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?

Bookmark Knitting Patterns

It’s always a good time for a bookmark, and even more so as we start thinking about back to school time. Reading is more fun when you have a pretty bookmark. That’s just science. 

Plus bookmarks are fast, portable, and a fun way to try out different skills. So let’s get busy with some bookmark knitting patterns!

This set of three bookmark knitting patterns from Lucky Fox Knits includes one worked in garter stitch, an easy eyelet lace and one with eyelets running down the center. I love the little I-cord for the tassel!

Add a simple textured stitch to a bookmark to make it a little more fun. This one from Franciscan Gypsy is called the paper towel bookmark, and I’ll bet you can pick it out above just from that description. This one calls for fingering weight yarn. 

Another pretty allover pattern is this slip-stitch lace design from Handy Little Me. Inspired by Taylor Swift’s Speak Now, it’s a sweet little design worked in fingering weight yarn. This one is a little extra fun because it has two tassels. 

I love this undulating wheat ear bookmark pattern from KMKnits Shop. It’s an interesting stitch pattern perfect for advanced beginner knitters, and it uses sport weight yarn. 

A lot of knit bookmarks have a bit of lace, and they’re actually a great way to pick up some lace knitting skills on a tiny project that doesn’t have to be perfect. I like this lacy one from Val Knitting Shop, which is inspired by daisy petals. It calls for fingering weight yarn. 

The Jasmine Bookmark from Valentina Fezova-Georgieva is another pretty lace pattern that’s a little more complex but still totally doable. It calls for fingering weight yarn and is available on Ravelry.

If you want a more literal inspiration of flowers in your bookmark pattern, try the pair of floral bookmarks form Warm and KnittedS. One has a little rosette and the other just has leaves. They look like I-cord but they’re actually worked flat on two needles and will stitch up in no time for a last minute gift or to tuck into your latest read.