Book Covers

Today's post is not about my own creative efforts, but those of a friend I met through the Creative Mom Podcast group.

Ok so I spend a fair amount on the bus. Now of course a lot of that time is taken up by knitting, but I am also an avid reader. So I was really excited when I saw that Jessica of Ocean of Creativity was making fabric book covers.

I actually received these more than a year ago, but I kept waiting for her to post more in her Etsy store. I haven't seen her do so, but if you were interested I bet she could make some more if you contacted her.

I can't say that I am terribly skilled when it comes to sewing, but I absolutely loved the idea of these. Generally most of my books are library discards or donated library booksale finds. Good reading, but they aren't always in the best shape. So I contacted Jessica about the possibility of sending her some much loved fabric that I wasn't going to do anything with, and I have to say I am thrilled with the results.

She made me one one in a hardback and one in paperback size (I would say up to 350-400 pages, but I bet you could request one that accommodated a thicker paperback if you wanted). There is a ribbon at the top of the spine that you can use as a bookmark, and a loop of fabric that goes through a ribbon loop at the side to hold the book closed while it is in your bag.

I am a tactile person, and I have to say that my first impression is that these really have some thickness to them. They are fully lined and in the case of the hardcover it has an extra layer of interfacing that gives it some substance and added protection.

Which leads to me to my next question. It is the end of summer. I am doing a lot of chilling on the new couch reading since it has been too hot to knit much. What have you all been reading this summer? Anything you would recommend?

Birthday Giveaway

It is officially my birthday, even if we aren't going to be able to celebrate right away due to thesis deadlines. But I am still giving away presents, and if you would like to play along just leave a comment. I will pick names at the end of the month.


This year there are 3 prizes: a skein of Mountain Colors Bearfoot, a skein of Mind's Eye Yarns Merino/Tencel sock yarn in an exclusive sock club color from last summer, and a copy of Knit Lit the Third. I will be drawing 3 names, and there will be 3 winners. International readers are welcome to participate, as I am willing to ship internationally. Good luck!

Look Stockinette!

For some reason I have been totally uninterested in knitting recently. I am not sure of the cause, but I seem to have broken through a bit of that funk today though. I finished up Chiquita's back-to-school socks, just in time for her to wear on this cold and clammy day.

Yarn: Regia Mini Ringel Color 5216
Needles: US Size 2s/2.75 MM
Pattern: Most Basic Kids Socks (pdf) by by Evelyn Skae

I still have a good amount left from the single ball, though not enough for another pair. I'm thinking it will become another preemie hat.

With that done, I started a new set of playground socks. You know, the type that is good for working on at the playground all in stockinette so you can still watch the kids. Ages ago I bought some of Spunky Eclectic's "Potluck" yarn. (And hey look there is a Ravelry yarn. Sweet!) What I didn't realize or think about at the time is that every skein is different. Every skein.


So the two I got aren't quite the same. One is a rainbow color, while the other is a more muted berry with rainbow bits. You might notice that there are 2 strands going to each sock. I am alternating rows in each sock. Mmmm stockinette. I know lots of people who like more pattern to their sock, but nothing else soothes my frazzled nerves like stockinette in the round.

And speaking of knitting, I found a great booklet of men's sweater patterns at a local library book sale.

I had tossed it in with a copy of Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards, only to be told that all magazines were being given away for free. Now I wish I had been able to find more vintage knitting magazines!

A Birthday Gift in Reverse

I mentioned a little while back that I had gotten an extra copy of Knitting Nature recently. Well in honor of my birthday I am now giving it away!

I love this book so much, and even if nothing strikes your fancy pattern-wise I think it is worth having around just for eye-candy and inspiration. I particular though, I am thinking of making this adaption of the Basalt Tank sometime soon.

Although my birthday is nominally today, I plan on going camping this weekend to celebrate so I will give you until midnight EST Sunday, June 25th to post a comment. Wish yourself a very merry un-birthday from me. (Or if you like Crazy Aunt Purl share my birthday, happy birthday!)

Books, a Rant and Another Square

Yay! Today was a good mail day. Several books arrived from Amazon's crazy knitting book sale (less than $6 a book). I actually already have a copy of Knitting Nature, but the price for it with Last Minute Knitted Gifts was so crazy that it was worth getting the duplicate. Keep tuned as I will giving the extra away in the near future for my upcoming birthday.I also picked up Charmed Knits, although it was not part of the sale, because really how could I resist? I had heard good things, and flipping through it I am really pleased. I know that I won't have time to knit for the movie release, but I could definitely think about it for Arisia.

Okay so now for the mini-rant. I don't knit with a lot of "craft store acrylic", but I do have quite a bit in the stash that I have been crocheting. Today when I was working with the Lions Brand Pound of Love I pulled at the center end only to get the dreaded "muppet guts" phenomena. When I looked carefully at the yarn connecting it to the center though, I saw that there were 2 strands. Two. That means an end was going in and out, so how was this connected to the end I was pulling?
Well it turns out that it wasn't. What is the only thing worse than knits in your yarn? Randomly cut lengths of yarn! Above is the photo of the how much yarn was in the cut "end."

I also got started on Learn to Crochet Lesson 3. This week's topics are shell stitch, popcorn stitch, V stitch, puff stitch and bullion stitch.
Pattern: Circle of Hope from Craft Daisies' Crochet Lesson 3
Hook: H Boye Aluminum Hook
Modifications: This square was a little small, so I ended up doing a hdc border rather than a sc border. This is beginning to be a trend. Perhaps if I was a more knit-picky crocheter I would start going back to try another size hook. Oh well.

Fitted Knits Giveaway

So the a few weeks ago my mom surprised me with a copy of Fitted Knits (Carol wrote a great "no-bull" review that you should go read if you haven't yet). I had had this book on my wishlist for months before it came out, and she pre-ordered it as a random-for-absolutely-no-reason surprise. (Isn't she awesome?) The only problem? I had already bought it at a local independent bookstore almost a month before, since Interweave Press makes their books available at independent bookstores first. (Which by the way rocks my socks. I love the fact that they are thinking about the little guy, and not just about making the largest profit they can as soon as possible.)
So here is where you can make out. I already asked her, and she would rather it went to someone I thought would use it than to return it. So I am going to give away the second copy of this book. Just leave me a comment to this post with the following information before May 4th. As I have been hinting, I am going to be doing some travel with my partner. (I am super excited. We are going to Hong Kong and then Germany.) To enter tell me the following information:

• Where has been your favorite place to go to (or would like to) and why? This can be international or domestic.
  
• What is one item you consider essential when you travel?

That's it! The winner will be selected after I get back from my trip.

Also if you know any yarn shops in Hong Kong, Germany, Amsterdam or the Paris area that I should try to visit, please let me know. So far all I have to go on is this yarn shop reference to Hong Kong.

Little Knits

Do you have any idea what this image means? Nope I am not pro-creating, but my sister is!

Actually a bunch of people in my life are pregnant or trying right now. So many opportunities for cute baby things! I have been having issues finding unisex baby patterns that absolutely thrill me, but between these two books and the Pure and Simple Pattern I have the basic measurements to get creative on my own.

I picked a few other individual patterns too. My daughter picked out the duck hat and booties, which was totally worth picking up when we were at The Knitting Room's Superb0wl sale. Also I love the fact that you can pick up Elizabeth Zimmerman's Baby Surprise Sweater pattern by itself, and Jackie at The Knitting Room was fabulous enough to print a "cheat sheet" available online for my convenience.

I have already started digging through my stash to figure out what I have and what I don't. Knitting baby stuff is so fun, and I can't wait to get started. I just need to finish up the pair of socks I am working on, and then I will be casting on for my new niece or nephew shortly.

Knitting Books

I have a great love for books. I also get a great deal of enjoyment from knitting. The two together were destined! It may be surprising then that my knitting library is fairly small.

The first book I got was Stitch 'N Bitch by Debbie Stoller. I taught myself to knit originally from this book, although I definitely used Knitting Help as well. The astute among you will notice that it is not in the above photo. There is a good reason for that. My dad borrowed it to make me a circular needle hanger last spring/summer. I have seen nothing of needle hanger or book since. I should really remind him that he has them.

The second book I bought was Stitch N' Bitch Nation. I admit that I haven't actually knit anything from this book, though I have thought about it. My roommate was working next to a bookstore and saw a used copy in great condition. She picked it up for me, and it has been living happily in my book stash since.

After I made my first pair of socks I bought Sensational Knitted Socks to expand my sock making possibilities. I haven't knit any pattern straight out of this book, but I have often referred to its handy foot measurements and gauge tables, stitch dictionaries, and description of techniques. This is a must have if you are interested in designing your own socks.

Next I bought Knitting Nature. I admit I was swayed by how much Grumperina waxed poetic over it. It is a gorgeous book though, and it is thoroughly inspiring. It also greatly pleases my inner geek as I am fascinated with chaos theory.

Socks, Socks, Socks came next. There are a number of really cute patterns in here. This is definately more of a book to follow the patterns than to encourage to break off on your own like Sensational Knitted Socks. Sometimes that is exactly what I want though.

Then while I was working in Madison, WI for school/work, I picked up Plus Sized Knits at Half Price Books. I have never seen this chain in new england, but it is great. This book looks new and has several cute sweaters I am thinking of making my mom. Honestly I have only really looked at the knitting patterns in this book, but I need to take it back down from the shelf and look in on the crochet ones too as I am feeling more comfortable with it.

My next purchase was Knitting Loves Crochet. I am new to crochet, but I loved the idea of incorporating this new technique (for me) with something I already enjoy. Plus the patterns in this book are really cute and inspiring.

I bought 2 store copies of books from a yarn store that was going out of business. Folk Socks by Nancy Bush was every bit as good a read as everyone has said. The history is really interesting, and the patterns are presented quite clearly. I plan on using this soon, although I just acquired it a few days before the holidays. At that time I also got Knitting Ganseys but honestly I haven't even cracked the spine on this one yet. My SO really likes the look of ganseys though, so it will be something to try this year.

And my final knitting book in my library isn't pictured here either (the alpha and omega it seems). For Solstice my sister got me Twisted Sock Sisters. I honestly hadn't heard of this book before 2 weeks ago when it was mentioned by Lime N' Violet, but this book is great! It has interesting ideas for spinning, dyeing and knitting socks. What isn't to love?

This tour of my knitting library doesn't include my binder of patterns, but I have to say that I tend to get more inspired to design my own variations from books. On the other hand I rarely just follow a pattern from a book because I just love it just the way it is, the way that I can with a pattern I buy/download/find online. So there are trade offs, but I think that having both allows me to maximize my kniting creativity.