We have winners! Once again, I put my faith in the random number generator, and it chose Heather and Caroline as our winners! Thanks to everyone who entered — it’s nice to see so much excitement about this beautiful book.
One more giveaway to come in Fair Isle February. Here’s a hint. Keep an eye out this week for more details …
Will we see you at the “Brave New Knits” trunk show on Wednesday night? Remember, we’re open late, until 8 p.m., so please join us!
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I guess I’m biased since I am writing a knitting blog as we speak, but I think the online knitting community is pretty darn great. The ease of publishing and selling designs online has led to an explosion in online designers, which is a boon for those of us who like lots of choices. Chances are, if there’s a design in your head, you can find a designer who’s already taken the trouble to write a pattern. (And if not, you can use the amazing resources online to write the pattern yourself.) Ravelry makes it incredibly easy to find new patterns, and to get tons of feedback from other knitters who’ve tackled them. And knitting blogs are a chance to “knit along” with other crafters, even ones you’ve never met. Even if you don’t know anyone “in real life” who wants to talk about SSKs at 11 p.m., there’s always somewhere online where someone is talking about knitting.
© 2009 Jared Flood
All of that is the premise for a wonderful book — “Brave New Knits,” by Julie Turjoman. In it, Julie profiles some of the top knit-bloggers on the scene today: Norah Gaughan, Wendy Bernard, Shannon Okey, Connie Chang Chinchio, Hilary Smith Callis. She asks them about their inspirations, their processes and their designs, and then gives us more than two dozen
© 2009 Jared Flood
patterns on top of it! And the whole book is gorgeously photographed by another knit-blogging and design superstar, Jared Flood of Brooklyn Tweed. The patterns range from beautiful accessories to stunning larger pieces, like Jennifer Hagan’s Global Cable Coat, at right. I think Jared’s Woodsmoke Scarf might be at the top of my list (see left). Isn’t it amazing?
And while these photographs are lovely, wouldn’t you rather see these designs in person? Lucky for us, Julie will visit Knit and Stitch on Wednesday, Feb. 23, bringing along samples of many of the wonderful designs featured in the book. She’ll sign copies of the book, chat about the wonderful designers she profiles and just talk knitting! Sounds like a pretty good evening. She’ll join us from 4:30 to 8 p.m. — we’ll be staying open late so you can chat with Julie and browse for yarn to knit patterns in the book. (We’ll provide a list of good substitutes, since we don’t carry every yarn recommended in the book.)
Stay tuned for more details as the event approaches — we’ll even give away a copy of the book in the weeks leading up to the event. Mark your calendar, and we’ll see you on the 23rd.
• “Brave New Knits” trunk show and signing with author Julie Turjoman, Wednesday, Feb. 23, 4:30 to 8 p.m., Knit and Stitch, Bethesda, Md.
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Are you buying for another knitter or crocheter this year? Come do your holiday shopping at Knit and Stitch! (And if a few extra skeins of yarn happen to slip into your bag, so be it.) And if you’re hoping for a little fiber under your tree this year, why not “accidentally” leave this page open on your screen? Or, if you’re the more direct type, just send this link to someone who loves you.
FOR THE LITTLE CRAFTER
For a crafty person, there’s nothing better than passing on the love of making things to another person. And when that person is a child, it’s even better. Crochet is a great craft for kids — it is sometimes easier to pick up than knitting, and it’s quite a bit easier to fix mistakes. Pick up a copy of “Kids Crochet,” a wonderful how-to book by Kelli Ronci. I recommend this book to adults to want to learn to crochet too; it’s well-written and clearly illustrated, and contains lots of contemporary, fun projects. Kids can crochet a bulky neckwarmer, a little ball, a cute stuffed cupcake, or even a sweater! (A skein of Rowan Big Wool would be perfect to make that darling neckwarmer on the cover. And pick out a few great buttons while you’re at it!) Let us help you pick out a few skeins of basic wool and some hooks, and you’ve got a gift that will keep a kid busy during winter break.
FOR THE IMPATIENT KNITTER
If you know a knitter who loves to stitch, but doesn’t have the time to seek out patterns, match yarn and buy new needles, help her out by making up a little kit with all the essentials. She can cast on in minutes if you’ve given her yarn, a pattern and appropriate needles. Of course there are tons of patterns that will do, but I suggest one of our favorites of this season, the Brushed Suri Mitts. These are seriously gorgeous, and seriously simple. (If you know someone who has knit her share of basic scarves and is ready to try something new, this would be a great project.) Blue Sky Alpacas’ Brushed Suri has been flying off the shelves after knitters touch the sample mitt we’ve got in the store. It’s super-soft and cozy, and looks elegant and luxurious. The mitts only take one skein of yarn, so this is an affordable gift, but one that will be so appreciated! BSA does a great job with their patterns — this one comes on a narrow card that fits just right into a small project bag. (Why not buy a small bag to give with the project?) Pick up a skein of Brushed Suri, a pattern card and a set of size 5 double-pointed needles, and you’re all set. (A set of stitch markers or a tape measure would be a nice add-on too.)
FOR THE DISORGANIZED CRAFTER
You’ll rarely find a knitter or crocheter who can’t use another bag, pouch or tote. Fortunately, we’ve got lots of them! If you know a crafter with more WIPs than she can count on both hands, why not give her a stash of project bags in different shapes and sizes? One favorite around the shop is the little beaver tote (at right), which is the perfect size for a small or medium project, and is just so darn cute. It’s sturdy, too, so you don’t have to worry about needles poking through the sides. Add on a small zipper pouch for stitch markers and tapestry needles, or The Perfect Notions Case, which I’ve noticed that several magazines (including Interweave) are calling a “must-have” gift. We’ve also got lots of larger 
zipper pouches that would be just right for a sock or mitten project. (This Dick and Jane pouch is my favorite!) Stuff a ball of sock yarn in there for a special treat. Or stock it with tons of notions — tapestry needles, a pom-pom maker, cable needles, point protectors, a tape measure, buttons. What knitter can’t use more of those things? We’ve got some fun and unusual notions — come check out our notions wall, to the right of the cash register. We can point you toward some neat little gadgets, or browse and see what catches your eye. (Notions make great stocking stuffers for the crafter in your life!)
FOR THE ADVENTUROUS ADVANCED BEGINNER
For a lot of knitters, socks are the next frontier. Why not help a newer knitter advance to something more challenging? Pick out a few skeins of sock yarn, a selection of DPNs (or long circulars for Magic Loop) and a small project bag. Add a Knit and Stitch gift certificate, and your recipient can take a sock-knitting class with us in the spring. Or we can help you pick out a book or pattern to get her or him started.
FOR THE SPLURGE-WORTHY KNITTER
A few balls of cashmere. Enough said.
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Did you enter our giveaway of Interweave’s new book, “Gifted”? Well, why not? It’s easy to do — just go to the original post about the giveaway, leave a comment and wait for us to randomly choose a winner. (Please comment on the original post, not this one!) Easy. We’ve already had lots of great comments about everyone’s plans for knit and crocheted gifts. So after you leave your own comment, be sure to read about your fellow stitchers’ projects.
And now, a few links to inspire your weekend stitching:
Happy weekend! Come visit us in the shop!
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The season is upon us: It’s time to start making gifts. That is, if you haven’t started already. This year was my earliest start ever on my gift knits — I started a pair of mittens in January. But once the weather starts to turn chilly, that’s when we knitters and crocheters really get itchy fingers, and it’s time to start making lists of who and what and how much yarn.
And it’s not like there aren’t enough choices when it comes to choosing patterns. But here’s a new book you won’t want to miss: “Gifted,” by Mags Kandis, fresh from Interweave Press, source of so many wonderful things. And you know what? You don’t have to miss it, because Interweave has been lovely enough to offer a copy for us to give away! Keep reading for all the details on how to win (and a free pattern, to boot!).
But first, a peek inside the book, which includes almost three dozen patterns for everything from a simple ribbed hat to a beautiful felted granny-square bag. Yes, crocheters, this book has plenty for you — this book is definitely not just for knitters. And it’s also not just for advanced crafters; there are lots of patterns for newbies and advanced beginners. Plus, Kandis offers chances to learn a few new skills: If you’ve never felted your knitting or crochet before, there are at least half a dozen felted projects here (maybe more?), plus step-by-step instructions. Need some practice on short rows? The heart milagros (pictured on the book’s cover), offer a good chance to give it a try. Here are a few more projects you’ll find in “Gifted”:
A simple ribbed hat knit in bulky yarn on big needles, so you could make one for everyone on your list. Embellish it was a crocheted flower (the pattern is in the book), leave it plain or try some embroidery for embellishment.
These felted trivets and coasters are just crocheted circles that are felted to create a nice, dense, heatproof fabric. And if you’re scared of crochet, this is great practice — felting is the perfect way to hide imperfections in your work!
This ruffled scarf was one of the first projects to catch my eye. Isn’t it beautiful? But you know what? It’s really just a giant strip of garter stitch knit out of Rowan’s Kidsilk Haze. The ruffles on each end are created by picking up stitches and doing rapid increases to get that lovely ripple. Easy, and stunning.
And of course, there’s lots more where these came from. Visit the book’s preview page to see a little more, if you’d like. Plus, Kandis has shared a free pattern from the book — you’ve got to try these gorgeous felted bangles, available on the Knitting Daily site. They’re incredibly simple; just knit a long, skinny band of stockinette in bulky yarn, seam it, felt it, and wrap it with several colors of yarn (embroidery floss would work too). The perfect gift knit — simple, but beautiful.
And yes, this book could be yours, thanks to our friends at Interweave. Here’s how: Leave a comment on this post telling us something about your plans for crafting gifts this season. A pattern you love, a yarn you hope to use, your biggest gift knitting or crochet blunder, or your most well-received gift. Basically, anything! We’ll close the comments at 10 p.m. ET on Thursday, Oct. 28, so you’ve got lots of time to enter. And yes, you can enter more than once, as long as you write a new, substantive comment every time. (Please be sure to leave some identifying information, like your e-mail address or Ravelry ID, so we can find you.) We’ll randomly choose one comment, and send the book your way. Can’t wait to hear about everyone’s plans for the gifting season!
(Fine print: No purchase necessary, and not redeemable for cash or store credit. Just so you know.)
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Claudia's Hand Painted Fingering
Planning your weekend shopping trip to Knit and Stitch? Take a look at what’s new in the shop:
AND COMING SOON:
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