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Guest Post and Giveaway – Knits Men Want

by 43 Comments

This giveaway is over. Winner Announced Here.

Editors Note: We at CraftGossip are honored to have Bruce Weinstein present his list of top ten knitting blogs for inspiration. In celebration of this post, we have a copy of Bruce’s book to giveaway. How to enter the giveaway is presented at the end of this post, so read on!

Bruce Weinstein is the author of the new book, Knits Men Want (STC Craft): part humorous relationship therapy, part straight-forward knitting instruction. Bruce has been designing knitwear and teaching knitting for 10 years, and has also written 15 cookbooks with his partner, Mark Scarborough. You can find Bruce blogging over at http://knitsmenwant.blogspot.com, or on his and Mark’s hilarious food blog: http://www.realfoodhascurves.com, but when he’s not busy blogging, knitting, teaching or cooking, you’ll find him hanging out at these great blogs:

http://spinningshepherd.blogspot.com

Diane’s sheep are so regal and she really brings the artisan craft – from fleece to yarn – to life on her blog. Plus it’s in French as well as English

http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog

Stephanie says what we’re all thinking – like sending killer bees to attack people who annoy us.

http://www.westknits.blogspot.com

It’s always great to see Stephen’s hip urban knits.

http://thececrux.blogspot.com

Kimberly is a wonderful knitter and really explains what she’s doing well.

http://www.moltingyeti.com/blog/index.html

Daniel has some unique patterns, love his baby blanket. And he’s a really nice guy, to boot!

http://queerjoe.blogspot.com

Anyone who knits gloves for a friend as a thank-you deserves to be read.

http://www.brooklyntweed.blogspot.com

If for nothing else, just to see how Jared photographs his latest project.

http://cubistliterature.vox.com

Craig makes crazy t-shirts and remind me of when I was his age.

http://modeknit.com

Because Annie really knows how to tell a story.

http://iknitipurl.wordpress.com

Because mixing food and knitting is always a good thing.

To win a copy of Bruce’s latest book Knits Men Want, leave a comment on this post. A winner will be randomly selected from all the entries. Good Luck!

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Comments

  3. We’ve been together six years, he doesn’t see me without needles in hand – but I haven’t had the courage to knit for him yet! Please send me the book and give me the courage I need!!!

  4. I read some of those blogs! Thanks for the links. There are some I’ve never seen before—and I’m a blog-hog.

    Oh, and I’d love to win a copy of the book!

  6. I’ve recently learned knitting and love making knits for the kids, but something for my boyfriend would be great, I’ve just been at a loss! Thanks for the chance to win!

  7. Thank you for all the links.
    I am always interested in what others have to say and how they are being creative

  8. Some perennial favorites there, but some new faces to check out as well. Thank you for posting this. 🙂

  9. Wow! All of these blogs are just wonderful (& let’s not forget Bruce’s wonderful blog either! ;)! I really feel so honored to have mad

  12. Sounds like a book I need. I was just looking for a pattern to knit for the Man of the House.

    Fingers Crossed

    Darla

  14. Thanks for some new links I hadn’t tripped over before…I hear good things about the book around the web and would love to have a copy…

  17. Alright! I can’t wait to check out all those links – thank you so much. Thanks for the chance to win what looks to be a fantastic book!

  19. I need a new men’s book for my 2 guys – hubbo & son, both big, both need new sweaters this year.
    Thanks for the links… I know some, but it’s great to see a few new too.

  20. I have a lot of patterns book, but very little patterns for men. I always support guys whom write knit pattern for us only. I hope this book success and their will be another one in the future.

  21. It’s always nice to read new blogs. As for the book, I’ve heard great things about it and wouldn’t mind seeing for myself!

  22. the book defenatly has great stuff for men.
    i would love to see my husbend wearing those knits
    thanks for the giveaway would love to win the “how to”

  24. As a fairly new knitting maniac, I’m always grateful for new resources for inspiration, how to’s and patterns. ‘Knits Men Want’ appears to deliver just what guys really would choose to wear.

  26. So far I’ve only found one pattern that my Dh was happy for me to knit for him – so I would love this book!

  27. I have three guys in my life (DH and 2 very tall sons) and would love to be able to knit for them! Thanks for the chance to win.

  28. I read the excerpt on melaniefalicbooks.com and I so totally see how true it is. I knit the same ole pair of socks over and over for my husband. And I have made two very plain sweaters for him. And for hats, the darker and plainer the better. Though he did ask for turn-a-square by Jared Flood for Christmas 🙂
    I have to check this book out, I think he might like the simplicity.

  29. I’m surrounded by men – my DH, 2 sons, one of who’s favorite color is black and the other will go as far as gray, and 2 grandsons so far – so this book would really help out a lot. Of course, I’d get a lot more knitting done if I didn’t keep spending all my time reading knitting blogs. And, now I have a new list to add! Hmmmm, guess I can knit straight stockingette stitch in the round and read, too….

  30. Thanks for the great links! It’s not always easy to find patterns for men – especially larger sizes.
    I’m off to spend time at these sites…

  33. As someone who never got past five entries on a blog, I really appreciate those folks who share their skill, knowledge and inspirations with us.

  34. Brilliant links – and some great men’s knits there. What a generous giveaway, thankyou 😉

  36. Thanks for all of the great links! I would like a copy of this book. I think there are several things my husband would love.

  37. Please enter me – I’d love a chance to win this wonderful book!
    Thanks 🙂

  39. My mom and I, both expert knitters have yet to finish a sweater for XXL DH. It always comes out too big. Maybe this is the book that would change our luck.

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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