Knitting

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Giveaway: First Frost

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first frost giveawayThis book has a strange title for one being given away in the middle of winter, but Lucinda Guy’s First Frost is full of fun projects to get you and yours through the frosty months.

It’s full of patterns inspired by the folk traditions of Scandinavia and the Nordic and Baltic countries and includes socks, gloves and mitts, tops, cushions, scarves, hats, a toy squirrel and a lovely project bag (which is actually one of my favorite projects in the book).

If you’d like a chance to win my copy, leave a comment on this post before the end of the day Sunday, February 8. For a change why don’t you tell me your favorite thing about winter, since so many of us are complaining about it by now.

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

Comments

  2. Living in NC, I love seeing my daffodils poke their heads up through the fall leaves. Sorry, but it’s 60 degrees here today… And I don’t miss shoveling snow!

  3. My favorite thing about winter is when snow falls. It looks so peaceful and pretty. As long as I don’t have to drive in it, that is!

  5. My favorite thing about winter is how the freshly fallen snow will glisten like diamonds. Looks so pretty that I won’t even walk in certain places so the view isn’t destroyed by bootprints. I like sled riding too!!

  6. Favorite thing about winter…the combination of the steam from hot cocoa, the smell & warmth from a fire, combined with the crisp cool air drawn in with the cocooning texture of blanketing and a project splayed across my lap!

  7. Ground Hogs Day is come and gone, six more weeks of snow to come. New inspiration would be wonderful!

  8. I love sitting in my recliner by the picture window watching the snow fall or the birds in the trees. I sit all warm as I knit or cross stitch.

  9. My favorite thing about winter is the snow. I am still hoping to get some snow; we haven’t had any yet this season. So disappointing! 🙁

  10. My favorite thing about winter is curling up with a good book in front of an electric fire during a blizzard, knowing I won’t have to leave home for a few days!

  11. My favorite thing about winter is that it KILLS the bugs. I enjoy the pretty sparkle of new snow, the cozy feeling you get when you snuggle under an afghan with hot chocolate and watch the weather outside your warm room and the chance to concentrate on inward things, but the real joy in winter is the lack of the bugs.

  12. My favorite thing about with is sitting by a roaring fire with yarn and needles and not having to go outside. As I look at the blizzard happening outside my window… 🙂

  13. My favorite thing about winter is that the days kind of blur together and my nesting instinct goes into overdrive. That’s when I tend to redecorate, knit things for the home, and buy my wool for spring things.

  16. My favorite thing about winter is how quiet it is early in the morning after a snowfall.

  17. My favorite thing about winter is boots & lots of knitwear. I’m in northern California so, for the most part, our winters are not extreme. Not much snow so far this year.

  18. My favorite thing about winter is that I get to wear the beautiful cowls, scarves and mitts I’ve made! Now I’m working on some sweaters. Since I moved from Georgia to northern Minnesota – I’m going to need them. It was VERY cold last year here, not so much this year though.

  19. One of the things I love about winter is Snow days off from work. I always cook something special that I usually don’t have time to make and sit and knit every time I take a little brea. Actually doing that today as we woke up to 14″ of snow this morning.

  20. I live in New England, and even though I am not eager to shovel any more snow, I do love winter, especially the sunny, cold days. And I love a winter walk at dusk.

  22. Oh, goodness, there’s not much I like about winter now that I’m living in the frigid North! The best I can say is that the beginning of winter has some awesome holidays… 🙂

  23. I love snuggling up in my chair with a book, a blanket, and a cup of hot tea when it’s really cold and windy out.

  26. I love the cooler temperatures, not necessarily the snow and ice, but just having it cool enough to wear sweaters and socks without getting all sweaty! 🙂

  30. I live in Southern California so my favorite thing about winter is the rain. Just wish we got more of it. It would be nice to have a real thunder storm again too!

  31. Hi Sarah! I actually love winter as long as it’s not too cold 🙂 I like a little brisk cold that allows you to snuggle up under warm (knitted) layers.

    This books looks amazing. Thanks for another wonderful giveaway!!

  32. I don’t get snow where I live, but I love the crisp, clean, cold air. It feels good in my lungs!

  34. Ilike when you wake up to a fresh fallen snow without any tracks in it. It looks so soft and fluffy.

  36. I LOVE winter. 1st, it isn’t hot & humid summer. Then, sweaters!!! hot beverages, snuggling on the couch… Winter!!!!!!! Yessssssssssss!!

  37. I love being warm and cozy inside, knitting with a cat on my lap and a cup of tea while the snow falls. And best ever is a snow day from work, which we got yesterday. Nice.
    wahoomerryf on Ravelry

  38. Unfortunately we have not had enough winter here in California. But I am a sweatshirt/sweater girl, so I love being able to wear my favorites. And someday soon I will make a sweater 🙂

  39. I love how much fun my boys have in winter. The are definitely true swiss Canadian boys, loving anything to do with snow.

  41. I love snow and was sad that in my area we did not get our usual snow fall. Snow, winter, I want to knit, crochet, cook

  43. My favorite thing about winter is staying in the house in front of the fire! I am NOT fond of the cold 🙂

  45. who doesn’t love that diamond glitter that crisp snow gets under a full moon? Love winter and Ontario.

  46. My favorite thing about winter is… that it’s COLD!! It doesn’t bother me, if I’m wrapped up (and knitting indoors:). Thanks for the giveaway!

  47. I never get tired of watching the snow fall… from the comfort of my sofa under my favorite knitted afghan, of course!

  48. I actually like (I won’t go so far as to say love…) when the temperature dips. That’s when I can wear my hand knits without fear of overheating. So in the winter, I don’t feel guilty about having so many scarves, and hats, and mittens…

  49. One of my favorite things about winter is how it makes my normally stand-offish cat very cuddly!

    thanks for the giveaway!

Have you read?

Pencil Knitting Patterns

Getting ready for back to school makes me think about pencil crafts, so let’s take a look at some pencil themed knitting patterns! 

I recently made a pencil on a circular knitting machine, and it was a fun, quick, easy project that uses little bits of leftover yarn (and if you don’t have yellow you can make it a colored pencil using whatever color’s your favorite). And if you want to make a bigger version check out this pattern from Orange Olive Road on Etsy.

If you want to knit a pencil pillow by hand, check out Sketchy, available on Ravelry from Shana S. Cohen. This one uses worsted weight yarn and has two size options and the choice to make a pencil with an eraser or a colored pencil. 

Pencil scarves seem to be the most popular kind of pencil knitting pattern, and there are lot of cute ones. This one from Cosy Craft UK mostly uses garter stitch, with some welts to add texture and what looks like an I-cord edging. It calls for DK weight yarn. 

If you want to go all garter stitch try this version from Emsley Co Creations, which uses five colors of DK weight yarn and just a little shaping to make the point of the pencil.

There’s also this fun, mostly stockinette so it looks like it curls a bit, pencil pattern that looks like it’s worked in chunky yarn from Little Knits Studio. This one uses just a little garter stitch and easy shaping for the point. 

If you don’t want a pencil scarf, how about some pencil socks? The No. 2 Pencil Socks from The Yarn Enabler are available from Ravelry and use five colors of sock yarn. They feature wide ribs to mimic the texture of a pencil and have options to be worked from the top down or the toe up. 

Needs Sharpening by Alexander Walker is a free pattern on Ravelry that uses five colors of sock yarn to make a sort of shortie sock. The little bit of black at the tips of the toes inspired the name. These, too, can be worked in either direction and are available in three sizes.