Knitting

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Heldover Giveaway: Light & Layered Knits

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light & layered knits giveawayI usually let my giveaways run for one week unless I’m just not paying attention to pick a winner, but last week’s giveaway hasn’t gotten a whole lot of love so I thought I would post it again and leave it up for another week.

Light & Layered Knits is a great book for transitioning among seasons, offering tops that can be worn alone or with something else on top (or in the case of sweaters, as the top layer themselves). There are some projects perfect for summer, but great for other times of year as well, particularly if you’re hot natured or live in a warm climate.

If you want in on this giveaway, add a comment to this post (the original giveaway post is linked above and I’ll add those commenters to the list when I pick a winner.

Make sure you have your comment in before the end of the day Sunday, August 17 to be considered for the giveaway.

I asked last week for people to tell me some good news, but you can also tell me something you’re looking forward to (me: I’m almost done with my book!) or anything else you want to share.

Thanks for visiting, commenting and sharing and good luck!

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Comments

  3. I am looking for something new to do after i finsh my rag quilt so my a kniting it up next

  4. I am moving next week, and will have a dedicated Yarning area in my new home! I would love to have this book to put on the table next to my knitting chair!

  5. i would love this….i love knitting and croheting. i am new to this site and to find this right away was exciting

  6. I can’t think of anything in particular that I’m looking forward to. Maybe cooler nights!

  7. I really like the lace potion of the top on the cover of this book!
    I’ve been trying to find just the right pattern to start my knitting lace journey & that might be it! 🙂 M<

  8. I am looking forward to winning this book ad knitting the new patterns featured in this book

  12. I am looking forward to finishing the Candle-Flame Cowl I am working on (it is your pattern Sarah, from about.com) for my mom for Christmas… I am also looking forward to your book- I love how easy your patterns are.

  13. The cover project looks gorgeous! I’m looking forward to the fireworks on the 5th of August! It’s a national holiday here in Italy.

  14. A fresh look at an ancient art, now that is good news. Would be a delight to add this to my library. I also missed the post last week. Thanks for sharing the offer.

  15. Ooo! I hope I win! I look forward to this Friday when school is over. You see, I’m a toddler Montessori teacher, and I work year round. I only have one free week to get my classroom ready before the next school year begins again.

  16. Have been on vacation… Missed the first post… Would LOVE to add this book to my collection

  17. I’m looking forward to fall! And my good news is I finished my latest knitting project last night.

  21. I missed the original post also. Would love this book to practice some knitting on and I love to work on some tops to expand my wardrobe.

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]