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Giveaway! New England Knits

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What do you think of when someone says “New England”? Myself I think of storm swept beaches and rocks jutting out into the ocean, snowy landscapes, rolling hills in every color imaginable, big red barns, and of course cozy fisherman sweaters.

This book has all of that and more.  And not just sweaters but  vests, hats, bags and mittens too.

Cecily Glowik MacDonald and Melissa La Barre have teamed up to bring us 25 patterns with classic wearability and contemporary style for knitters of all skill levels.

This book is available over at Interweave Press on July 1, so you’ll be one of the first to get this. To enter, tell me what you think of when someone mentions a “New England Knit“. What’s the first thing that pops into your mind?

Leave me a comment! This giveaway is good until next Friday, July 2, 2010 (yes, I know, July already… deal with it!), when I will, with the help of my 65 lb lap-puppy pick a winner.

Ready, set, go……

Next Pattern:

Comments

  1. i can’t wait until this book comes out, i’ve been stalking the photos on ravelry and everything in it looks so gorgeous!

  2. Your description of “New England” is exactly what I picture in my mind’s eye. I think the sweaters would also look delightful with my high mountain desert as a backdrop!

  3. Well, the FIRST thing that pops into my mind is heavy and scratchy, but the second thing is classic styling.

  4. Having lived in New England my whole life, a New England knit is cozy and warm for wearing to November football games or light and airy for wearing for an evening walk on the beach.

  5. I think of sailboats, fishing boats, rugged waters and windswept cheeks. And the wool sweaters to keep everyone warm and dry. Thanks for the great giveaway!

  6. First thing that popped into my head was a big, cuddly fisherman’s sweater, with a turtleneck! Yum.

  7. I think of woolly natural yarns and fisherman sweaters, the book looks amazing btw…

  8. I think of fall back in New Hampshire curling up with blankets made by my Great Grandmother and my Grandmother. I also think of my daughter’s first fall in Maine, snuggled up with those same blankets!! I moved away from New England 2 1/2 years ago, and seeing the patterns in this book reminded me of some of the things I miss most about home! Thank you for such a great giveaway!!!

    Cheers!
    Sharon

  12. “New England Knits”? I think of bulky cable sweaters in cream colored wool, photographed near the shore.

    The projects in this book look wonderful. I’d love to win a copy.

  15. I think of chill winds outside while I am warm with hot chocolate and cozy sweater inside. I would knit everything in this book.

  27. Definitely some cozy sweaters, knit in fall colours with lots of detail. This book looks fantastic!

  32. When I think New England Knits, I think classical and warm outfits. I think of a cup of tea/coffee and knitting my the fire on a brisk fall evening. I think wool and alpaca cuddled softly against my hands as I knit something for my mother, boyfriend, or (selfishly) for me!

  35. I have been drooling over this book ever since the previews were released!

    The title makes me think of stormy ocean waves crashing on beaches. Same as you, I guess!

  38. new england knits brings soft, cozy sweaters and hot tea in the snow to mind 🙂

  44. To be honest, I think of thick, warm, gansey sweaters. Or maybe a novelty sweater with an intarsia lobster.

    …I hope this book really sincerely changes my mind, since I think a New England knit could be quite chic!

  46. Big thick wonderful sweaters for walking by the ocean – that’s what New England sweaters says to me! The patterns are so individual with great lines and design.

  47. Big thick wonderful sweaters for walking by the ocean – that’s what New England sweaters says to me! The patterns are so individual with great lines and design.

  48. When I think of a New England Knit I think of the ocean waves and pretty shades of blues and greens:)

  49. I am really excited about the New England Knits book! There are some awesome sweaters in there!

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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