New England Knits Review and Giveaway

Hi Knitters,

Okay! I am so excited to offer a giveaway for this fantastic new and hot off the presses book! I have been waiting for months for the release of New England Knits, Timeless Knitwear with a Modern Twist. The authors are Melissa LaBarre and Cecily Glowik MacDonald. It is a beautiful book packed full of wearable and practical sweaters and accessories and they really do have a modern twist. The twist comes in modern construction, strategically placed stitch pattern work, cables and lace and fresh and functional design. I would love to wear and make pretty much everything in the book! That is a rare happening.

What I've done is recorded an audio review of the book. Click play on the audio (if you are receiving this post as an email you may have to actually go to my blog to listen) and listen along as I talk about the patterns in the book. I've included photos of all of the patterns right here so you can easily follow and scroll along while I chat. You can also see all of the patterns and detailed information right here on Ravelry. After looking at the patterns at the bottom of the post I have the information to enter the giveaway for a copy of New England Knits! You are going to want this book for your library! I absolutely love, love, love this book! Can't say enough good things about it.

Hampton Cardigan by Cecily
Chelsea Skirt by Cecily
Ashfield Cardigan by Melissa
Auburn Top by Cecily
Groveland Satchel by Cecily
Northampton Neckerchief by Cirilia Rose
Greylock Tunic by Melissa
Fairfield Sweater by Cecily
Whale Watch Hat by Kate Gagnon Osborn
Brattleboro Hat by Melissa
Greenfield Cardigan by Melissa
Portland Mittens by Carrie Bostick Hoge
Melrose Peacoat by Cecily
Augusta Cardigan by Cecily
Mystic Pullover by Melissa
Montpelier Jacket by Cecily
Providence Hoodie by Melissa
Salem Hooded Jacket by Melissa
Derry Raglan and Cowl by Cecily
Old Port Pullover by Kristen Tendyke
Lewiston Striped Vest by Melissa
Middlefield Pullover by Melissa
Cranston Coat by Cecily
Montague Bulky Lace Vest by Melissa

Windsor Warmer by Cecily

Phew! That was a lot of work but so worth it! My book is already getting worn out because I can't keep my hands off it. By the way, here is the link for the Tea Leaves Cardigan I mentioned in the audio. Here is the link to Cecily's Goodale Cardi that I am making soon.

Okay, to enter to win a copy of New England Knits please leave a comment on this blog post. Leave only one comment per person please. Also include in your comment your email or ravelry id so I can quickly get in touch with you to get your mailing address. I will pass your address on to the kind people at Interweave who will then send you a copy. I will randomly select a winner in a few days or so.

Go for it!! You won't regret taking the time to enter to win this gorgeous, one of a kind book! If you don't win you will want to purchase New England Knits anyway.

That's my two cents on that.

best, susie

p.s. Something funny happened right after I recorded my thoughts on the patterns. I went out for my daily run/walk and was all excited to listen to a new episode of the Double Knit podcast. Well, they reviewed New England Knits, too, and they said some of the exact same things I did about the various projects. I thought that was perfect. You should listen to this podcast if you don't because these are two smart and fun knitters. I love them. Double Knit has become my new favorite podcast and I even re-listen to old episodes all of the time.

A Winner and Links!

Hi Knitters,

I have fired up the random number generator and the winner of the Debbie Bliss book is:

Ingrid said...

I would love to knit up a few things for my little guy! You and Debbie Bliss are my favorites! What a fabulous give-away. Thanks.
www.ingridbarlow.com

August 01, 2010

Congratulations to Ingrid!!! Check out Ingrid's website here. She is a quilter amongst other talents and I see she has some fun instructional videos as well.

I have been working on my Slinky Ribs sweater (you can see it on the arm of the chair in the first photo). Now I feel like it is just starting to taking shape. It has been slooooow going but I am making progress. I love the yarn, Elsebeth Lavold's Silky Wool. I don't know why but this has seemed like it is taking me forever. I think I am going to absolutely love this sweater when it is done. The stockinette stitch body is moving a little faster.

Next I have decided to work on a large needle sweater so I can have an instant gratification project going. I am making this with this yarn in Bark. It will be a big needle quickie project. Can't wait to start. The yarn is wound and at the ready!
This weekend was the Madison area All-City Swim Meet where thousands of swimmers converge on one of the local pools and take over for several days. It was fun and crowded and hot! Next year our neighborhood pool is the host for this enormous event. My husband and I are already signed up for work duties. It is a huge undertaking.

Instead of packing my rooster bag with my knitting I reloaded this bag I made a year or two ago. This was one of the first bags I ever sewed. The pattern is from this fantastic little book by Lexie Barnes. I added a bunch of my own embellishments and used up lots of fabric bits and pieces. I got so many compliments on this funny little tote bag at the swim meet.

While I was at the swim meet I saw this bike with a crochet seat cover. I took a couple of photos with my phone to share but I am having trouble getting the photos to load on my computer. I'll keep trying so you can see it. I think I might have to do something like this on my bike. I loved it.

Note: Edited later to add the photos thanks to my son!!!

Isn't that cool?

I really love the idea of a knit bike seat cover now. Must add it to the list.
Back to the bag. It is completely reversible but I always keep it to this side for some reason. You should make one of these! I would make the straps a smidgen longer than in the pattern and maybe add another pocket on one of the sides. I have used the basic concept of this bag over and over again to make all kinds of tote bags of differing sizes. I love how the appliques are wearing and fraying on the edges.
I have a few fun links to share today.

Here is a hexagon scarf that I really want to try. Perfect for leftovers.

Look at this adorable version of the cover model from Itty-Bitty Toys. Well done.

I started following this adorable and creative blog called Mila's Daydreams. TC loves it, too.

I am thinking about making these granola bars this afternoon! Yum!

I just plain and simple like her and her art and fabric and patterns.

I feel like I could really do this kind of thing for a scarf. Do you think you could? My bet is that most wouldn't like all of the I-cord.

I LOVE Mel's blog and she has loads of top-notch free patterns AND tutorials! Do you read this already? If not you should add it to your list. Mel Clark is a fun read!

Check out this free hat pattern. It is adorable and would be perfect for Spud & Chloë Outer!

I bookmarked this site and can't stop looking at the gorgeous colorways. It is tempting.

This designer on Ravelry has really cool stuff!!

Okay, that's enough for now. I have received a couple more terrific books from Interweave to review and to host a giveaway! Very exciting stuff. I will be offering these giveaways fairly soon. Thanks to all who entered the Debbie Bliss book giveaway.

I also was invited to contribute a design to an incredibly fun and cool book last week. I am pretty excited about this one. I will tell you more when I can, you will all want this book for sure. I need to get my design sketches in to the authors this week (like today).

Have a great start to your week!

best, susie

Debbie Bliss Strikes Again

Hi Knitters,

Reading this brief "about the author" blurb about Debbie Bliss sort of sums it up:

"Debbie Bliss has been designing knitwear for more than two decades. She is the best-selling author of more than 30 books on knitting design and has her own line of luxurious yarns which are sold worldwide. She designed a line for Baby Gap and a line of little boys' wear for Marks & Spencer. She lives with her husband and daughter in London."

Debbie is a constant source of inspiration for anyone who enjoys baby knitting (and adult knitting and home decor knitting and toy knitting, etc). She has a signature style that is easily recognizable. Her newest book, Design It, Knit It, Babies, takes you on a journey through the design process. She shares tips and tricks, sizing, shaping, embellishments and she includes 18 incredibly sweet designs to put your skills to the test.
The book is a hardcover with a concealed spiral inside which is everyone's favorite. Debbie sprinkles swatches and sketches and texture on the pages. She offers patterns for different basic garment shapes and hats and mittens, too.
Different styles of pockets and zippers and edgings are included throughout. I love the pocket with the stripey inside. Sweet surprises are always good.
I love all of these edgings. Yummy. Debbie is the queen of simple but adorable details. She has a whimsical style at times but it is always subdued and tasteful.
The photography is always exquisite and inviting in all of Debbie's books and this one is no exception.
There is knitter's graph paper and blank templates that you can photocopy and use. The blank templates come in several different sweater styles. The book really gently pushes you to come up with your own designs while using Debbie's tried and true patterns as the base for your work.
The ballerina wrap sweater is a a Debbie Bliss classic. Love. Love. Love. Knit one of these from Debbie for The Collector when she was a toddler. It had tiny flowers all over it that I duplicate stitched on.
And who doesn't love a garter stitch cardigan?

If you would like a copy of this fantastic baby knitting treasure please leave a comment on this post! I will take entries over the next several days. Please leave one comment only and also leave some sort of identifying email address, ravelry id or something so I can easily get in touch if you win. I will need your mailing address to send on to the lovely Tara at Sixth & Spring Publishing so she can send you your book! I will randomly select a winner very soon!

Let the entries begin!

best, susie

Summer Lovin'

Hi Knitters,

First off, I was interviewed for the Math 4 Knitters podcast espisode 30 and it is now up.

Click here to listen to the interview!

Math 4 Knitters is also available on itunes.

We popped TC's garden stone out of the mold. She is pleased. The stars glow in the dark so we spent some time in the bathroom with the door closed for an exclusive star-viewing. TC has been a busy girl this summer.
Her swim team had a tie-dying gathering yesterday. Before we went to the gathering we looked up folding techniques to try. Here is the link for the tie dye folding!
She got a good variety of designs. After these are washed the colors always fade significantly. It is fun to see them all bright and in the sun.
As we view the tie dyed shirts I have some other fun things to share. I just posted a fun little free pattern called, Butterflies, on Spud says!

Click here for the link to the free pattern.

Click here for the Ravelry page for Butterflies.

It is a very sweet and fast little project to say the least. About half an hour after I posted the pattern someone on Ravelry had already posted a finished Butterfly Ring. She said it took her 20 minutes from beginning to end. Now her daughter won't take it off! Love that! What a perfect summer surprise.
This next link has nothing to do with anything but I stumbled across it and it just made me laugh. Take a look here at The Pioneer Woman's blog for a good laugh! I hope you find it funny, too.
Next, I ran across about the best looking porch I have ever seen. The mosaic table and rag rug are two of my all-time favorite items in general and then to have them on a front porch? Heaven. Take a look here to feel all cozy and summer-y!
I love these bags and fabric buckets found on the Bubbles and Boo shop! Oh, those are so great.
By the way, The Collector took all of the photos of the shirts and then even surprised me with the rubber band pile after they were removed from the dyed shirts. The funny thing is that when she took my camera outside to take some photos I thought to myself, I hope she takes a photo of the rubber band pile. Sure enough she did!

I have some books to share with you and to give away to you. I have to get going on that. That will be the next thing up for sure. I have a copy of Debbie Bliss: design it, knit it babies to review and giveaway. Check back if you are interested in entering on the next blog post.

Have a good start to your week! We are sure loving our summer in this neck of the woods.

best, susie

Sweet Bunny

Hi Knitters,

I ran across this adorable photo of the Bunny Tail hat (there are 745 versions posted on Ravelry right here) from Itty-Bitty Hats the other day right here. I had to share it with you. It was knit by Melissa. Here is Melissa's blog. The yarn she used is Berroco Vintage (Mocha).

Here is what Melissa wrote to me about the photo:

My good friend Elizabeth did the photography, the baby is her niece, Cara. She was less than a week old and about 6 lbs. When I knit the hat for her she wasn’t born yet, so I knit the normal 0-3 months size, it ended up being quite big, but she looked very sweet. Elizabeth always takes really great photos of my knits for me.

That's all today! The photo made me smile and I thought it might do the same for you.

best, susie

Art Rocks

Hi Knitters,

The Collector and I finally had some time yesterday to do a couple quick craft projects. She worked and worked. It felt so good to see her in the creative mode.
She mixed cement...
placed glow in the dark stars...
smoothed with a popsicle stick...
added glitter-filled glass... waited a couple of hours for the cement to harden and signed off.

Peace.

Her peaceful garden stone will take several days to dry and will then be placed in her fairy garden.

Every year I look at this little mosaic terra cotta pot I made to see what else has fallen off. Joy has become Jo but there is still some good and interesting stuff to look at. I like it more the older it gets. Can you see the teeny tiny ceramic spoon hiding in there? On the other side there is a blue glass turtle still hanging on.

I really want to make some more of these.
Next, The Collector had come home from the neighbor's carrying a rock with a heart on it. She wanted to make more. She gathered up some more rocks from our yard. If they could stand upright it was a score so we tested them all. Only a few stood up on their own. I pulled out a bunch of Sharpies and it looks like I need a new set of these. I pick them up every once in a while but they wear out and get lost.
We brought the rocks inside, it was so hot and humid. We snacked on our favorite pretzels, HK Anderson's Peanut Butter Filled Nuggets. They are the best. Have you tried these? We buy our jug o pretzels at Costco if you are interested.
She pursed her lips in concentration...
she placed my bird rock in a tiny hummingbird nest she found a couple of months ago...
she drew ladybugs and clouds and hearts...
and I did, too....we decided this rock was shaped like a little bird...
she took a gardening scooper and dug up some moss in the back yard... she knew right where to look...
my sister stopped in and joined us to create her musical notes rock... TC placed the rocks on the moss...
we packed a few up in a gift bag and dropped it off on our neighbor's doorstep as a gift and the rest are now on our coffee table to enjoy.

Love this little crafty girl!

This morning I spotted another rock craft that I'd like to try. Here is the link to that! How about that?

Hope you all have a good start to the week.

best, susie

Made From Scratch

Hi Knitters,

I am measuring, calculating, knitting, trying on, reading various sweater formulas, measuring again, estimating....

Well, you get it. I am working on a top-down raglan from scratch. I considered doing a knitalong on Spud says! but then I thought since it is my first try it might be better to just go it alone. I wouldn't want to be responsible for making anyone rip out a sweater's worth of knitting.
I will share what I find out in the end. This is going to be the simplest of sweaters. Nothing fancy at all just straight forward and plain. In the end I always like and wear the simplest sweaters so that's my goal.

Maybe/Possibly if I like the end product I'll knit another one and we can do a knitalong together in steps. Let me know if you'd be interested in something like that. I keep hearing from people who have never made a sweater before and are nervous about it. This would be a perfect first step.

I have some fun and twisty ideas to go along with the sweater that I might just try. They are all in my head and I should write them down before I forget.
So far, so good! It is looking like a sweater. I have lots of notes written in my sketchbook. The yarn is Grape Jelly Spud & Chloë Sweater. I love this color so much, it is really deep and rich. I have no idea how many skeins it will take. I am still on my first skein.

There is something exciting about starting from scratch on any design. You never know what might happen...

You have to take a look at Jaime's blog for some sticky summer fun! I want to make some this weekend. She's a fun girl with recipes. Can't beat that.

Yesterday I baked sugar cookies and peanut butter cookies. The kids were so excited and so was I. We had the air conditioning on so I took advantage and fired up the ovens. I miss baking when I don't do it for awhile.

Have a good summer weekend everyone!

best, susie