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Guest Post and Giveaway – Knits Men Want

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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?

Knit a Spiky Balaclava

Not too long ago my daughter and I had a discussion about what a chestnut really looks like. The nut itself is small and brown, of course, but on the tree they’re covered with this weird kind of spiky, kind of fuzzy shell. It’s a wonder anyone ever figured out they were edible.

If you didn’t know that, you might wonder why this project is call Chestnut balaclava, but now you know.

This fun design from Yevheniia Pyroh is covered with spikes just like a chestnut shell, and is even the same color, though of course you can make yours whatever color you like. It uses two strands of fingering weight yarn held together (which it says is fingering weight but you could try a light/DK yarn and see if you get gauge with it if you’d rather).

There are two different design options in the pattern. One is a more fitted balaclava style hat (it doesn’t cover the face but does go around the neck) and a looser fit hood.

It’s worked primarily in garter stitch, with shaping done by knitting and purling in the same stitch and through various decreases (including a knit 3 together).

The pattern is charted but also explained in words. It’s worked flat to the size you want, and then joined into a hood shape with ribbing at the neck. The opening for the face is finished with I-cord.

This hood/balaclava would definitely be a conversation starter and in different colors it might read more dinosaur than chestnut, which could also be fun. The sizing is totally custom so you can make it fit whatever head you’re stitching for.

If you want to try it for yourself (and I’d love to hear about it if you do!) you can download the free pattern from Ravelry.

[Photo: Yevheniia Pyroh]

Balaclava Knitting Patterns

Colorwork Balaclava Knitting Pattern [Knitting]