Thursday, May 21, 2009

memorial day knitting book giveaway

Aviara - ruffled surplus top by Marnie MacLean

Haleakala - Beach Chair by Heather Broadhurst

The Book!
Knitting in the Sun - 32 Projects for Warm Weather by Kristi Porter (Wiley, 2009)

To celebrate the warm weather that seems to have finally arrived, and because the long weekend is so nearly, nearly here, I'm offering a giveaway of a cool new favorite knitting book made specifically for warm weather. The top two images are projects from the book - I'm particularly digging the beach chair. There's also a bunch of sleeveless and short sleeved tops, some summer-weight cardigans, and even a few skirts. A really cute beach hat uses wire in the rim to keep it stiff (so smart!), and a bathing suit that is knitted with cotton-lycra to give it stretch, and encased elastic with criss cross straps, so that you can actually venture into the water without fear of flashing someone inadvertently!

So if you want to enter, post a comment telling me what knitting projects you're working on right now (or procrastinating on, or hoping to do, or wishing you knew how to do...you get the idea).
I'll announce the winner next week!


17 comments:

SavingDiva said...

Since I moved to Texas (from Michigan), I've knit a few hats. I'm currently working on a pair of Nordic mittens that are taking forever to complete!

She Crafty said...

SavingDiva - That's ambitious, and really cool! I always seem to lose steam on projects that require me to use small needles and/or follow instructions closely : )Bet your enjoying the warmer weather after Michigan!

Thanks for the sharing!

Unknown said...

Hello! Wow, just popping in here for the very first time and how wonderful to see this delightful give away! This book looks great! A knitter can always use some fresh inspiration and new patterns...

Right now I am working on a pair of socks for my 8 year old son for next winter. Then next in line is my 3 year old daughter.

Happy holiday weekend!
~Emily

Devaburger said...

Looks like a fun book. :) I always have way too many projects on-the-needles. Right now, it's a scarf for my dad, circular dishrag for my sister, and little toys for my nephew. I really like knitting miniatures, and I'm trying out patterns for knit jewelry. That should keep me busy for a while!

Anonymous said...

It's winter here in New Zealand, and my ongoing mission is to spread warmth, particularly to small people. Have just about finished a Peapod set for a colleague who is pregnant. On the back of the sofa is another cute jacket and hat in Cleckheaton Nurture, destined for another baby on the way. Other projects lurk in baskets and kits, each edging their way towards completion - includes a baby singlet, a jacket for me from Noro Transitions, a scarf from Naturally Misti. I'm about to begin a scarf from Cascade 220 for a niece who chose the pattern - she doesn't knit, so is likely to be most impressed by what is really a very straightforward pattern - one grabs kudos where one can!!

I have experienced Memorial Day - my daughter in law is American and she and my son and grandson live in Southern California. My impression was that all of America hits the road to drive somewhere, anywhere. I recall the roads round La Jolla being absolutely crammed. We too were driving, so were contributing to the mass of humanity and vehicles.

Betty-Ann

Ann said...

I just started a great little Year of the Pig felted purse, despite the fact that it's not longer the Chinese Year of the Pig. But it's always pigtime in my book.

Liz said...

What a beautiful book! I'm working on the Blossom socks from Twist Collective and sneaking in ballband dishcloths when no one is looking.

She Crafty said...

Ravenhill - Thanks! I think you'd really enjoy it. You have a great website, I've added you to my google reader. Your drawstring bags are beautiful. I love to give people presents in homemade bags so I'm always got a few underway. Currently I've been making fruit and vegetable storage bags out of muslin and cheesecloth.

She Crafty said...

Betty Ann - I'm actually from Australia, (I now live in NYC and have for the past 20 yrs.). Memorial Day is indeed filled with people travelling somewhere! We head out to my folks place at the beach, and are always in a mad dash to try and beat the bumper to bumper traffic. Which, of course we never seem to be able to do on long weekends! Sounds like you have some beautiful projects underway and, might I have, what lucky friends you have!

Liz - thanks so much! What are ballband dishcloths? Curious...

Remember to check back next week!

She Crafty said...

Ann - Hi! I couldn't agree more, it should always be pigtime! My husband and I just visited Blue Hill at Stone Barns for a special dinner, and in touring the farm, we saw a new litter of piglets. Turns out my frenchie, Crumpet, looks remarkably like a piglet from behind!

BTW - I love your site. Just left you a comment on the Lemongrass post. I worked with Mai years ago in my Harper Collins days, she's so, so lovely. Pleasures of the Vietnamese Table is a wonderful resource for simple, authentic recipes. I wonder if her sauces will be in my local Whole Foods or if they are just on the west coast...

She Crafty said...

Devaburger - Thanks for checking in. Knitting miniatures and jewelry - soo coool! Hope you'll share photos!

Lynn said...

Well I've been working on my first felted purse for about 1.5 years now! I'm a newby knitter, with only 5 sweaters under my belt. I do need to open the bag the purse materials are in and finish it!

Liz said...

Here's the first like I found to the ballband dishcloth:

http://www.canadianliving.com/crafts/knitting/knit_a_ballband_dishcloth.php

Not fancy knitting, but addictive and useful!

She Crafty said...

Liz - cool, thanks for sharing! I especially liked the comment at the end "remember to take off your apron and hairnet before leaving the house"!

She Crafty said...

Lynn - I'd say 5 sweaters is pretty impressive IMHO. Certainly nothing to sneeze at. The first sweater I made my husband was made alpaca and is so big and warm that he can only wear it in the coldest, coldest day of the year - for about 5 minutes. But he loves it. Along with a bunch of other projects, I'm currently at work on a zippered cardigan for him out of Manos del Uruguay. Hoping the zipper and cooler wool work better this time around!

Anonymous said...

Always working on several at one time. Dress for grand daughter, shrug for daughter in law, and always making squares for blankets for homeless and cemo caps>

She Crafty said...

Anonymous - What a wonderful gift your offering. Thanks for visiting and sharing :)