Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Giveaway – Boutique Knits by Laura Irwin

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boutiqueWhat’s funky, trendsetting, head turning, styling and just flat-out fun? Boutique Knits, 20 Must Have Accessories by Laura Irwin from Interweave Press.

You can get it from Interweave, here: http://www.interweavestore.com/Knitting/Books/Boutique-Knits.html

Or, leave me a comment telling me about your knitting blog (or your favorite blog if you don’t have your own) and maybe win this book free! As usual, I’ll try to get my puppy to wake up long enough to pick the winner!

Boutique Knits includes:

  • Patterns that cover a variety of knitting techniques in varying degrees, including felting, intarsia, Fair Isle, lacework, and cables
  • Advice on incorporating non-knitting tools and techniques to transform your knitting to achieve that one-of-a-kind boutique feel: pliers, hammers, a sewing machine, use of millinery techniques, and handsewing techniques.
  • Unique adornment inspiration, such as buckles and bolts borrowed from leatherwork close an intricately cabled belt, a chain handle finishes a felted bag with circle pockets, leather lacing dresses up a knitted bag, and grommets finish a half-felted handbag.
  • Inspiration from vintage lace, beads, ribbon, and fabric-covered buttons!
  • Knitting and felting techniques to create effects like ruffles, shibori-style pleats, and clever shaping.
  • And more!

This collection of modern, stylish patterns will inspire beginning and intermediate knitters with its uncommon techniques and materials. Transform your knitting with Boutique Knits!

Comments

  1. Well, my blog is not devoted to knitting but I do talk about knitting with pictures of projects and how it helped me get through some tough times.

  2. I started a blog with the express intent of it being a knitting blog. But, then I had a baby, and with how long knitting takes, I just haven’t had a lot of time to accomplish much. I’ve done some amigurumi and other crafts, though, so there’s usually something to see. Now that baby is 6 months old, I’m getting back to my knitting and purling, and loving every minute of it! So, I’d definitely love this book!

  4. I started keeping track of my projects, thoughts, feelings, random knitting observations and yarn dislikes and likes at my blog. http://gnomenapper.livejournal.com/
    I’m actually hoping to transfer all the knitting related posts to a knit specific blog one day.
    I heard great things about Boutique Knits, a friend just made the cover hat and it’s gorgeous 🙂

  6. I don’t have a blog but I started reading the yarn harlot’s blog… Then expanded to others, like yours. I like your blog because you post every day (almost) and share fun sites for freebies.

  8. Hi!! My name is Dawn and my blog is dsknits2.blogspot.com. I love to knit, just wish I could finish more things (I’m s l o w!).
    I checked this book out from the library and would love a chance to win a copy. I also love your blog, it’s one of the ones I always keep up with in Google Reader. Thanks Bunches! 🙂

  10. i don’t have a knitting blog, but i do enjoy the yarn harlot’s site, and franklin habit’s panopticon blog.

  11. I have a semi-new blog. I don’t think I have blogged about knitting yet. I have so many WIPs that i really should tell on myself in blog form 😉

  13. I love LOVE the Spud and Chloe blog (spudandchole.com). There are always fun (and very bright) patterns. The Photography is particularly impressive. This is so as many Knit-centric blogs, books and magazines fall a bit short on this (NOT all, mind you!!!!), which is O.K. for us knitters out here as we can usually see the potential in the technique or general idea and don’t need our hands held too tightly. But on the other hand, it is nice to see a blog that even a non-knitter can appreciate the beauty of!

  14. I don’t have a blog – but I enjoy Vickie Howell’s Blog – always something new and fresh! Thanks, Kim

  16. I don’t have a blog and I really haven’t checked out many online yet. I do love to knit though having some patterns from before computer to keep me busy. Maybe some of you can give me some good web sites or blogs to check out….thanks

  17. i have a knitting and craft blog – http://sadiekate08.blogspot.com – that i’m trying to get really started! i like to post giveaways (got one going on right now!) and patterns and things i’ve made or want to make. sometimes i just rant about knitting! i think it is a lot of fun to have my blog 🙂

    thanks!

  18. I have a knitting blog and publish patterns. I also like to share recipes although lately it seems all about hats hats hats!

  19. I don’t have a blog. I like Lion Brand’s blog. They have KAL/CAL’s. I learn interesting things, tips and new skills.

  25. My blog began as a tribute to my obsession to knitting, then it turn to my venting of working in a hgh school library and now it is a tribute to my puppy girl Zadie.

  29. Well, my blog is not about knitting but little bit of knitting is included in my creations. But I definitely enjoy sixandahalfstitches.typepad.com blog full of knitting, sewing, pictures, and interesting writing.

  30. I’d love to win this book – I knit and have a blog. It started off as a knitting blog but has developed into more of a fibre and craft blog. It’s a slippery slope from knitting to spinning to weaving…. and a bit of drawing and art thrown in.

  32. Well I am just brnad new to knitting…. I made my first dish cloth this past weekend!So my blog mainly talks about scrapbooking my other addiction. How wonderful I am going to have to check out some of these sites! And the book looks fabulous 🙂

  34. My blog isn’t solely for knitting, though right now I am learning to do 2 socks toe up at once on one circular needle (not as hard as I thought it would be). My blog should be linked in my name 🙂

    The book looks awesome!

  35. I just discovered the Green Apples knitting blog and I’m really enjoying it. I’d love to win this book. 🙂

  37. Hi there 🙂
    I don’t have a blog – but I LOVE yours.
    I have just been introduced to the world of blogs – wow is yours good
    I would enjoy winning your book
    Cheers
    Catie

  38. I don’t have my own blog but I love the “Kantsteek en Co” blog. It’s a Dutch blog all about knitting and felting and there are many inspiring projects.
    I’ve been knitting for years thanks to my grandmother who taught and inspired me. Love to win this book!

  39. My blog is in need of updating! I did have fun setting it up, though, and hope to get back to it some day.

    I love the Boutique Knits book and hope your drawing has not taken place yet…and that if it has not, I win the drawing!

    Happy knitting!

  41. I have a crafting blog, with half the content about knitting and the other half other crafts, like sewing. However, my poor blog is rather neglected at the moment. I hope to get it updated it soon, though!

  42. I don’t have a blog, but I loooooove interweave press. I am a crocheter and whenever I get a copy of interwaeve crochet I find a lot of things I have to make. I made a gorgeous felted bag from an interweave press magazine and I have lots of other projects waiting in the wings!

  43. I will be knitting most of my gifts this year. I’m stuck lying around with my legs up because of a bad case of vasculitis.
    KNITTING has been my LIFESAVER. I can’t sit at my sewing machine but I can KNIT to my heart’s content.
    It is now the main outlet for my creative drive. I hope to win the book so I can make the projects as gifts for family and friends.

    I started my blog so I could keep track of which books I read so I wouldn’t buy duplicates.

    I’ve expanded to showcasing my latest creations and pictures of my pets.

    I knit my son a hat with beard attached for Christmas. I can’t post the photo to my blog because it would ruin the surprise.

  44. I don’t have a blog, but I love to read them. I love craft gossip the best. It has so many different crafts to inspire. I borrowed this book from my local library and am knitting the one on the front cover. I would love to own it though. My kids live in Russia and I could keep them in warm hats for sure! Smiles, Janet

  46. I really can’t give any one blog that could possibly be my favorite… sheesh that would be like asking what is my favorite dessert!! I love to knit and quilt and do all sorts of crafts… I am always inspired by so many creative people on the internet. Thanks for the chance to win this book.

  48. I love the hat. It is a real Flapper variety. My Gds would love to make something like this.
    As I don’t have a blog regarding knitting I will include this one. It covers lots of knitting/spinning/dyeing as well as other wonderful crafts http://calidore.wordpress.com/

    I’ll be back to check more of your blog.
    Maureen

  49. I keep a blog that is supposed to be about mostly knitting, but I forget to update it! (It’s the website link…) I’m trying to do better with it.

    Yarn Harlot is most definetly my favorite.

  50. I’m a total Yarn Harlot junkie. Also I check the Yarn Boy Yarn Blog every now and then. He doesn’t post often but I love his stories, and knitting projects and patterns.

Have you read?

Vintage Bed Socks Knitting Pattern – A Cozy Little Gift Project With Old-Fashioned Charm

There is something wonderfully nostalgic about a pair of handmade bed socks, isn’t there? They are practical, pretty, and just the sort of project that feels like it belongs beside a cup of tea, a good film, and a basket of wool that is pretending not to be overflowing.

This vintage Bed Socks knitting pattern is one of those sweet little patterns that still feels useful today. Originally from the Jaeger Hand-Knit Series No. 44, the design features a simple garter-stitch foot, a ribbed cuff, eyelet holes, a crochet chain tie, and little tassel-style pom-poms at the front. The original pattern even describes them as “a very acceptable present,” and honestly, I don’t think much has changed there.

These would make a lovely handmade gift for someone who is always cold, someone recovering or resting, or anyone who appreciates a bit of old-fashioned comfort. They would also be beautiful as a Mother’s Day gift, a winter birthday present, a Christmas stocking filler, or a “just because you deserve cozy feet” project.

The pattern itself is delightfully simple in construction. The socks are knitted flat, beginning at the lower edge, with the foot worked in garter stitch before moving into the ribbed upper section. The decorative eyelet row allows for a crochet chain cord to be threaded through, and the finishing tassels give the socks that charming vintage look. The top edge is finished with a row of double crochet, which adds a neat handmade touch.

The original measurements list the socks as approximately 10½ inches from the top to the lower edge of the heel, with a 9¾ inch foot length, and the pattern notes that the size can be adapted. As with many vintage knitting patterns, modern knitters will want to check gauge carefully and choose a soft yarn that feels comfortable against the skin. A cozy wool blend, soft acrylic, or washable yarn would all work depending on whether you are making these for everyday use or as a special gift.

I especially love that this pattern has that “giftable” quality without being a massive project. It is small enough to feel achievable, but still special enough that the finished pair looks thoughtful. And let’s be honest, handmade socks with pom-poms are always going to beat a last-minute candle from the supermarket.

The PDF version has been cleaned up and formatted for easier reading while keeping the original vintage design intact. It also includes a modern pink mockup image and the original vintage scan, so you get both the historical charm and a fresh idea of how the finished socks could look today.

If you enjoy vintage knitting patterns, cozy handmade gifts, or quick projects that feel useful rather than just decorative, this sweet little bed socks pattern is a lovely one to add to your collection.

You can find the Vintage Bed Socks Knitting Pattern PDF in the CraftGossip Etsy store.

For supplies, this is also a nice stash-friendly project. A soft yarn from Mary Maxim or Amazon would work well, and if you make pom-poms regularly, a small pom-pom maker is one of those inexpensive tools that saves a surprising amount of fiddling.