Knitting

Patterns, projects and techniques

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

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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!

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Comments

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

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

  3. 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. 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

  6. 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. 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!

  9. 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. 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. 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!

  13. 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. 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. 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. 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?

Yarn Cozy Knitting Patterns

I’ve been toying with the idea of making a yarn cozy or yarn ball holder on the circular knitting machine, but I haven’t gotten to it yet. In the meantime, here are some yarn cozy knitting patterns you can make with knitting needles. Use yarn to hold you yarn!

In its simplest form, a yarn cozy is just a sleeve or a little basket that holds your yarn when you’re working with a center-pull ball so it doesn’t fall apart when you knit. The easiest ones I could find are from Love in Stitches KN, which has a regular size and a mini size. They’re worked with sock yarn and there are options for making them with ribbing, faux cables and with self-striping yarn.

For bigger cakes there’s a project called We call it the “bail holder” from Nicole LeBlanc. This pattern is available on Ravelry and you can use any yarn and make it any size you like. It features an I-cord edging that has a loop in it so you can thread they yarn through the loop to keep it extra contained as you knit.

Another large one that has a slightly fancier pattern is this one by Mareike Meye. You can use any yarn and any gauge, and slip stitch pattern worked in different colors on the sides makes it a little more fun and uses a bit more stash. A strap buttons across the top to hold the ball in place and you can add a buttonhole to the middle of the strap to thread the yarn through. Check this one out on Ravelry.

Adding lace to a yarn cozy makes it fit a wider variety of balls and expand or shrink a bit as needed. Jennifer Sugarman’s Ball Sack uses sock yarn and is made to hold sock yarn. It has the option of making I-cord or using ribbon or cord you already have to make a drawstring at the top. You can find this pattern on Ravelry.

Another lacy option is the yarn ball holder from Frugal Knitting Haus. This one uses worsted weight yarn and has an easy mesh lace pattern and an I-cord drawstring that’s sewn together at the ends so you could loop it over your wrist while you knit if you like. This pattern is also on Ravelry.

Speaking of wrist yarn holders, I also found this one form Knituition. This one uses sport weight yarn and has a spiral rib pattern on the body. The strap is attached to the bag with D-rings, or you could make it a little longer and just sew it into the bag.