Knitting

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Giveaway: Textured Knitting Books from Leisure Arts

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leisure arts booklet giveaways

Congratulations to Bradi!

I’m really liking sharing some quick book reviews over here, both because it gets me looking at more books than I was otherwise and because it’s giving me some more great stuff to give away.

So this week I’m giving away two books from Leisure Arts that I reviewed recently: Easy Textured Knits and iKnit Intrepid Cables. Both of these booklets are great for new to intermediate knitters and will give you lots of ideas for adding interest to your knitting.

If you want a chance to win them, leave a comment on this post before the end of the day Sunday, February 22. Why don’t you tell me if you have a favorite textured stitch pattern? Moss Stitch is my favorite basic, but I also love diamond patterns (and chevrons, though I’m not wild about them in woven fabric, which is kind of strange).

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

Next Pattern:

Comments

  1. I have never really thought about if I have a favorite stitch pattern. I think that just something other than straight garter or stockinette is great.

  5. I have only just taught myself to knit this past month so I don’t know which I like. lol
    i don’t have internet (really) & I hv taken all the books my library has. New books would be sweet & then when I’m done with them the library will be 2 books richer!

  8. I am new to knitting so i do not have a favorite stitch yet, but i am already addicted and am excited to discover a favorite as i learn more!

  11. Cool books! I love a cable texture even though I haven’t been able to master it yet. But I’m working on it!

  12. I have a simple slip stitch pattern that I use for cowls frequently. Also like a stitch that the Yarn Harlot used for a scarf. Easy and good texture.

  21. I love moss stitches for more interesting yarn (my favorite piece I’ve ever knitted was a mustard yellow cowl with super, super bulky yarn in a moss stitch!) and chevron for baby blankets. I’d love to add more to my repertoire!

  22. I love trying most stitches, making garments look unusual and original as long as the wool isn’t too thin as my hands are beginning to become old before I want them to.

  23. I am still beginner o I do not know how to do the fancy stitchs yet. I want to try to learn though.

  25. I’m currently working on a sampler afghan so I’m looking for any new textures I can. So far I’m just loving just how many patterns there are made with nothing more than knit and purls and I really love those, but it’s probably just because I’m still new when it comes to the other stuff, ie cables.

  28. I like moss stitch, seed stitch, ooo – cables are pretty, but I’ve never tried ’em. Texture is GREAT!

  37. I tend to prefer textured fabrics to colorful ones- and I like moss stitch, too, but should probably learn some others…

    thanks for the giveaway!!

  38. I love linen stitch. The texture is subtle and the it can create great visual texture if you use different color yarn.

Have you read?

Practice Colorwork on a Cute Knit Bunny

Sometimes I feel like knitters get intimidated to try new things because they think they need to start with a big project. Your first time working in the round doesn’t need to be a sock, and your first colorwork doesn’t need to be a sweater, for example. You can find little projects that use the skills you want to learn to build your confidence before you move on to something that requires more time commitment.

This adorable knit bunny, for example.

The colorwork bunny from Knit Picks was designed by Amy Munson and is a kind of bowling pin shaped bunny complete with a knit hat, contrasting inner ears and a little stranded colorwork on its body. Note that the ears are attached the the hat not the bunny, but you could stitch them to the bunny if you’d rather.

It’s worked from the bottom up and also has a tiny pompom tail you can’t see in the picture but it’s a really cute touch. There are a variety of little fair isle patterns to choose from to make the best bunny for you.

The bunny comes out about 8 inches tall (or just over 20 cm) and use several colors to complete the colorwork, depending on the design you choose.

You can purchase the pattern by itself from Knit Picks, or make a kit that includes sport weight yarn in all the colors you need for your creation. There are gray and brown options for the main body of the bunny, but of course if you’re using your own yarn you can make it whatever color you like.

Once you’ve tried colorwork (maybe also working in the round and shaping if those are skills you haven’t used before) in a little project like this you’ll be ready to take on something bigger in no time.

Check out the pattern on Knit Picks.

[Photo: Knit Picks]