11.28.2007

KnitSpeak Giveaway and Book Review

I don't know about you, but my favorite part of the holidays is the stockings I love filling them up and opening my own. Our tradition is to fill the stocking with practical gifts, like chapstick or toothpaste (there's nothing funnier then opening a wrapped bottle of chapstick!). This year I was thinking of filling my knitting and crocheting family stockings with hand cream, stitch markers, and mini tape measures- all very practical crafty stuff that I know I never have enough of in my bags. Anyway, in that spirit of filling your stocking with some practical gifts.

I'm hosting a KnitSpeak stocking stuffer Giveaway Contest.

The nice publishers at STC gave me 2, yup not one but 2 copies to giveaway! This book is definitely the perfect size to fit in your stocking, and then your knitting bag. See below for my review of the book.

If you are interested in winning a copy, just leave me a comment (or send me an email) with your favorite crocheting/ knitting gift you have given by Dec 8th. I'll have Faye pick two winners at random and announce the winner and your great gift ideas on Dec 10th.




Knitspeak Book Review

by Andrea Berman Price
published by STC


"Knitspeak is a knitting reference book that aims to demystify pattern language and gives knitters of all levels the confidence to take on new projects." For me personally, as a on and off again knitter, this tiny book is really helpful to toss in my knitting bag; and use to look up info when I forget how to do a left crossing cable or what SSK means. The book is organized with basic "how to read a pattern" info in the beginning, then alphabeticly lists common words (with cross references to similar terms- which is a favorite of mine), and lastly an appendix with misc info (from how to sub yarns to fixing errors). It's quite easy to use. One of my other favorites is a list in the beginning on "what patterns do not tell you", which is full of info that I can definitely say that even I can forget to add in my patterns. There are a number of illustrations and charts throughout to help explain knitting terms in words you can understand. I have already bookmarked the chart on choosing an increase, that tells you if you want an increase with a twist to the left then you want a M1L (make one left). Oh and if you needed another reason to pick one up, it has a ruler on the back- so you never have to worry about how you are going to measure your gauge when you can't find your tape- if you have your handy little book in your bag. This guide would definitely make a nice gift for a new knitter (or forgetful knitter like me). Oh, and check out STC's blog that has a great behind the scenes look at the how the book cover was designed.

28 comments:

jinny said...

Oh, intriguing! Does this covere the more obscure, older knitting abbreviations?

Deanna Barrett said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Deanna Barrett said...

add me in to the drawing! my favorite crochet gift that I have given was an afghan that I made for my cousin's baby. It was the Lacy Baby Blanket Lionbrand pattern. Took so long, but it turned out soft & beautiful.

Natalie J said...

A wonderful contest - the book sounds terrific!

My favorite gift is the first knit thing I made that wasn't a scarf or a hat. My knit group was donating to a children's charity and I made a toddler sized fuzzy jacket with a matching hat. It was my proudest achievement!

Deneen said...

Oh how this would be terrific for me-wanting to learn how to knit and what it all means.

My favorite Christmas gift I have given are my annual NICU donations to the hospital where my daughter was born and where she stayed for a week. My daughter was the bruiser of the NICU and when I saw how small and alone (big city hospital)so many of these babies were, I decided we would make donations every year for Elena's birthday, which happens to be 12/21-so we go as a family and make the donations.

On a personal gift I have given, it would have to be a shawl I made for my daughter's teacher last year, she actually cried when she opened it (I think it was because she was touched, not because it was hideous).

Unknown said...

i am in for the drawing... sounds like a great book from the reviews i've read.

the third thing i ever knit was a stocking for my husband for Christmas. He really was not impressed until some knit friends told him stories of folks who knit for years and never make socks, ever. Now, all these years later, he loves to point out things i've made just for him ;)

Lil Knitter said...

My favorite gift that I have given was also my first and my reason for teaching myself to knit in the first place. It's a blue baby blankie I knitted for my sister who was expecting her first child at the age of 40. She even included my blankie in my new nephew's first baby pictures. It took me forever but it was so worth the effort.

Unknown said...

Hi! I'm having a hard time thinking of "the best" gift I have given, because it really has nothing to do with the gift itself and everything to do with the 'Thank you'. I have kept every 'thank you' I have received, either in written form, or engraved on my heart from people who have received a gift. And when people tell me years later, what my gift meant to them, I am aglow all over again. It happened just today, when I ran into a neighbor at a store and she said that her son loves the blanket I made for him (5 years ago) and it is "his" blanket. That kind of story makes my day.

patita said...

I think the best knitting gift I gave wasn't a finished object, but a sampler of different yarns and a pair of needles that were the right size for them, as inspiration for a friend to finally learn. Sure enough, it got her to take a class!

Melody said...

I just started knitting this year. I haven't given any knitted gifts yet.

froggy-knitter said...

What a great idea! It's kind of a tie for me. The first one is a crocheted plaid afghan I made for my aunt last year, which I was very proud of and she loved. I was proud especially for finishing it in time, since I hadn't expected to see her, and since weaving in the plaid at the end was very tedious! The second is "Maine Morning Mitts", which I made this year for a friend's mom. It's an awesome super-quick knit, that I'll keep for quick gifts for years, I'm sure.

Miranda said...

My favorite is a baby blanket I knitted for my cousin's baby. I wasn't all that happy with the end result, but when I found out it's the baby's favorite it made me all warm n fuzzy inside! :)

I heard this book was a fun read!

Oiyi said...

Count me in the drawing! My favorite crochet item that I have given away is a crocheted Granny Square Afghan that I gave my dad for Christmas. He didn't really react much to it when I gave it to him, but I see it being used on the couch everytime I go and visit him. I know he loves it, but can't say it. Men!

Sugar 'n Spice said...

Oh, may I be entered into the drawing, please? The book sounds fantastic!

I'm actually still knitting my favorite "knit" gift so far: a basketweave scarf for my best friend with a matching headband to cover her ears. She shaved her head this summer, and while her hair has grown back in, it's very short and her ears are going to FREEZE this winter! She had thick curly hair to keep her ears warm before, but not now!

skully said...

This book sounds great! My favourite knitting gift I gave was a blanket to a dear friend for her baby. It wasn't anything fancy, but her appreciation was so overwhelming. She regularly takes pictures of her son with the blanket and emails them to me!

MrsFife said...

Every gift I've ever crocheted or knitted for my aunt, who treasures each of them :)

Karen said...

My favorite Christmas gift that I gave was to the other 5 members of my spinning group. Last year I have them all mini sock blocker key chains and a pattern for knitting a mini sock for the blocker. They loved them

AndreaLea said...

My favorite knit Christmas gift will be the scarf I am working on right now for my mother-in-law. I hope she likes it as much as I do!

My favorite crochet Christmas gift would have to be the set of chicken potholders I made for my little brother and his first apartment. :)

Kate said...

Add me to the drawing please. My favorite gift was a baby blanket I crocheted for my sister when she was born. I was 16 at the time and it was a granny square pattern in rainbow pastels.

Fernanda said...

I'd love to be entered into the drawing. The gift I enjoyed making the most was an afghan for my sister's wedding. A Terry Kimbrough special that was so easy to make and got such rave reviews.

Samantha said...

I'd love to enter the drawing too. I think one of the favorite things I crocheted for a gift was little purse and stuffed doll for a friend of my sons. He contributed lots of the ideas that made the project extra special.

Jenn said...

I have two favorite crocheted gifts I've given. One is a felted purse and wallet set for one best friend. And the other is the simple granny square afghan I made for my other best friend using her favorite colors. I know they are both still used and very loved and appreciated.

Montreal Mama said...

My absolute fave knitted gift was the Irish Hiking Scarf & Hat I made for my father-in-law for his birthday this year. He absolutely loved it and apprecaited it. This is the first time I've given a hand knit to someone and really truly felt like they appreciated the time & effort I put into the gift.

Mary Sarah said...

What a great contest! I'm just learning to knit so anything to help demsytify it for me would be wonderful! My favorite crochet gift would be a purse I made for my mother. I made it with crochet nylon and she was so happy and impressed with it.

Knit Girl said...

My fave knitted gift that I've given are Saartje's Booties. (Pattern here: http://members.home.nl/tdpj/Patronen/Bootees/Saartjes%20bootees.pdf) I've knit them for everyone I know that has had or are having a baby! I've also made a bunch and donated them to the local hospital for the maternity ward. They are sooo cute and adorable. Definitely my fave knit! Thanks for hosting this contest!

Shirley said...

My favourite was an aran style stocking that I made. I tried out many designs before deciding what I wanted to use. It took a long time. I wonder if it even exists anymore.

ikkinlala said...

The only knit gift that I've given so far (and therefore my favourite) has been dishcloths - not fancy, but people seemed to appreciate them. Last Christmas I wasn't a very experienced knitter. This year I'm still not, but I did make a pair of socks for my mom and a couple of pairs of mittens.

Unknown said...

My favorite gift I ever made was my first Afghan. It was made several years ago, probably when I was 13. It was a simple oversized granny square, but I am still very proud of it, and my mom never knew anything about it until that Christmas! I'm also working very hard now on my first knitting project that is going to be for my dad... he's getting socks and a scarf!