Knitting

Patterns, projects and techniques

Giveaway! Nicky Epstein, Knitting a Kiss In Every Stitch.

by

This book was so much fun to look at. Chock full of simple, quick to knit, gift projects for everyone on your list. I know, you’ve heard that before, but seriously, Everyone! Scarves for your guy. Hats for your kids. Purses, socks, even a scarf for your dog! It’s a great book, my favorite project is the Charitible Gift Afghan done in pinks, reds and whites. Probably not a quick knit, that one, but definitely worth putting in the “gift” category.

To add to it, Nicky has given us a couple of her tips to pass along:

Tip 1:
When you plan to duplicate-stitch the motifs on your project, knit loosely to allow the duplicate stitches to settle into the fabric easier. Or, if the garment is knit on the tight side, split or pull out a strand of the yarn to make it thinner, or just use a thinner yarn to work the duplicate stitch.

Tip 2: Borrow From Baby
If you have purchased or handmade baby sweaters that no longer fit your child, you can use them to clothe their stuffed animals, as a tea cozy, or an adult hat by tying the sleeves together at the top.

This is a hard cover book with 35+ patterns. You can get the book, here: http://www.sixthandspringbooks.com/product_info.php?cPath=2&products_id=382

or, and here’s the fun part…. you can win it! Just leave me a comment telling me what my favorite color is. Come on, if you’ve been reading for awhile this is a no-brainer!

Obligatory stuff: This book comes from a smoke free, but not ever, ever, ever pet free home. Oh, and the contest ends Friday, March 26, 2010.

Next Pattern:

Comments

  2. Your favorite color is green. I know that because I have the same “problem” with green !!!! Is there any other color?

  3. I think your favorite color is green because you mentioned green for the sweater vest and the wrist warmers!

  15. I think your favorite color is green – in reverence to the beautiful Tuscany landscape you love so much!

  19. I’d love a chance to win this book – please enter me (your favorite color is green)!!

    Thanks 🙂

  20. I have been all over your blog and can’t find your favorite color. I am going to guess PURPLE.

    I’ve bookmarked your blog, though. You have great photos, even some free patterns and I think I just have to buy your knitted flowers book.

    Thanks for the giveaway.

    (Oh, wish that your blog had a “search” box.)

  24. the previous comments said green… it must be green. but I’ m sure you also love purple and why not yellow….

  28. Your favorite color is green. Thanks for the chance to win such a great book. I have my fingers crossed….there are so many patterns I would love to try!

  31. I guess green. I hope I win the book even though I don’t really like the color green. Blue is my favorite! I like anything blue!

  34. I love ALL Colors. . . . but at the moment turquoise is my favorite. Love to win and thanks for a great blog.

  36. I’m quite sure your color is green, and I will keep that in mind while I am out shopping for Ferraris. Mine is blue, should you be likewise occupied!

  37. I’m guessing your favorite color is green. The grass here in WI will soon be turning green!

  38. I would love this book. I think your fave color is green. Mine is orange. Or pink. Or blue

  42. My favorite color is that wonderful golden green that trees turn at sunset, so I bet your favorite color is green as well, its only the best color!

  43. Sounds like green is your favorite color. You’d probably love the new green paint in office. 🙂 Would love to win the book!

  45. Nicky Epstein is a knitting goddess. Her designs are always spot on.
    How about green?

Have you read?

Yarn Cozy Knitting Patterns

I’ve been toying with the idea of making a yarn cozy or yarn ball holder on the circular knitting machine, but I haven’t gotten to it yet. In the meantime, here are some yarn cozy knitting patterns you can make with knitting needles. Use yarn to hold you yarn!

In its simplest form, a yarn cozy is just a sleeve or a little basket that holds your yarn when you’re working with a center-pull ball so it doesn’t fall apart when you knit. The easiest ones I could find are from Love in Stitches KN, which has a regular size and a mini size. They’re worked with sock yarn and there are options for making them with ribbing, faux cables and with self-striping yarn.

For bigger cakes there’s a project called We call it the “bail holder” from Nicole LeBlanc. This pattern is available on Ravelry and you can use any yarn and make it any size you like. It features an I-cord edging that has a loop in it so you can thread they yarn through the loop to keep it extra contained as you knit.

Another large one that has a slightly fancier pattern is this one by Mareike Meye. You can use any yarn and any gauge, and slip stitch pattern worked in different colors on the sides makes it a little more fun and uses a bit more stash. A strap buttons across the top to hold the ball in place and you can add a buttonhole to the middle of the strap to thread the yarn through. Check this one out on Ravelry.

Adding lace to a yarn cozy makes it fit a wider variety of balls and expand or shrink a bit as needed. Jennifer Sugarman’s Ball Sack uses sock yarn and is made to hold sock yarn. It has the option of making I-cord or using ribbon or cord you already have to make a drawstring at the top. You can find this pattern on Ravelry.

Another lacy option is the yarn ball holder from Frugal Knitting Haus. This one uses worsted weight yarn and has an easy mesh lace pattern and an I-cord drawstring that’s sewn together at the ends so you could loop it over your wrist while you knit if you like. This pattern is also on Ravelry.

Speaking of wrist yarn holders, I also found this one form Knituition. This one uses sport weight yarn and has a spiral rib pattern on the body. The strap is attached to the bag with D-rings, or you could make it a little longer and just sew it into the bag.