Knitting

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Giveaway – Simple Style By Ann Budd

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I run across quite a few knitting books in my travels, excursions and jaunts, most are kind of cool, however since my life and tastes run far, far from the NY runways, and while I can drool over patterns and techniques, a lot of them don’t have a practical use in my daily life.

Enter Simple STYLE. These sweaters, jackets, vests, wraps… offer a lot of style, with minimal “runway flair”.  13 designers contributed to this latest in the “STYLE” series including Veronik Avery, Deborah Newton, Ann Smith, and quite a few more. This book combines simple patterns and techniques to create stunning, contemporary designs, even garter stitch looks awesome, paired with lace edges. These styles seek to elimnate unnecessary details, minimize seams, and reduce finishing steps.

You can get Simple STYLE from Interweave Press, here: http://www.interweave.com/books

Well, you don’t have to go to Interweave to get the book  now, I’ll give it to you.  Leave me a comment by 3.31.09 and tell me what your favorite knitting blogs are. I’ll put you in the drawing.

Wow! 3 giveaways in one day. Someone needs to clean out their stash more often!

Comments

  1. I would love to win this book.
    My favorites are (besides this one)
    Wendy Knits, Shut up, I’m counting, and Simple Knits.
    Sheryl

  2. The blogs I check daily include The Yarn Harlot, Vickie Howell, The Rainey Sisters, Knitgrrl, And She Knits Too, The Heathen Housewife, and this blog, in addition to several others and some spinning blogs. Takes me forever to get through them all! LOL

  3. knitty.com
    nonaKnits (what happened to that?)
    Grumperina

    I also hop around, depending on what I’m looking for.

  6. My favorite knitting blog is Little Cotton Rabbits. I find Julie’s work amazing. Thanks much for the giveaway.

  9. Yarn Harlot hands down – she knit and makes me snort my coffee – what more do I need?

  15. I love Ann Budd and don’t have this book. Please add me to the giveaway.

    one of my favorite blogs is Kris Knits. She is very talented and does some really cute dishcloths and other patterns.

  16. I love blog.berroco.com! Their works are truly amazing and make you want to grab your needles and give the projects your best shot.

  19. I think my favorites are Vickie Howell and Knitty.com but I am always in search of others too. I would love to win this knitting book.

  21. I’m afraid that I keep adding more and more knitting blogs to my RSS feed but the main one I always read is the Yarn Harlot. She is a riot and brightens my day. Other ones are Grumperina and Knitspot. I just added this one this week.

    I love Ann Budd and refer to her books often.

  24. It’s tough to choose favourites, but I really like Cosmicpluto and The Plucky Knitter’s blogs.

  26. Please enter me in this great giveaway! My favorite blogs are Vickie Howell, Yarn Harlot, and Rachel’s Knitting Blogspot. Thank you!

Have you read?

Vintage Bed Socks Knitting Pattern – A Cozy Little Gift Project With Old-Fashioned Charm

There is something wonderfully nostalgic about a pair of handmade bed socks, isn’t there? They are practical, pretty, and just the sort of project that feels like it belongs beside a cup of tea, a good film, and a basket of wool that is pretending not to be overflowing.

This vintage Bed Socks knitting pattern is one of those sweet little patterns that still feels useful today. Originally from the Jaeger Hand-Knit Series No. 44, the design features a simple garter-stitch foot, a ribbed cuff, eyelet holes, a crochet chain tie, and little tassel-style pom-poms at the front. The original pattern even describes them as “a very acceptable present,” and honestly, I don’t think much has changed there.

These would make a lovely handmade gift for someone who is always cold, someone recovering or resting, or anyone who appreciates a bit of old-fashioned comfort. They would also be beautiful as a Mother’s Day gift, a winter birthday present, a Christmas stocking filler, or a “just because you deserve cozy feet” project.

The pattern itself is delightfully simple in construction. The socks are knitted flat, beginning at the lower edge, with the foot worked in garter stitch before moving into the ribbed upper section. The decorative eyelet row allows for a crochet chain cord to be threaded through, and the finishing tassels give the socks that charming vintage look. The top edge is finished with a row of double crochet, which adds a neat handmade touch.

The original measurements list the socks as approximately 10½ inches from the top to the lower edge of the heel, with a 9¾ inch foot length, and the pattern notes that the size can be adapted. As with many vintage knitting patterns, modern knitters will want to check gauge carefully and choose a soft yarn that feels comfortable against the skin. A cozy wool blend, soft acrylic, or washable yarn would all work depending on whether you are making these for everyday use or as a special gift.

I especially love that this pattern has that “giftable” quality without being a massive project. It is small enough to feel achievable, but still special enough that the finished pair looks thoughtful. And let’s be honest, handmade socks with pom-poms are always going to beat a last-minute candle from the supermarket.

The PDF version has been cleaned up and formatted for easier reading while keeping the original vintage design intact. It also includes a modern pink mockup image and the original vintage scan, so you get both the historical charm and a fresh idea of how the finished socks could look today.

If you enjoy vintage knitting patterns, cozy handmade gifts, or quick projects that feel useful rather than just decorative, this sweet little bed socks pattern is a lovely one to add to your collection.

You can find the Vintage Bed Socks Knitting Pattern PDF in the CraftGossip Etsy store.

For supplies, this is also a nice stash-friendly project. A soft yarn from Mary Maxim or Amazon would work well, and if you make pom-poms regularly, a small pom-pom maker is one of those inexpensive tools that saves a surprising amount of fiddling.