Knitting

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Gifted! Lovely Little Things To Knit and Crochet

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Gifted. Lovely Little Things To Knit and Crochet by Mags Kandis.

These are all, little things to give away, some more intense, some really easy.  Wearables such as hats, mittems, scarves, socks (cool socks!) and wraps. Home dec, including a tea cozy, pin cushion, needle case (sweet!), and laptop cover.

34 projects in all. There are several in this book that are already on my to do list, and they can be on yours too! The arm warmers are the 1st project I want to knit.

Along with all of the yummy knit, crochet and felted items are a few recipes sprinkled in. Like Tomato Jam. Can’t vouch for that one, I’ve never had it, but will definitely try it. Also vanilla sugar, mulling spice mix and ginger syrup. Yum!

This is the coolest book, and it can be yours next Friday, Aug 6, 2010.

Just leave me a comment! And good luck…. Ready… Set…. Go!!!

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Comments

  13. I’ve been seeing some very nice reviews of this book, thanks for the giveaway.

  15. I have been looking for a knitting book that is dedicated to gifts for the people we love. Looks like I found it. Thank you for the chance to win it.

  16. This book sounds amazing. Given my knitting attention span isn’t that great lately, this book sounds great. I love giving my knitting away too, so it’s just the perfect book for me.
    Thanks for the giveaway!

  21. I like to knit, crochet, felt, weave and more,
    This book is abundant with ideas I can make for the poor.
    Such variety will keep,
    My mind quiet and true,
    Keeping my hands busy,
    “Gifted” will bring love
    to more than a few!

  26. I’m sooooooooo excited!! I just saw this book advertised on Interweave and was thinking it looks perfect for this compulsive knitter who just loves to knit for other people. My specialties are baby knits and dog knits, but who can go past a good scarf or a pair of gloves. And I’ve been experimenting with tea-cosy’s lately. They make such nice gifts!

    Glad to be in like minded company.

  28. I’d love to win this book. I would probably give this as a Christmas gift to my mother-in-law, who has been the sweetest “mother substitute” to me since my own mother passed away. She is much more gifted at the needlearts than I am since I’m just now learning, and I know she would love it!

  29. I would love to win the book — I love to look through the books, buy yarn, start a project, then start over again — look at book, buy yard, start project, …. But I have problem complelting projects,this summer my goal is to complete projects and when fall/winter begins and I can start new projects. If I win you book — I will probably make my first fall/winter project out of it.

  32. Thank you for a chafe to win this lovely book . I would love to win this book Louise

Have you read?

Book Review: No Fear Sock Knitting

I feel like when it comes to things that people are afraid to knit, socks probably top the list. I’ve heard people say they would never knit socks because they look too hard, but really you just need to know a few basic things (and trust the pattern even though it sounds wrong the first time you do it) to master socks. 

Denise DeSantis aims to take the worry out of knitting socks with No Fear Sock Knitting. Based on a class on her YouTube channel, it includes all the basic information you need to make sock knitting feel easier, along with eight patterns for both top down and toe up socks. 

The book generally covers types of needles and yarn you might use to knit socks, as well as other supplies you will need. It looks at the parts of the sock, different knitting needle configurations used to knit socks, how to read a pattern (including abbreviations and terms you might find in sock patterns), discussion of ease, how to measure your foot and choosing the correct size to knit.

It includes two options each for casting on cuff down and toe up socks, as well as four options for cuff treatment. It explores the heel flap and turn method for top down and toe up socks, as well as short row heels using a shadow wrap (worked with a leg from the stitch below) and a square heel. There’s a discussion of avoiding holes and fixing other problems in heels.

Likewise with toes there are several options, including a wedge toe, round toe and anatomical toe (different on each foot) for both cuff down and toe up socks. There are also tutorials for grafting and Jeny’s surprisingly stretchy bind off, depending on which direction you’re going. There’s also a tips section that covers things like avoiding ladders, changing colors. matching stripes and more. 

After all that preparation, there are eight patterns to choose from: short socks worked from the top down that are a perfect first-sock sock, a basic ankle-length toe-up sock, a DK weight sock worked from the top down with different length options, a “vanilla” sock with a short row heel worked top down, an ankle sock with a garter stitch cuff, one with a leg worked in alternating colors with a contrasting heel and toe, a sock worked in a helical stripe pattern and a striped sock with a garter stitch heel. 

Three of the patterns are rated at skill level two on a scale of three, while the rest are level one. They’re all pretty straightforward, they just use different techniques you might not have tried before. Since only one is made to be toe up, there are also tips for converting the other patterns to toe up if you’d rather work that way. Each pattern includes three size options. 

This book is a nice introduction to sock knitting, with lots of techniques to reference and simple patterns to take the fear out of the process. I’m not sure these are patterns you’ll come back to time and again but they are a good place to start if you’ve never knit socks before. 

About the book: 128 pages, paperback, 8 patterns. Published 2025 by David & Charles. Suggested retail price $24.99.