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Giveaway: Magpies, Homebodies and Nomads

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magpies, homebodies and nomads giveaway

The winner is kajubo!

Cirilia Rose’s new book has a funny name, but it makes a lot of sense when you understand it. Magpies, Homebodies, and Nomads are all parts of the knitter’s personality. We’re magpies in that we love hoarding little bits of special yarn. Homebodies because most of the time we’d rather be at home knitting and hanging out with friends than anywhere else. But also nomads because many knitters like to travel to festivals and other events to meet like-minded fiber fanatics and show off what they’ve been knitting to people who will truly appreciate it.

This book celebrates all three of those personalities with 25 different patterns, plus tips and ideas that can help you develop your own sense of style, whether you’re working with garments you knit or things off the rack.

The book explores color, thinking like a stylist, finding inspiration, substituting yarns, even shopping smartly at the thrift store. And the patterns are pretty, too, including great hats, sweaters, cowls, tops, projects for the home and more than include sweet little details that allow you to make your projects as unique as you want.

I’m giving away one copy of this book this week. If you want a chance to win, leave a comment on this post before the end of the day Sunday, December 7. Why don’t you tell me how you would describe your style? I try to do a little better than classic mom slouch, but jeans and a sweater are my uniform. This book really does make me want to do better, though, and it might just inspire you, too.

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

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Comments

  1. I’d love this book! Now that it’s winter, I’d have to say my style is oversized sweaters and leggings.

  3. I like comfortable, but pretty, too. And some color everyday, but paired with something neutral so I won’t look like a circus. I guess, I don’t really have a style.

  6. I like to be comfy and wear quite slim fitting things most of the time. I try to avoid black as it does my pale skin no favours! I was once told I’m very good at layering, which I think just means I always have a cardi on!

  7. I like to think I have a classic style with a little bit of quirky/funky/sparkle depending on the day but I suspect others might call it “vanilla”. Ah well, as long as I’m happy, right?

  9. I am the classic style. I like the cardigans and the crew necks with turtlenecks. I wear cords and or velveteen jeans a lot during the winter of the cold months. I tend to go for flats too or clogs. Comfort is key.

  10. My style is all about comfort!! I feel that if I am comfortable in my clothes (and it doesn’t have to be yoga pants and an oversized sweater…it could be my favorite skirt and a funky top) then I have more confidence in myself. Of course, though, no outfit is complete without my favorite hand knitted something or rather.

  12. I could really use this book, because I think that I don’t have a style! My wardrobe is kind of a mish-mosh. Thank you for the giveaway.

  14. I’m at both ends of the poles: I like to be dressed in classic design, but I spend so much time doing dirty things, that I spend a lot of time in scruffy jeans and the tee shirt from the top of the pile as well.

  15. I would describe my style as eclectic – It really depends on my mood, what the day may bring, and what clothes are clean 🙂 This book looks really great! Thanks for the giveaway!!

  16. I’m definitely a jeans and cardigan girl, though my daughter tries to smarten me up occasionally!

  20. I’d love this book. I NEED some style inspiration! I would describe my style as safe, not at all daring, but a part of me wants to be daring!

  21. Very casual, jeans boots and a sweater or button up flannel or denim shirt is my favorite kind of outfit.

  22. I’m a jeans and t-shirt woman, with the occasional flannel thrown on for warmth. I would love to have this book, maybe it would expand my stylistic horizons.

  25. I’m a cardigan, jeans, and clog kinda gal. At home, I slip into my comfy thick wool socks, pj bottoms and thick wool cardigan… nothing says sexy like a thick wool cardigan!! LOL!

  26. I LOVE the title! All those words definitely apply to me. As for style, I strive for comfort without looking dumpy. So far it’s working. : )
    wahoomerryf on Ravelry

  29. It has been freezing cold where I live in Canada, we are already getting temperatures that we would get in January!! I am always wearing woolen sweaters or cardigans to keep warm and I like them in a classy style because I work in a school!! This book looks awesome!

  31. You have pegged us all in your description of knitters as Magpies, Homebodies and Nomads. Like so many others I have a stash that would put any magpie to shame; love nothing more than a good pattern, a cup of tea, and a quiet evening of knitting; and I can have my shoes on in two seconds flat if someone mentions a yarn sale no matter how far away.

  32. I usually wear tunic tops, leggings (Capri’s in the summer), and flats. Not very glamorous but it works with my homebody personality! And let’s face it, comfort is top priority!

  34. Plain – basic jeans with a sweater (preferrably a cardigan). The book looking inviting…

  35. At home, I have to wear jeans because my cats are always on my lap. Even though I trim their nails, they would still snag if I wore good pants. I do wear nice sweaters and remain them to watch their nails. If I go out, I love dressing up!!! Esp if I can find something vintage or antiquey to wear. I love old fashioned clothes.

  37. Eclectic! This applies to me in general, and my knitting. Yellow is a horrid color for me to wear since I look badly under the weather if worn. However I love to knit with all imaginable colors! Often some of the really nice yarn closeouts are yellow and though I can not wear yellow, in my travels and outings my knits find their loving home. Keeps the “Joy-Cup” overflowing! Also find yellow and orange joyous colors to add to home decor. 🙂

  38. I’m an jeans and t-shirt king of gal, long sleeve in the winter . I love a good loose cardigan to throw on when I get chilly and always wool socks and felted slipper.

  40. I qualify as a Homebody. T-shirts, jeans, huaraches, flannel shirts, tie-dye pullover hoodies…geez, now that I think about it, I’m more of a mess than a homebody! I’d love some nice new knits and it’s the perfect time of year for them. Thanks for the chance to win. 🙂

  42. my stay at home style is pajamas! But if I have to go out, I like skinny jeans, an oversized shirt and boots 🙂

  43. I am a magpie homebody nomad who even lived full-time in an RV with 4 of my children for a time. My “style” depends on the season of life. I have been jeans and t-shirts, jeans and nicer layering tops, maxi skirts with a variety of top options, yoga pants with comfy tops… could we say my style is confused?!!? I need a book to help my bits and pieces tucked in my wardrobe work for staying home and going out!!

  45. definitely vintage-classic styles appeal to me, however, I love to switch it up and knit something fun and funky and new for my young-adult daughters.

  46. Jeans and a t-shirt for me. Short-sleeved in the summer, long-sleeved in the winter, but I do like to add a nice hand-knitted scarf/cowl/shawlette to dress it up a little. And of course comfy hand-knit socks on cold days like today.

  47. Jeans or sweatpants and a fleece sweater, preferably with a scarf to keep my neck warm in the winter.

Have you read?

Knit a Spiky Balaclava

Not too long ago my daughter and I had a discussion about what a chestnut really looks like. The nut itself is small and brown, of course, but on the tree they’re covered with this weird kind of spiky, kind of fuzzy shell. It’s a wonder anyone ever figured out they were edible.

If you didn’t know that, you might wonder why this project is call Chestnut balaclava, but now you know.

This fun design from Yevheniia Pyroh is covered with spikes just like a chestnut shell, and is even the same color, though of course you can make yours whatever color you like. It uses two strands of fingering weight yarn held together (which it says is fingering weight but you could try a light/DK yarn and see if you get gauge with it if you’d rather).

There are two different design options in the pattern. One is a more fitted balaclava style hat (it doesn’t cover the face but does go around the neck) and a looser fit hood.

It’s worked primarily in garter stitch, with shaping done by knitting and purling in the same stitch and through various decreases (including a knit 3 together).

The pattern is charted but also explained in words. It’s worked flat to the size you want, and then joined into a hood shape with ribbing at the neck. The opening for the face is finished with I-cord.

This hood/balaclava would definitely be a conversation starter and in different colors it might read more dinosaur than chestnut, which could also be fun. The sizing is totally custom so you can make it fit whatever head you’re stitching for.

If you want to try it for yourself (and I’d love to hear about it if you do!) you can download the free pattern from Ravelry.

[Photo: Yevheniia Pyroh]

Balaclava Knitting Patterns

Colorwork Balaclava Knitting Pattern [Knitting]