Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

The Complete Idiots Guide To Knitting Illustrated Giveaway.

by

The Complete Idiots Guide to Knitting Illustrated by Barbara Morganroth
30 fun projects—from casting on to trying on!

Here is a step-by-step instruction book for beginning to intermediate knitters featuring 30 fun projects to wear or make for friends, including hats, mittens, scarves, neck warmers, shawls, shrugs, capelets, ponchos, wraps, sweaters, and more. Each project includes variations, recommendations, types of needles and yarn required, suggested substitutions, care and completion time.

• Features an eight-page, four-color insert with photos of finished projects
• Includes more than 150 step-by-step photos and illustrations

About the Author
Barbara Morganroth is a former soap opera and television writer who now makes her living as a cookbook and craft book writer. She has published more than 14 books, includingGingerbread: Things of Make and Bake, The Weekend Chef, and The 50 Best Cherry Recipes.
WIN WIN WIN

We are giving 3 lucky readers the chance to grab a copy of this book. For your chance to win simply enter here.

Competition Open – Worldwide
Competition Closes – August 15th.

Comments

  1. This is a most beautiful book and I have my fingers crossed for the competition. Very inspirational- I would be off on a yarn!

  4. I’d love to win this book. I’m teaching my granddaughter to knit and it would be a lovely gift for her.

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.