Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Capitol Knits ~ Review and Giveaway!


Edited to add on Feb. 23rd: The giveaway is closed and entries are no longer being taken! Thanks to everyone who entered.

Hi Knitters,
I am happy to be able to share a book review and giveaway opportunity with you today. I was surprised recently to see a project or two by Tanis Gray pop onto the Top 20 patterns on Ravelry. I knew she had just published Knit Local through Sixth & Spring but I didn't know she had another self-published book in the works, Capitol Knits. I quickly starting looking around for more information.

The book is all Tanis and all Washington, D.C., which is a great combination.
Click here for Tanis' website! Be sure to click on "Covers" on the top menu bar to see all of Tanis' covers from books and magazines, very impressive! I bet you'll recognize a few.
Click here to see all of the projects in Capitol Knits!
Click here to see Tanis' book on Amazon!

The book is thoughtful and informative not only about how to knit the projects but with facts about D.C.'s urban forest, various locations and history, and about taking inspiration from the environment and history around you. Capitol Knits is a salute to Washington, D.C. in a sweet and honorable way. All in all, I find this a charming and enticing small publication.

Tanis Gray  has been a long-time favorite of mine in the knitting world. She has worked in various careers but I first came to know her as an editor for Vogue Knitting and their other magazine publications. She is a smart, clever and super talented designer. She produces knit garments and accessories at lightning quick speed. Her patterns are always interesting, tasteful, and fun.

Here are some of my favorites from Capitol Knits, including the cover shot above which is the Capitol Shawl. There are 12 projects in the book including mitts, hats, a scarf, shawls, and cardigans.


The Union Station Infinity Cowl is a gorgeous understated colorwork project made in Brooklyn Tweed's Shelter. I love this project and the yarn, a winning combination.


I have the yarn set to go to whip up this Library of Congress Hat that is made in Madelinetosh Chunky. I love the twists and turns in this one, such movement. This will be a fast and fun knit.


I love this cable and lace cardigan called, The Lincoln Cardigan. The sample is made in Red Barn Yarn Plied Worsted. This would be a well-loved garment in my wardrobe. I see making one of these in my future.

I love a good scarf and this is a good one. I love the colors, the stripes in different directions and the lace border that pulls it all together. The Constitution Hall Scarf is made in Viola Silky DK.


I think this little shawlette, The National Gallery Shawl, is incredibly sweet. There are two versions shown in the book. The shawl above is made in Knit Collage Stargazer Silk & Sequins (see the sparkle?) and the other is made in KFI Lustrous Extrafine Merino DK.

One thing you can be certain of is that as a former yarn editor for Vogue, Tanis has selected the best yarns to suit each of her designs. This woman has had an incredible access to every yarn available under the sun for years. She knows her stuff. I love to see which yarns she has paired with the projects.

I am so excited to offer you a chance to win a signed copy of Capitol Knits! Please leave one comment on this blog post. Please include your email or your Ravelry ID so I can easily get in touch if you win. I will then collect your mailing address to pass on to Tanis so she can send you your book!


I pulled out this 2007 photo of the first time I met Tanis when I was on a book tour for Itty-Bitty Nursery. This photo was taken (by Jaime Harder Caldwell, my former publicist) at the Vogue offices in NYC (from left to right, Faith Hale, Tanis Gray and yours truly). We are holding the knit tea set from my book. They were both so fun and down to earth. I felt an instant connection with Tanis from that point on. She is an honest, funny, no-nonsense kind of person plus she is a genius knitter. I like all of that about her. We have stayed in touch through different venues ever since.

If you like this book and you don't win I recommend picking up your own copy. I want to make every project in this book and that doesn't happen often.

Tanis recently had a book signing/trunk show at Fibre Space in VA. Click here to see their review of Capitol Knits!
Also, check out this class Tanis is teaching (she's a fantastic instructor) at Fibre Space this Sunday:

Fair Isle Design and Tricks with Tanis Gray

Sunday, February 26, 3 to 6 p.m.

If you’re looking to take your Fair Isle knitting to the next level, this is the class for you! Whether you want to combination knit, learn to color knit with both yarns in one hand Continental or English style, or knit without tangling your yarn, all levels are welcome. We’ll also design our own mittens and begin using techniques we learn in class as well as cover the history of Fair Isle knitting.  Many people dislike Fair Isle because they don’t know the tricks…you’ll be addicted after taking this class.
Take care and good luck! Let the comments begin!
best, susie

244 comments:

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Susan said...

I love your blog. thanks for an opportunity to win an awesome book! the sparkly shawlette is awesome

KayP said...

What beautiful patterns! Thanks for the opportunity to win the book!
Kay
rav id is keppig

Jasmyn said...

I was just looking at her book Knit Local at Madrona! Would love to get my hands on this book!

Jas330 at gmail dot com
Jasmyn

Samantha said...

Such pretty designs, they are all so lovely but I am really drawn to the fun stripes and lace Constitution Hall scarf. I would love to wrap up in this scarf on everyday excursions or possibly use it for a nice pop against a dressier outfit. Hhmmm... so many possibilities.

Ravelry: SamRW

linda said...

Great book! I'd love to win, so I can get started on the Union Station Infinity Cowl. Love it. Thanks!
Linda
guzmanlinda3@gmail.com

Sami said...

The Union Station Infinity Cowl is beyond words beautiful!

ravelry: foofymonkey

~Ve said...

Would love to win this book. Those are gorgeous knits!

~Ve said...

Would LOVE to win this book!

Diana said...

Love the Constitution Hall Scarf, I'm crazy for stripes! The book looks awesome and I would love to win it.

Rav ID: Diana505

Diana said...

Love the Constitution Hall Scarf, I'm crazy for stripes! The book looks awesome and I would love to win it.

Rav ID: Diana505

Kate said...

So fun!

Kate
kateoeltjen@gmail.com

ErikaC said...

This book looks fabulous, and extra fun since I live in the DC area and lived in DC itself for several years. Such a fun idea!
Erika
Ravelry ID: ErikaC

Andrea@That'll Do Farm said...

Sign me up! I've Knit Local and I'd love to Capital Knit.

I'm BrightonWool on Ravelry.

Lisa Barrett said...

I really like the Constitution Hall scarf, too and I think it would be my first knit from the book. Thanks for the giveaway.

ravelry - barrettlisa

LaLa said...

What a lovely book!
LaLa

songbird said...

Hi Susie,

Thank you for this opportunity to win this book. It looks wonderful! I'm always happy to learn of new knitters/authors !

Lisa
LRLSPENCER @ yahoo.com

melonkelli said...

Lovely. I like the National Gallery Shawl.

RavID: melonkelli

madknitter said...

I love the Lincoln cardigan. The cables are lovely. And the E Pluribus Unum cowl is also a must knit. Thanks.

madknitter07

Daisy said...

This is a good chance to thank you for your blog which is very inspiring to me. Tanis' idea to create a knitting book in honor of Washington DC is so original and everything in the book looks wonderful. I would love to knit something from it!

Daisy
Ravelry ID is DaisySnow
Email is daisygirl12us@yahoo.com

mountain girl said...

How fun! I would love to win!
mia@pocoleon.com

Kristin said...

I love everything pictured!

Rav ID kristinfitzgerald

bellsandwhistles said...

OOOh I love that hat!

Ravelry: Nutmegg

Naomi said...

The National Gallery Shaw is just lovely. Beautiful and creative designs. What a great giveaway!

Naomi
Ravelry ID: Cocoavanilla

Anonymous said...

Cool looking book. I love the hat! Thanks for sharing.
Rav id: kittykatz

k_purls2 said...

I really like the constitution hall scarf, very interesting. I'd love to knit it.

k_purls2 said...

I really like the constitution hall scarf. Very interesting. I'd love to knit it.

ravelry id kpurls2

Elizabeth D said...

What a great book! I'll join the hundreds of others hoping to win it . . .

Teresa said...

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. I just love her designs and would be thrilled to be picked to win the book:)

Walk-N-Knit said...

Wow - looks like a great book - thanks for the giveaway!

Walknknit at gmail dot com

Kathy said...

Looks absolutely amazing! Fingers crossed! (sassykrafty on Ravelry)

elisa85224 said...

I love the Lincoln Cardigan and the National Gallery Shawl and ...!!! I would love to have this book. I'm going to look for it even if I don't win.

elisa85224 said...

I too love everything in this book, but I love the Lincoln Cardigan & the National Gallery Shawl especially!
Would definitely buy this book if I don't win.

Amanda J Anson said...

opps i forgot to leave my email address! that wouldnt do if i got picked!

bookworm.anson@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I love that shawlette! How fortunate to be able to work with friend in the knitting industry and get to support each others work!

Ravelry ID - krys5797

Lisa said...

Love the Lincoln cardigan!

Rav ID: mrsp

pookie said...

What a fabulous book. I would love to knit everything in it. Thanks for a wonderful giveaway.

Patricia said...

What a great book, she is a very talented designer, her style is great and I love so many of the projects in it! I would love to try them! jwandpjc@yahoo.com

Lucy said...

Wow! great patterns, but I think I gotta make that Lincoln sweater. Thanks for the chance!

Jaime said...

Hi, Sweet Susie! Just chiming in to say hi and that I still remember that day we took the photo of you and Tanis! So much fun having you in the office and getting out and about! I miss you! I miss you!
xo, Jaime

Anonymous said...

241 comments!!!

treblemaker said...

I'm a Canadian knitter/crocheter who would love to look through this new book, the patterns you showed all look gorgeous! I love the sparkly shawlette most of all.

You can find me in Ravelry as treblemaker

Crossing fingers!
Kim aka treblemaker

kdy12570 said...

I really love that Union Station Infinity Cowl, but it's hard to pick just one project! Thanks for giving us the opportunity to win this fantastic book!

princesspeanutsmommy@gmail.com

danaj said...

Love her style! Thanks for the opportunity to win...

danawenrich@att.net

Heidi Margit said...

Love, love love the capital shawl! Would like to knit it for the party in April!

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