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Giveaway: Geek Knits

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geek knits giveaway

Congratulations to Connie K!

I have a feeling there’s a bit of geek in all of us. Maybe not the traditional, sci-fi reading, D&D playing, “Star Wars” quoting geek, but the sort of a geek who is really passionate about something that other people outside of that world don’t understand. Maybe you’re a knitting geek like me, or maybe your passion runs to other pursuits.

Either way, geekery should be celebrated, and a variety of different kinds of geek are translated into knits in the super fun book Geek Knits by Joan of Dark.

Show off your love of Doctor Who, Star Trek, Game of Thrones, Sherlock, role playing, comic books, chess and more with these Geek Knits , 30 patterns, which do lean heavily of science fiction and fantasy but are still a lot of fun even if you’re not a huge fan of those genres.

What makes this book even more fun is the models, luminaries of geek from a range of sources. See George R.R. Martin with a knit dire wolf, or Neil Gaiman modeling a Holmes-style deerstalker. Teryl Rothery models Cthulhu fingerless gloves, and Adam Savage tries to trap a knit dragon (as well as modeling a lovely sweater covered with muggle artifacts inspired by Arthur Weasley’s love of muggle technology).

There’s even a knit Bunnicula, which was almost enough to make me want to keep this book for myself.

But I’m giving away my copy to one lucky geek, so if you want a chance to snag this one leave a comment here before the end of the day Sunday, September 13. Why don’t you let me know what kind of geek you are?

Thanks for visiting, commenting and sharing and good luck!

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Comments

  4. I’m a geek of all trades, from Star Wars to Star Trek, from Lost to Revolution, from MST3K to Riff Trax, from Ham Radios to Computers, from The Walking Dead to Dawn of the Dead, from Robot Chicken to The Big Bang Theory, from DC Comics to Marvel, from Dr. Demento to Weird Al, from Stan Lee to Frank Miller and from Crochet to Sewing.

  6. Sometimes these theme books have lovely hidden gems. I made a beautiful lace shrug from a twilight themed book. (not a fan of that silliness, but lovely pattern)

  7. I’m a big fan of both Star Wars and Harry Potter so I guess that makes me a geek! I have even knitted Star Wars cushions for my son.

  11. It’d be easier to say what kind of geek im not at this point lol
    So many fandom’s so little time I would love this its actually on my books to get list

  12. This looks like my type of book. I LOVE science fiction. I have been a Star Trek fan since the original series. Love Star Wars. Love cute alien figures. This book sounds fabulous.

  14. Oh this book is perfect!! My husband is a huge Star Trek fan! I’m more of a Stargate fan but we both watch a lot of sci-fi together!

  22. What am I NOT a geek about, that’s more the question. 😉

    What a fun book, thank you for the chance to win a copy!

  24. Huge Harry Potter geek here…but I also love Dr. Who, Star Wars, Star Trek, Marvel, LOTR/Hobbit, etc.

  27. I’m a geek of many colors, which shift over time. At the moment I’m into scifi, paranormal, and post-apocalyptic stories.

Have you read?

Book Review: Brooklyn Tweed’s Knit & Crochet Blankets

Blankets are a great blank slate project that you can change up in a million different ways. From color to stitch pattern to size, the possibilities are almost endless.

Jared Flood, the designer behind Brooklyn Tweed, was inspired by a log cabin quilt his mother made in 1995 to re-create that design in knitting, which led to more blankets and ultimate Brooklyn Tweed’s Knit and Crochet Blankets, which includes 25 patterns from an array of designers using different skills and techniques to make cozy, pretty blankets.

The patterns are divided into three aesthetic themes: traditions, minimalism and colorplay. The patterns are rated on a scale of one to five, with one being the easiest, and there aren’t any pieces rated five. Two blankets are rated one, 14 are two, eight are three and one is four. 

In addition, three of the 25 patterns are crocheted, but they either use single crochet or granny stitch, so they are pretty easy even if you don’t do a lot of crochet. You can see all the patterns on Ravelry.

Some of my favorites include Rattan by Rastus Hsu, a chunky blanket worked in knits and purls with simple crossing stitches to make a raised woven look; Homewood by Seth Richardson, covers in dramatic, loopy cables; Ainur Berkimbayeva’s Tessellate, one of the beginner projects that doesn’t really look beginner but is totally worked in knit and purl stitches; Warp + Weft by Aist? Butkevi?ien?, which is mostly knits and purls but makes a fun woven look fabric that blew my mind a little bit; and the same designer’s Canyonland, a multicolored blanket with wavy stripes.

The patterns tell you how to resize them for different dimensions and include information on pattern repeats where it is possible to make a totally custom size.

Many different techniques are included here such as cables, lace, shadow knitting, intarsia and other colorwork techniques, as well as modular knitting and lots of sewing pieces together. The patterns are all presented with charts, but there are line by line written instructions available on the Brooklyn Tweed website if you need them.

The book ends with a deep dive into log cabin knitting, telling the story of the quilt Jared’s mom made and how he made it in knitting, as well as the multitude of variations you can make if you want your own log cabin style design.

The back of the book includes a little written information about some of the special techniques needed, but there are no photos.

This is a lovely book full of inspiration for knitting and crochet blankets for any skill level. If you like to make blankets as gifts or aspire to have a handmade blanket in every room of the house, these designs would be a great place to start.

About the book: 192 pages, paperback, 25 patterns. Published 2024 by Abrams Books, suggested retail price $24.99.

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