sweater I’ve knit. It is a cabled top, and I had to order extra yarn twice! The second time I ordered the right color and wrong yarn.

  9. The sweater/dress/top in the photo is GORGEOUS! I would love to make that for me and for gifts! I am looking forward to getting back into fall and canning and crafting as the summer heat has taken a harsh toll on this farmers wife! Thank you for the opportunity!

  10. I am so looking forward to next month (September) so I can take a vacation with my oldest daughter!!

  11. Don’t know how this giveaway slipped past me! I’m looking forward to the cooler weather for sure! Also, my son is finally returning to college after a couple of years off so I’m excited for him!

  12. Thank you for the “hold over.”

    Most of my knits have been heavy. It would be nice to have some knits for warmer weather and for layering. I can go from hot to cold and back again in a very short period of time. Layering is good. 🙂

  13. I don’t remember seeing this before, so I’m really glad you held it over. This looks like a very interesting book with lots of really usable patterns in it for me.

  14. I’m looking forward to cooler weather, and to our goats and sheep having their babies (how much bigger can those pregnant critters get??). Thank you for extending this giveaway, how could I have missed it the first time? It looks like a wonderful book. 🙂

  16. I love the picture. Not sure how I missed it last week either but I did. I’m in Canada so I probably won’t qualify for the giveaway but will keep my eyes open for that book…it makes me want to grab some that I have in my “stash” and start to knit…..housework will still be there when I finish!!!! Beautiful day here ,really hot so will just sit and watch the water flow by.

  17. Thank you for holding this contest over. This book has been on my wishlist for a while.
    I am looking forward to getting my Christmas knitting done on time this year and also finishing up a few lingering UFOs.

  18. something I am looking forward to… let’s see… I am working on a shawl (I am new to lace knitting) and I am looking forward to trying to finish it without any mistakes! It is so much counting and checking and double checking… I am also looking forward to finishing it so that I can start something more in my comfort zone- possibly some Christmas presents for family and friends. I think this book might have a project or TWO or FIVE that might fit the bill! :>)

  20. Im looking forward to taking a week off, (just for me), and playing with yarn. Organizing my stash or creating something beautiful.

  21. I missed it last week too, because we were on vacation! No Internet could be a blessing sometimes! I like V.Square’s designs. Thank you

  24. Just ordered a jelly roll and some fabric for a new quilt, so I’m looking forward to receiving that and starting the project 🙂

  25. No idea how I missed this, but so glad you held it over! I’m looking forward to starting a new fall project…hopefully before fall starts! Can’t wait to add to my cowl collection, and maybe even throw a poncho in for good measure!

  27. It’s so great you held this giveaway over. I missed the last notice. I love light, lacy looks, and would love to own this one in order to make some for myself and others! Many thanks for extending this giveaway!

  29. This looks like just the thing for any time of year. I love layering. And I have a daughter that is always too warm. Thank you for reposting this, I must have missed it the first time around.

  30. Thank you for holding this over..don’t know how I missed this one! I’ve been wanting to get back to my knitting again and this looks like the ticket!

  31. Due to my health problems I always look forward to being well enough to knit! Thank you for the giveaway.

  32. thank you for the hold over opportunity. my happy place is when I run my sister’s bearded collie in agility. Thumper is quite the trickster. when we enter the ring and prepare to start, I like to have him sit so I can have the opportunity to get ahead of him. I say sit and he stands there and looks up at the ceiling I ask again he looks behind himself. i ask a final time and he looks sideways, as if he hears someone talking but is not quite sure where the noise is coming from. I bend down and whisper in his ear “do you want to go back to your crate? then you better sit” he loves it and knows I will take him out. suddenly he understands what sit is and then we’re off. he loves doing this to me, just because he can!!!!

  34. Good news, we just bought a new house. Bad news, every room needs to be painted. Any helpers out there?

  35. Really love your site! You always have great inspiring ideas. My good news- I am visiting my 19 mos old god daughter in Louisiana . What a blast we are having , we are doing arts and crafts with JUJU.

  36. Somehow missed it last week, sorry.
    I am looking forward to knitting through some of my stash this fall so I can buy more yarn!

  37. Where was I last week? Don’t know how I could have missed this one, I love to layer this would be great to own.

  38. I’m a very warmblooded person, so am always looking for lighter knits. What is the good news – we have SUMMER! I have said that after the winter and spring we just endured I would NOT complain about the very hot and oddly humid weather we are having. Oh – and we haven’t had a monsoon in a few days.

  41. My daughter would love this book,looks like lovely things to knit,thank-you for the giveaway!! Good luck everyone.

  42. Only a couple more weeks till school starts again and my daughter has been accepted into the college of her choice!

  43. Missed this the first time. I’m looking forward to finishing the baby blanket I’m knitting. Only inches to go. Then really looking forward to picking a new knitting project. The book would be perfect.

    Darla

  44. Thanks for extending this. I totally missed it the first time! Beautiful knits. I’m looking forward to getting my craft room in shape! Wish me luck.

  45. I’m looking forward to the end of the month when my daughter and her family moved to a new house. and the end of September when my eldest Granddaughter is at primary school full time.

  48. This is a beautiful book! I’m looking forward to finishing all my projects in progress and start a new one!

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.