OK! I had 21 entries in the book draw for Sweet Shawlettes - and random.org says the lucky winner is...
Congratulations, Sparkleduck!! You get the book. Everyone else - thanks for playing! Please come back next week when I'll have a Wheel of the Year sock yarn skein to give away to one lucky winner. Myself? I think I'll be casting on arabesque. Just as soon as I have some needles free...
A few months ago, Jean Moss contacted me to ask if I'd like to be part of the *international* blog tour for her upcoming book release. Well, sure! I'm honoured! In the best Saturday Giveaway tradition, I have one copy of 'Sweet Shawlettes' to give away - full details are at the end of this post.
Jean's opening comment in the introduction to this elegant book of accessories is, "I've always been a doer. I need to make things with my hands," - a comment that resonates so strongly with me, and I know with a lot of other people who read this blog.
I'm convinced that the world is enriched by making, not just in a material way, but by awakening people to the joys of creativity, by keeping traditional skills alive, by reminding us (in this age of rapidly accessibly and easily disposable consumer goods) that really great things often take time, energy and thought to achieve, and are worth holding on to. Despite the title of the book ('Sweet Shawlettes'), it contains far, far more than just shawlettes. All the projects are neckwear - sure - but they range from full-size shawls to cowls; capelets to innovative scarves; natty little neckwarmers to knitted necklaces. Some of the projects are small, and could be whipped up in an evening or two. Others are larger, and would provide a nice challenge over a longer time period. As Jean herself points out, the neck is a very sensual part of the body, so neckwear is a perfect opportunity to grab a special skein or two - hand dyed, hand spun, or a precious souvenir, perhaps - to fashion yourself a little bit of luxury that can be kept - quite literally - close to your heart. In addition, a lot of the projects in this book would be a great way to learn a new skill. In this treasure-trove of a book you can find patterns featuring lace, intarsia, entrelac, Fair Isle, cables, short row shaping and knitting in the round!
The book is divided into four sections: Country, Couture, Folk and Vintage. I admit that I expected to find my favourite pieces in the 'Country' and 'Folk' sections - couture and high fashion don't have much place in the life of a dyer living in the country, who shares her life with two hairy, enthusiastic dogs! And 'vintage' too often conjures up kitschy, 50s inspired pieces in today's lexicon: great for those that can wear them, but not my thing. However, I was delighted to find favourites in all four sections! My very-most favourite is 'Arabesque' - pictured above - which is indeed from the Folk section. What can I say: it caught me the very first time I opened the book, and has yet to be surpassed. But I also love the clean simplicity and graphic appeal of Penumbra, from the Couture section. Penumbra looks like a simple black-and-white stripe - but there's a secret. Look along, rather than directly at, the fabric, and you get dynamic zig-zags, thanks to the magic of shadow-knitting!
Moving away from the stark black-and-white, I think that Madame Alfred, who joins us from the Country section, has to have the next mention! The first pattern in the book, this is also one of the larger projects, and combines lace techniques and intarsia - and a frill! - in rich, saturated, full-colour design that I would love to have on hand for cooler moments in the summer. (My summer fantasies often include drinking tea in an immaculate garden. The reality tends to include mud, weeds and dogs, not necessarily in that order. But I can still have a bit of handknit elegance around, right?)
I found this to be a very well-designed and structured book, with impeccable attention to detail. The photography is beautiful, and there is lots of additional information in the appendices, which include a pictorial index of projects (yes! One of my favourite features in a book or magazine!), a list of the yarns used, their fibre content and CYCA size rating (plus a handy copy of the CYCA information itself, right there in the book). Other sections introduce techniques used in the book, discuss trimmings and buttons, and there is a lovely section on colour choice, hidden away next to the 'Vamp' pattern (a sweet and versatile boa-style scarf from the 'Vintage section - you didn't think I was going to leave a section out, did you?)
Hurray!! Come and join the fun! All you have to do is leave a comment on this blog post before noon (UK time) next Saturday (the 17th). Let me know what your favourite project in the book is (you can see them all here, on Jean's site) - or, if you can't pick, what your favourite section is! I'll select the winner by random draw, and post the results on Saturday evening.
Be a groupie! There is lots more of the tour still to go; here's the schedule!
Hey guys, it's leap day! The day that, every four years, makes my birthday arrive a day late... (Well, when your birthday is March 1, you tend to feel that way) Let's have a flash competition! I have here almost 13 skeins of Ecoknit organic cotton, which I bought as a kit to knit the Ginko leaves tunic from Fiddlesticks knitting. It's been taking up a lot of room in my stash for several years, and I think it's time for it to live somewhere else.
The yarn is gorgeous (and discontinued!). This is organic cotton, and the colour is natural (grown-in), not dyed. The pattern is rather lovely. But I haven't knit it yet, and I don't know when I will. I did swatch - which is why one skein is wound and not quite complete. Do you want it? Comment on this post by noon UK time tomorrow! (I'll also include the pattern, if I can find it. No guarantees on this one, though!) Want an extra chance?
You get an extra entry in the draw for each new page like/follow share, each retweet/mention.
May you all get everything you need, and most of what you want (as a wise person said on Ravelry today. I can't remember who; sorry!) Many, many thanks to everyone who played along in my week-long competition; the correct answers were 'Footsie-HT' and 'Delphinium'. A couple of people got both right - well done! - but the winner of the draw is Jelibe! Congratulations; I think new yarn is the perfect way to start off the new year. Or I would, except I clearly have too much of the fuzzy stuff already. The end-of-year stash roundup is too scary to post next to a winning competition announcement, so I'll save it for later.
Footsie-HT, Delphinium
Just like the previous clue, everyone who comments will get an extra entry into the draw. Get the name right, and get two entries!
I'll be announcing the winner on the evening of New Year's day itself - you can comment on any of the competition posts up til 16:00 UK time on the first (that's 11:00 in New York, 08:00 in Los Angeles, 03:00 in Sydney!) The first post is here; the next one is here. Feel free to comment on all the posts - but only one comment each *per* post, please! Have fun, everyone, and Happy New Year!
Hey there! Thanks to everyone who has already entered my Mystery Yarn draw! Comment on this entry to get another entry in the draw - or two! Just answer this question: which Yarnscape yarn base is this? Feel free to check out my Etsy shop, especially my sold items, and the Ravelry Yarnscape page for clues!
You get one entry in the draw just for commenting. Get the answer right, and you have two more entries in the draw! Come back on the 31st for another clue, and two more chances to enter the draw... I'll be announcing the winner on the evening of New Year's day itself - you can comment on any of the competition posts up til 16:00 UK time on the first (that's 11:00 in New York, 08:00 in Los Angeles, 03:00 in Sydney!) Come on, join in, let's see how many countries and continents we can have represented!)
This week's winner is Christopher Bahls, aka @knitcowboy!
Again, I wish I had loads of copies to give away here; but sadly, no. But! I do have other book for Saturday Giveaway - perhaps next time?!
The second in my Saturday Giveaway series! (Perhaps this will be a fortnightly thing...)
ENTRIES NOW CLOSED - Please come back next Saturday (or perhaps the one after) for round 3!
This is a randomly-drawn blog contest. To enter, leave a comment on THIS post. (If you're not interested in winning the book but still wish to comment, feel free to say so!) I will select a winner by means of a super-sekrit process, and announce the result by Tuesday night at the latest. This draw is open to readers from all over the world, so please, join in!
What is today's giveaway?
Today, I'm giving away a single copy of Jaeger Handknits pattern booklet, JB28:
I bought this book from my LYS a few years ago, and I've browsed it a few times, but it's not ever really been used. It's in bookstore-shelf condition - pretty mint.
What is it?
This softback book contains 16 knitting patterns for men's sweaters. The designs, all by Rowan star Martin Storey, range from the simple and classic to the slightly odd. part from that, there's not a lot to say - it's a pattern booklet from the Rowan stables, you know what to expect. (Also, Rav link here).
What do I like best?
This book contains some classic men's sweater and cardigan patterns. My fave is probably 'Bowie', pictured above, but I'm also quite taken with the 'Jethro' cardigan (a sweater version is also included):
As a whole, the patterns in this book make great use of texture, and some man-appropriate colour, too. I particularly like the use of purl lines instead of the extra yarn colour in this take on the classic Argyle:
All the patterns in this book use DK or 4-ply weight yarns, which (in my experience) is great for knitting for men - the ones in my life don't seem interested in chunky sweaters.
What do I like least?
Um.
Personal taste, I know. There's also a V-neck sleeveless sweater with an intarsia Union Jack on it.I'll spare you the photo.
Also, one of the cabled patterns in the book is just a wee bit too intricate and fussy for most men, I think:
Why am I giving this book away?
I've realised that these designs are not much use to the men in my life. Even in 4 ply, most of these designs are too heavy for my other half. Also, he's six foot two, with long arms; I think he'll be getting machine knit sweaters from now on.
Robocass!! - who was commenter number 2 of those who actually wanted to be in the draw. (Thanks go to random.org for being my selection mechanism on this occasion.) Congratulations; I'll be emailing you right away to ask for your postal address.
In the meantime, if you're not Robocass, don't despair; I've got plenty more books and other goodies to review and give away. This has been so much fun; I'm definitely going to do it again. Thank you all for your lovely comments - I've had a blast!
I'd also like to thank Dot for commenting to say that Tekapo yarns *are* available in the UK. I'm sorry if anyone thought I meant that they weren't available at all; that wasn't my intent. I just haven't, personally, seen them!
I'll be listing another Saturday giveaway this week - though I haven't decided what. Yet!!
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