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Giveaway: Debbie Macomber Knitting Booklets

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debbie macomber knitting booksI have this random collection of Debbie Macomber knitting booklets from Leisure Arts to give away today. They do a pattern book to go with each of her knitting fiction books, and I somehow have three of them:

Hannah’s List, which has 13 patterns that are great for gifts, including scarves, sweaters, socks, baby things and an adorable dog sweater

Summer on Blossom Street, which has 7 patterns for knitting and 3 for crochet; some of the knitting ones include a cable sampler scarf, a baby blanket, a kid’s sweater and a man’s vest

A Turn in the Road, with 18 patterns you can knit while you travel, including scarves, socks, slippers, a shawl and some baby things.

One winner will get all three booklets.

For a chance to win, leave a comment on this post before the end of the day Sunday, March 15. I’d love to know if you read Debbie Macomber or any other knitting fiction and who your favorite authors in that genre are. I’ve read a few of her books, but not all of them.

Thanks for visiting, commenting and sharing, and good luck!

Next Pattern:

Comments

  1. I have read a few Blossom Street books and have several others on my shelf to be read. I also like the Friday Night Knitters Club. Somehow, all novels (and mysteries featuring knitting) end up being about “life” – more or less from a female perspective but sometimes there are some knitting men in the books too which gives a bit of a twist. Anyway, they are usually a fun and chatty type of read…very enjoyable.

  2. I love Debbie Macomber’s books. They are a great escape and a great way to mix together two of my favorite hobbies. I’m also a quilter and love Marie Bostwick’s books especially her Cobbled Court series. There’s just know enough time in the day to read, knit, and quilt everything I want to. 🙂

  3. Have read a few of Debbi’s books and really enjoyed them especially because I had just gotten into knitting and I could put two hobbies together for double delight.

  4. I’ve read novels with a crocheter as the main character and one series with a quilter too. Haven’t read this author yet but will certainly be looking out for her. It’s fantastic that she has patterns to accompany her stories. What fun!
    PS. I am in Australia so am not sure I’ll be eligible to enter you giveaway 🙁

  5. I have read some of her books but never remember titles because I read too much. I do love books that work into the storyline patterns and recipes.

  7. I liked her knitting patterns better than the fiction but it seems she is doing fewer patterns these days and more fiction:(

    from winter-white VT,
    the Vermonster

  9. i’ve read some of her books but never tried her patterns. this would be a great way to do so. thanks for the opportunity

  10. Thank you for the opportunity to win these booklets. Love, love Debbie Macomber!! Have read her books and have tried some of her patterns.

  11. I have read a few knitting themed books, but none of Debbie’s books. A friend read all of them and enjoyed them, so they are on my list. I mainly listen to audiobooks these days as they allow me to work with my hands while enjoying the story.

  13. I have enjoyed Debbie Macomber’s Blossom Street books. Another good series about knitters I enjoy are the Black Sheep Knitting Mysteries by Anne Canadeo. Thanks for the chance to win Debbie’s knitting pattern books.

  16. I haven’t read any yet but I did read The Friday Night Knitters Club and enjoyed it.

Have you read?

Knit a Garter Stitch Blanket with a Twist

When I first started knitting again after a long absence from the craft (which has now been almost 25 years ago!) I really didn’t like garter stitch that much. I found it super boring, somehow even more boring than knitting stockinette stitch in the round, even though it’s exactly the same thing.

Over the years I’ve softened my opinion, and even grown to like garter stitch. There’s nothing wrong with being plain, and actually the texture of garter stitch is more interesting than stockinette.

Also there are fun things you can do with garter stitch to make it more interesting if you want to, such as adding stripes, working on the bias, or doing fun effects to change the look.

That’s the way with the Bernat Twist My Way Garter Knit Blanket. Using combinations of casting on and binding off creates what they call a Swiss cheese effect along two sides of the blanket. This is a lot of fun in the self-striping ombre yarn they chose for the pattern, but it would also be fun in a solid color or making your own stripes.

Despite the dramatic effect, this pattern is rated easy. It’s worked from side to side (if you consider the “cheesy” edges the top and bottom) and has an eight-row repeat that involves binding off and then casting on again to make the holes. They’re kind of like giant buttonholes.

Once you get the hang of it it’s a pretty easy repeat to remember, and it will be smooth knitting as big as you want to make it.

You can download this pattern from the Yarnspirations website for free, or you can buy a kit direct from them that includes the yarn you need (and knitting needles if you need those, too). Bernat Sport Ombre Twist, which is what is used in the pattern, comes in 12 self patterning colors and is a DK weight acrylic yarn.

[Photo: Yarnspirations]