Knitting

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Giveaway: Knitting Architecture by Tanis Gray

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knitting architecture giveaway

Deborah is the winner.

There are so many great knitting books published each year, full of inspiring patterns I wish I could make, but I have to admit to myself that I’m never going to knit all that I wish I could and so I need to pass some of these great books on to others.

That’s the way it is with this week’s giveaway: Knitting Architecture by Tanis Gray. It includes 20 patterns for tops, wraps, mittens and more, the “and more” including a cool colorwork bag and a skirt inspired by a hotel in Dubai designed to look like a ship’s sail. (See all the patterns on Ravelry.)

The name of this book, as you might imagine by now, is literal. The designs actually are inspired by architecture from around the world, and she writes a little bit about the building behind the design of each pattern, which adds to the fun.

I’d love to knit the color-blocked Bauhuas cardigan, designed by Anne Weaver; the brightly colored Byzantine Pullover by Tanis Lavallee; Grace Anna Farrow’s bright-striped zig-zag Popmidou Wrap; or the super-airy Tower of Piza Shift from Veera Välimäki. Maybe you will knit one of these, instead, if you’re the winner.

For a chance to win this book, leave a comment on this post before the end of the day Sunday, Aug. 14. I’d love to know if you have a favorite building, or a city that includes your favorite architecture (mine is probably Chicago).

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

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Looking for knitting patterns for knitted Cardigans? Check out these Knitting patterns we found on Etsy.

Looking for pullover and sweater patterns? Check these books out.

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Comments

  2. I would have to say New York just because of the diverse design. Love Tanis Gray. Would love a copy of this book. Thank you.

  6. I’m not a big city girl, I’m more a fan of coastal, southern architecture. Simple houses and then grander ones with big wrap around porches. I also haven’t traveled much to see the architecture of other places but give me pretty beach homes any day 🙂

  8. My favorite building is an old barn that is falling on both ends that is in our area. Every time we go past it I look to see if it is still standing.

  9. Great giveaway-Amsterdam, when I took the boat tour, truly was an inspiration for so many things. Doll house architecture, very quaint, and yet very, very old!

  12. What a cool book! Someday I’d love to go to Paris to see the beautiful buildings in person…for now, I’ll just admire the pictures.

  15. I guess the pyramids are great structures that look so awesome. However, from the book, the top on the cover is a winner.

  16. Growing up in the Pittsburgh area, I have always loved the old stone buildings contrasted with the newer glass buildings. And lots of bridges. This book looks fantastic–esp love the Beaux Arts Cardigan and the Bird’s Nest Shrug. They look fantastic. Thanks for the chance to win a fabulous book.

  17. I would have to say my favorite city for architecture is Chicago also. (My husband loves anything Chicago) but it is surprising how many unique architectural details you will spot in small cities and towns if you look for the,

  18. I’ve always been partial to New York City because I visited often with my aunt when I was younger.

  20. I love Victorian and Art Deco architecture. Those styles always look like the people involoved took their time to craft something wonderful.

  21. Thanks for the chance to win. I don’t know that I have a city that I love the architecture. I like small old towns with beautiful homes. The Victorian details are amazing!!! This book looks really beautiful.

  23. I love Vienna – the architecture is amazing but there are areas of London that are fantastic blends of ancient and modern. Thanks for the chance to win this book. 🙂

  25. What a beautiful and innovative concept! I love this book! I would love to see a pattern in honor of NYC’s Flatiron building!

  27. I was recently in Shanghai and loved the tall buildings and the bridges with the river view!

  28. I love the old wooden stave churches in Norway, which were built without nails, just fitting the pieces together.

  29. I love Doric columns of Segesta, the Grrek temple on Sicily. So I want to make the skirt that echoes it columns in Knitting Architecture. Thank you for the chance to win it.

  30. New York is the city I love! Huge avenues and beautiful buildings that surround one of the best city park of the world. thanks for the lovely giveaway

  31. My favourite city for architecture is Bath in the UK. All the beautiful yellow brick Georgian houses!

  34. I adore the old-world architecture of Madrid, Sevilla, Toledo. Spain was my first taste of the world outside the US, and it just cannot be beat in my mind!

  35. I don’t know if this counts as architecture or not, but I would have to say the Great Wall of China.

  36. I’m not a huge architecture person, but I tend to get more emotional about historical architecture.

Have you read?

Add a Little Lace to Your Knitting Patterns

If you’re new to lace knitting or just aren’t sure how to incorporate the technique into garments, check out these tops and sweaters that use lace as a decorative element.

The easiest lace out there is eyelets, and you can practice them plenty with this eyelet covered sweater from Knitcro Addict. It uses light/DK weight yarn and is worked in four pieces knit flat. It’s intended to be a little cropped and a little oversized, and includes sizes XS to XXL in the pattern.

If you’re in parts of the world where it’s getting colder as you read this, the Nora sweater from Bummbul might be a good choice. This is actually a great one for learning lace because it’s worked in super bulky yarn, which makes it easier to see what you’re doing and makes the lace super graphic. This one just comes in one size, with a 42 inch (106) cm bust, but that could fit a variety of people depending on how much ease you like.

Minimi Knit Design has a cute allover lace cardigan worked in one piece from the bottom up. It’s worked in lace weight mohair held double, which maybe isn’t the best for those new to lace (because it can be hard to rip out) but it sure is pretty. Sizes range to fit from 30 to 66 inches/76 to 168 cm bust measurements.

If you’d rather not have lace all over your sweater, you can knit the Lumi sweater from Originally Lovely, which has a chevron lace pattern on the yoke and is otherwise worked in reverse stockinette stitch. (It’s worked inside out so you don’t have to purl every stitch.) The pattern has 9 sizes from XS to 5XL and uses worsted weight yarn.

Or try the super romantic sookie blouse from Trust the mojo (available on Ravelry). This sweet top is started working flat from the bottom up and has a V-neck and I-cord edgings. The sleeves are worked separately in the round, and the pieces are all joined together to work in one piece to finish off the top. It comes in eight sizes and is available in English and French.

You can also pair lacy sleeves with an otherwise plain top, like on the Starflower Wrap from Annelise Driscoll Gingrow. This intermediate pattern makes a wrap sweater with generous lacy sleeves and a double wrap belt. The pattern has nine sizes, from XS to 5XL, and is available for free from Hobbi.