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Learn to Knit (or Teach Someone Else) This Holiday Season

November 20, 2017 by Sarah White

complete knitting skills giveawayI know we’ve all got a million other things to do right now aside from learning new skills, but once the actual holiday stuff (eating, unwrapping presents) is over, sometimes there’s extra time you don’t quite know what to do with.

So why not fill it learning new skills or teaching someone else to knit?

I’ve got just the thing to help one of you do just that.

Complete Knitting Skills by Debbie Tomkies is pretty much just what the title says. This book has tons of information on all the tools and supplies you need to get started; knitting basics like casting on, knitting, purling, increases and decreases; blocking and finishing; altering patterns to fit; choosing the right increase, decrease, cast on or bind off for a project; more advanced skills like knitting in the round, lace and cables; fixing knitting errors and more.

Even better, the book is linked to a website with 27 videos that will help you gain confidence in your knitting skills if the words and photos in the book aren’t allowing you to understand what’s happening.

This book is a great guide for a new knitter or someone who wants to learn how to knit better.

The cover is just a little bit worn, but you could even give it as a gift if you like.

If you’d like a chance to win this book, leave a comment on this post before the end of the day Sunday, Nov. 26. I’d love to know either who taught you to knit or someone you’ve taught to knit or would like to teach to knit. My grandmother and mother both taught me, and I’ve taught lots of people, though of course I’m proudest of my daughter enjoying the fiber arts!

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

Next Pattern:

  • Celebrate I Love Yarn Day by Teaching Someone to Knit
  • A Holiday Sweater That's Not Too Holiday
  • Knit the Perfect Socks for Pumpkin Season
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Comments

  1. Lee says

    November 20, 2017 at 11:41 am

    I was taught by my mom and great grandmother. I am teaching my daughter -I would love to gift to her! thank you!

  2. Kitra Woodall says

    November 21, 2017 at 7:01 am

    My mom never got a chance to teach me to knit before we lost her last year and I really want to learn!

  3. Anita says

    November 21, 2017 at 8:36 am

    I took a class years ago and then got into a group at work to knit. I have tried to teach my granddaughters but without success. Would love this book to help teach them!

  4. deb says

    November 21, 2017 at 8:38 am

    I started learning from friends & have self-taught via internet. I’ve taught a friend, starting w/ dish cloths. I work w/ Alzheimer’s patients & could use this book for good reference w/ those who want to refresh their knitting skills

  5. Kim says

    November 21, 2017 at 9:08 am

    I taught a friend while I kept her company during chemo treatments. She’s doing fine now,

  6. Anne Sias says

    November 21, 2017 at 9:38 am

    My aunt knitted and crocheted too. My mom didn’t. I taught myself watching my aunt then a friend when we were in college

  7. Margie says

    November 21, 2017 at 9:46 am

    I taught myself to knit but love sharing this craft with others. Last year, I taught my cousin to knit and after the holidays, I’ll be teaching my sister. This book would be a great gift for her. Thank you!

  8. Karey says

    November 21, 2017 at 10:46 am

    What a great way to help someone learn.

  9. Jennifer Martin says

    November 21, 2017 at 11:49 am

    I took a class as a teen and though I am right-handed, taught my leftie college roommate to knit! That was years ago now. Would love the book to help me teach my grandchildren to knit! Thank you for the opportunity to win this nice book.

  10. Linda Schroeder says

    November 21, 2017 at 12:35 pm

    LI love to knit and would love to know how to pass on the craft. Not the best teacher, so I’d like some hints. I tried with my nieces but would like to show some of the kids in school.

  11. Deborah Jankowski says

    November 21, 2017 at 1:12 pm

    I would love to have the book for my daughter, whom I am teaching to knit! I am carrying on the tradition started by my mom and grandmother!

  12. joyce hancock says

    November 21, 2017 at 3:15 pm

    I was taught to knit by my mom and her best friend. I have 3 grandchildren so far and can’t wait until they become old enough to teach knitting to.

  13. Joan says

    November 21, 2017 at 7:52 pm

    My mother in law taught me to knit. When I first met her she was knitting socks on 4 needles. She was so fast at it. She was very inspiring and only to happy to share her skills. Since then I do both knit and crochet. I like to do both on my projects. I taught my daughters to knit and crochet. I am happy to teach and share.

  14. Donna says

    November 21, 2017 at 8:13 pm

    My sister taught me to crochet when I was a little girl but I’ve never learned to knit. It has been on my bucket list since I retired but I haven’t gotten around to it yet. Twin grand babies have been keeping me busy. But it’s still on my list and a comprehensive book would help immensely! Thanks for the chance!

  15. Toni says

    November 23, 2017 at 7:26 am

    My Mother and Grandmother taught me to knit, my Great Grandmother taught me to crochet.
    I now pass my skills on at community recycle workshops, turning pre loved materials into lovely craft makes.

  16. Andrea S says

    November 25, 2017 at 7:01 am

    My Mum taught me to knit when I was very young and my Nan helped as well; she was an amazing knitter. After a 25 year break though, I’ve picked up my needles again and I’m teaching myself, although Mum helps out if I get in a pickle.

Have you read?

Fun Tank Top Knitting Patterns

It seems like every summer there’s a new crop of tank top knitting patterns, and what I noticed about a lot of the new releases this year is that they have fun little details that make them a little more interesting both to knit and to wear. 

Like the Sailoress Top from Joji Locatelli, which has a pretty cable worked up the center from and back, with shorter sections of cable work on the shoulders. It uses DK weight yarn and comes in 10 sizes up to a bust circumference of 72 inches/ 158 cm. You can find the pattern on Ravelry. 

Combine lace and cables in an allover pattern on the Mountain Laurel Top from Andrea Gaughan. This sport weight pattern is worked from the bottom up in the count and has 10 sizes. It’s available on Ravelry.

The Vienna Textured Tank Top by Sarah Hatton has wide ribs broken up by eyelets. There’s very little shaping so it’s a pretty easy knit worked in fingering weight yarn. There are nine sizes available and it’s a free download on Ravelry.

Make a tank with a boho vibe perfect for festival season with Mary Beth Temple’s Tropical Sunset Tank Top. Worked in worsted weight cotton yarn, it’s knit from the bottom up in pieces to make it more stable. The coloring changing yarn is perfect for this one, or you can make it solid or work in your own stripes. You can get the XS size free on her blog, and other sizes are available on Ravelry.

Looking for a cropped lacy V-neck top to knit for summer? Jessie Maed Designs has the Sundae Swirl Tank, worked in DK weight yarn in the round with a fun combination of lace and cables. The ribbing under the arms helps give it a great fit. There are six sizes up to a chest measurement of 62 inches/157.5 cm. You can find this one on Ravelry.

How about a tank top with buttons? The Ridge Tank Button Down from Bluebird Pine Shop could double as a vest in cooler weather. This one is made with light fingering weight yarn and comes in 10 sizes. Grab a copy on Ravelry.

An otherwise simple top can be made a little more interesting with the addition of a fun edging, like on Sarah Opie’s Seashell Tank. Worked in fingering weight yarn, it has a whopping 24 sizes and lots of customization options for making it fit the way you want. The edging is crocheted. Learn more on Ravelry.

7 Tank Top Knitting Patterns

A Great Simple Tank Top Knitting Pattern

A Great Tank Top Knitting Pattern for Summer

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