June Gifts

Please note: The giveaway is now CLOSED! June 20, 2010!!

Hi Knitters,

My oldest child graduated from high school this past weekend. That was an experience as a parent. It is overwhelming. He makes it all easy and comfortable by being a humble, appreciative and hardworking kid. He is so happy in his life and so thrilled about college next year. His happiness is contagious and that takes the sting of him growing older away a little bit.

He is my son, my buddy and my first.

Here is my Garter Yoke Cardigan progress. Love.
I keep some knitting at the ready in my favorite chair. The simple red garter stitch scarf is good for talking and knitting at the same time. The Garter Yoke Cardi is now at an easy place that is mindless as well. I just have to remember to put in the buttonholes as I go down the body. The Collector pulled out her fluffy pink blanket knitting and is working on that to keep me company. Her blanket is in the bag I sewed for her last summer in the corner there.
Ahhhh... this incredibly simple garter stitch scarf is inspired by a scarf I saw at Loop last spring. It was knit by Craig (the owner of the shop). It is knit in 2 skeins of Koigu sock yarn on size 3 needles. I started it on my way home from NYC. I cast on 40 stitches and knit away. I am on my second skein. It is so drapey already. Good stuff.
The author of the book above contacted me to see if I would like a copy of her new book, Phoebe's Sweater. Of course I said sure. It is a picture book written by Joanna Johnson and illustrated by her husband, Eric Johnson. What a talented couple. The story is about a mouse family and it is a very sweet tale.
Knitting is woven in the story as the mama mouse knits Phoebe a new sweater. It is a short story that includes knitting, seasons, family and a baby. That's all I'll say as I don't want to give too much detail away.
An incredibly nice touch is added at the end of the book. Several patterns are inlcuded in the book. The first pattern is for Phoebe's Sweater, then...
... the pattern for Phoebe Mouse...
... and finally, the pattern for the Phoebe Doll Sweater. The designs look cute and snuggly.
The book is a self-publishing venture which is always admirable. The company is called, Slate Falls Press and is out of Loveland, Colorado.

To see more about the book, the author, more illustrations and more in general please click here for the official Phoebe's Sweater site.

Here is the good thing! I have a signed copy to share with all of you. Please leave a comment on this post to win a copy of Phoebe's Sweater! Thank you to Joanna and Eric for sharing their wonderful book. I wish them loads of success.

I will be sweetening the prize pot with other goodies that have not been determined yet. I have lots of good stuff to give away and I won't hold back, I promise. I just need to look around and gather some goodies to throw in (yarn, patterns, more yarn, more patterns, etc.). When you leave your comment say hi or whatever you'd like, leave your name or ravelry id or your email address, some sort of identification. This makes it so much easier for me to get in touch with the winner.

You know the drill, right? One comment per person, check back to see if you win in a few days or so as I will randomly select one winner and then post about it right here!

Have fun and let the comments begin!

best, susie