<Living Crafts Blog

Doesn’t this gorgeous sweater and beret make you want cold weather right now? This is a perfect knitting project to start now to get ready for Old Man Winter who will be here before you know it!

These are both designs from Sasha Kagan’s Classic Collection by Sasha Kagan, published by The Tauton Press in 2011. Click here to download a free PDF tutorial.

Sasha Kagan’s Classic Collection — Phototgrapher credit: Chris Gloag.

This book is a collection of Kagan’s most iconic designs that span over the last forty years. Known best for her use of color and innovative intarsia designs to create striking patterns and motifs, Kagan’s designs have passed the test of time to become true classics in their own right. Kagan’s patterns are organized by four decades, offering you 5 designs from each decade, from 1969 to 2009.   All designs are updated and reworked in contemporary yarns so you can find them readily in stores.

GIVEAWAY

The folks at Taunton Press have offered a copy of this beautiful book as a giveaway to our readers.  For a chance to win a copy sent to you in the U.S. please leave a comment on this post by Friday, October 14th.  Winner will be announced Monday.

Modern Mix by Jessica Levitt will teache you to confidently mix and match fabrics for a fresh, clean look.

A printed fabric is so eye-catching…and when it’s paired with the right solid, the result is brilliantly graphic. These contemporary projects show off the dynamic partnership of large-scale prints and vivid solids. Filled with fabulous ideas and information for how to integrate fabrics, this book is a must-have for your sewing library. Includes a chapter on quiltmaking basics.

Jessica Levitt has been sewing and quilting since the age of 12. Always thirsting for some new craft, she has taught herself countless quilting techniques as well as costuming, event design, and home decor. She is a designer for Windham Fabrics. Her degree in engineering from Duke University is now largely unused while she pursues fulfillment in more creative endeavors. Jessica lives and works in New Jersey with her husband and two children. She blogs at http://www.juicy-bits.typepad.com/.

GIVEAWAY

For a chance to win a copy of Modern Mix, please leave a comment on this post by Monday, October 17th, 2011 midnight.  The winner will be announced on Wednesday, October 19th.  Although the giveaway is open to all, only with a U.S. address you can receive a print version of the book.  If you live outside of U.S. and win this giveaway, you will receive a digital copy of the book (oh just as GOOD!).

Sweetwater’s Simple Home will get you inspired to sew something handmade for every room in your house! This new release from Stash Books features 35 beginner-friendly projects, including quilts, pillows, table linens, and accessories—many can be made in a day or less.

• The 35 projects are fresh and modern and there are great ideas for making things pretty and practical.
• The mother and daughter team behind Sweetwater Designs also shows you how to incorporate simple, creative techniques for decorating with appliqué, stenciling, stamping, and embroidery.With
• Sweetwater’s inspiring designs, it’s easy to add expressive touches everywhere, from the dining room to the bedroom to the laundry room. Keep it simple and surround yourself with things you absolutely love.

Giveaway

Stash Books is giving away a copy of Sweetwater’s Simple Home to one lucky reader. To enter, leave a comment at the end of this post (by Sunday 12 Midnight Pacific time – Sept 25)  telling us what handmade treasure you would sew for your home.

We Have a Winner!

By Clarice Fox-Hughes

My daughters sat at the table surrounded by a sea of the most delightful books. They picked their favorite page and proceeded to sketch away. As we perused through each of Tasha Tudor’s books, we were drawn into a magical world. One of the things I loved about that day was my girls did not worry about making perfect sketches. For they knew Tasha would have told them, if she were there, to enjoy the moment. Not to copy her but to work from their hearts. Tasha’s message was loud and clear.

I remember that day and how Tasha Tudor’s death had inspired us to dedicate our afternoon tea to her and thus started Tasha Tudor Day. We wanted to take a moment to remember Tasha and how she inspired us to follow our hearts and to look for the blessings around us. Above all, she inspired us to be brave. To us Tasha is a hero of sorts because she lived her life on her terms. Granted it was a charming life full of corgis racing goats at the fair, dolls having tea parties, carving fierce and horrid pumpkin moonshines “as all true pumpkin moonshine should be” and birthday cakes floating down a stream. My girls know Tasha’s life was not always charming but she chose to see her life as charming.

This is the lesson we want to carry on. So on Tasha’s birthday, August 28th, we always celebrate Tasha Tudor Day. We put on our skirts (I think there is some unwritten rule somewhere that says you cannot wear pants on Tasha Tudor Day , make a pot of tea, sit in our garden looking at Tasha’s books and remember.

“Life isn’t long enough to do all you could accomplish. And what a privilege even to be alive. In spite of all the pollutions and horrors, how beautiful this world is. Supposing you only saw the stars once every year. Think what you would think. The wonder of it!” Tasha Tudor

For those who are not familiar with Tasha Tudor, she was a writer and illustrator of nearly 100 books. Her first book, Pumpkin Moonshine, was published in 1938. She went on to win many awards, including Caldecott Honors. Her work is celebrated around the world. Tasha lived in a beautiful home hand-built by her son Seth. It looks like a home that was built in the 1830’s, as this was her favorite period of history. It is now a museum. I invite you to come by Tasha’s family blog (Rookery Rambling), mine (Storybook Woods) or my co-host Suzanne’s (Blueberry Cottage) to celebrate Tasha.

Cover of Tasha Tudor’s favorite book: Corgiville Fair

Clarice Fox-Hughes, is the writer of Storybook Woods. Where she blogs about cooking, crafting and making the most of what she has. She also has written a baking book and a novel Wren Bay, based upon her blog, with 41 of her recipes.

I am so amazed at why Elizabeth Zimmermann’s publisher did not think it was such a hot idea to publish a book of patterns all with garter stitch, in 1972. Since her second book, Knitter’s Almanac, had many patterns with the Garter stitch, her publishers thought it best to put this idea “on ice”. Thirty nine years later, I am happy to receive a copy of this valuable book, which is a wealth of information, with beautiful designs for adults and children, and Elizabeth’s original journal entries, watercolors and drawings, and much more. The book includes a variety of easy and practical options for sweaters, coats, jackets, hats, mittens, gloves, vests, slippers, baby garments, and so on. Some of my favorites are the ……

This spiral is the top piece of the hat on the cover, knitted in gray.

Brimmed Hat – Panach: This hat looks a lot like Peter Pan’s hat and a feather would complete it! There is another photo in the book showing another angle.

There are several hats and bonnet patterns, including a sun hat.

Diamond-Back Bonnet, has a subtle design that makes it ultra unique, but is easy to knit for the beginner knitter.

Long Collared Jacket: If I ever make a long jacket, this pattern is all I need, for its fold-back collar and easy pockets. This is for me.

Ribbed Dirnal Top: This tight-waisted cardigan is design of a geneous, which is my dream to make for my daughter one day (unless I find my waist again!). With its silver buttons and round wide neck it is the perfect item in a woman’s wardrobe.

On the whole, this book is a must-have for anyone who loves knitting, and appreciates the beauty in simplicity. Although many of the designs look complicated at the first glance, reading through the instructions and well thought of illustrations in this book makes it easy.

For more information on this book click here to read what Clara Parkes says on her Knitter’s Review website.

Giveaway

Since I was not able to part with my copy of this book (death shall do us apart) the folks at Schoolhouse Press are offering a giveaway copy to the lucky winner. Please visit their website, and learn more about Elizabeth Zimmermann, Meg Swanson, and all the talented designers of the Schoolhouse Press. Please leave a comment here to enter drawing for the book until Midnight PST, Monday, May 23rd and the winner will be announced on Tuesday.

And The Winner is…

Sarah
Submitted on 2011/05/20 at 8:31 am
I would love to be entered for this giveaway. I love knitting and Zimmerman patterns are always the best!

My love of books was stretched a notch when I received this book as a gift from my husband, who came back from London last week, just in time to celebrate the anniversary of our first meeting years ago (which he had me at hello, I might add). This small cloth-covered book is full of treasures in words and images. With gold lettering and rounded corners, it was first published in 1903 and is now reprinted with the same integrity and quality. If you love Elsa Beskow’s storybook, The Flower Festival for your children, you will love this book for just you! Following are a few images for peeking:

each page is filled with a new detail and wonderful surprise

the back cover is as lovely

she has found her prince

Elsa Beskow’s book is a feast for the eye for children of all ages.

This poster was designed by the British government during the war to encourage people, but is useful at any time of stress!

Giveaway

Our giveaway today is a copy of Elsa Beskow’s Flower Festival in the original size hard cover version, AND this delightful collection of three fairy dolls from Bella Luna Toys:

The value of this giveaway package which includes all three dolls and the book, is $78. To enter the drawing for a chance to receive them please leave a comment telling us what you love about Bella Luna Toys. Deadline for entering is Friday, May 20th at Midnight Pacific Time.

And the Winner is….

A Knitter’s Home Companion
A Heartwarming Collection of Stories, Patterns, and Recipes
by Michelle Edwards
photographs by Jen Gotch
(STC Craft Melanie Falick Books)
Available March 2011

A Knitter’s Home Companion offers cheerful and inspiring stories on knitting and knitters, and leads you through a path to help you discover your own. The journey includes many scenic routes: Michelle’s sincere style of storytelling, her pretty color illustrations, as well as simple and beautiful patterns and even recipes like Mitten Ladies Slow Cookers Soup.

Evolving through handwork, and specifically knitting, is what this book about. It goes beyond pearls of wisdom and delights and surprises with many extra treasures. Michelle Edwards, the voice of Lion Brand Yarn’s monthly e-newsletter, knows knitting, but more importantly, she knows knitters. The inspiring stories in this book will appeal to readers interested in not only stitches, yarn, and patterns, but also in the lessons that can be learned from their craft. “Let this book keep you company when you need another knitter’s voice beside you,” Edwards writes in her introduction.

Following are some of the pretty visuals and knitting projects in the book:

Book and Knitting Kit Giveaway

Today’s giveaway is sponsored by STC Craft and Lion Brand Yarn. It includes a copy of A Knitter’s Home Companion, as well as 3 knitting kits (all with organic wool yarn) as follows:

Babette Baby Coat Knit Kit

and

Portland Cardigan Knit Kit

and

Classic Cables Scarf Knit Kit

To enter drawing for above giveaways, valued at $150, please leave a comment here by Sunday, February 13, 2011, 8 p.m. EST. Winner will be announced on Monday.

And the winner is…

Dear Linda,

Why must you make such beautiful projects to make us want to cut corners from our vacation or lunch money so we could buy your book? It’s not fair!

That’s how I would start my letter to Linda, who has come up with the most unique crochet desgins for babies and children. If you have already overspent your book budget for this year, you must run to the library and request that they purchase this book for you and your community [along with a subscription to Living Crafts magazine of course]:

Little Crochet
Modern Designs for Babies and Toddlers – Available April 5, 2011
by Linda Permann (Potter Craft)

If you love crochet, but are always thirsty for more happy, stylish designs that are fun, but still practical and useful, Linda Permann as all the patterns you want for babies and toddlers, all in this one book!

Linda, author of Crochet Adorned has a proven track record crochet is not just for great grannies, but for modern moms and grannies. This book, along with Crochet Adorned are two of my top favorite crochet books.

Full review in the upcoming Spring 2011 issue of Living Crafts.

Just a few months ago, I received this wonderful children’s storybook, written by Joanna Johnson and beautifully illustrated by her husband Eric Johnson, and towards the end I found knitting patterns for Phoebe’s Sweater and Phoebe Mouse from the story’s characters. I loved the idea of knitting something for a child to match the characters from a book. Phoebe’s Sweater was reviewed in the Fall 2010 issue of Living Crafts magazine: “This delightful story is about a child adjusting to the idea of a new sibling, and the assurance she receives from her parents about how much they love and cherish her. Her mother knits her a sweater while still pregnant with the baby. At the end of the book there are instructions for Phoebe the mouse, a child’s cardigan, matching with a doll cardigan, which, in the story, Phoebe the mouse wears. This book is a treasure for both the illustrated story, as well as the beautiful me-and-my-doll cardigan pattern.” The charming illustrations do not disappoint – they provide rich detail.

And the eager imagination of a young child will find much to consider. Phoebe’s Sweater is a seamless knit that comes together very quickly in bulky weight superwash yarn.

Instructions include a pattern for this sweet seamless doll and a matching doll sweater, too! Now, I am thrilled to have received Joanna and Eric’s second book, Freddie’s Blanket, which is just as charming.

The Johnson’s new book follows a similar idea of including knitting patterns with a storybook (much like Living Crafts’ Craft a Story column), but introduces a new family of characters and unfolds the tale of a young boy who has trouble staying in his own bed at night. A certain hand knit blanket is always at his side! The illustrations are just as lovely as in the first book. And offer much for children and parents to talk about while reading together. Five new knitting patterns accompany the story, including the darling Baby Envelope Blanket. Also, the cute knitted coveralls even have a pattern for a toy knitted hammer! And of course, there is another adorable seamless toy. There is also a pattern for Freddie’s sister, May, in a sweet violet dress.

Signed Books and Yarn Giveaway

Today we are offering a very special gift from Joanna and Eric at Slate Falls Press, and from our friends at Brown Sheep Company. Included in the giveaway are a copy of each of these two books, signed by the author and illustrator, as well as a generous collection of Brown Sheep Company yarn. There are 11 skeins of Lamb’s Pride Superwash Bulky, in Mint Cream, which is enough to knit the largest size Phoebe’s Sweater as well as the matching doll sweater. Also, the winner will receive 4 skeins of Serendipity Tweed in Colorado Columbine, which is enough to knit the largest size Freddie’s Coveralls as well as the matching toy coveralls. This wonderful giveaway is valued at $180.00. Just leave a comment to this post to enter the Giveaway. Comments will be open until Sunday (January 30, 2011) 8 p.m. EST.

And the winner is…

This grand book, rich with content and visuals, reviewed in our Winter 2011 issue currently on sale, is one of the most important knitting books of the decade. Here’s the review, excerpted from the same issue:

Diagonal Knitting: A Different Slant (Schoolhouse Press)
by Katharine Cobey

In the old days books were published when someone had something really important to say, something with a purpose that could shake things up. This treasure of a book goes beyond patterns. It is a work of art. It explores diagonal knitting from the core, with beautiful photography and illustrations on every page. With great technique, rich history, and visuals, this book is sure to become an American classic. It is a unique textbook with a purpose, making you wish it was printed in hard cover.

Here are some photos from the book:

This is one of my favorite photos, Katharine Cobey modeling her own creation

Also, click here for an in-depth review of the book, along with a bio on Katherine Cobey, by Knitter’s Review.

Please leave a comment here to enter drawing. Comments will close Monday, January 3rd, 8:00 p.m. EST and the winner announced the following morning.

Happy New Year!

Update: The winner is Kathy and her comment follows:

I have been knitting for 50 years and would love a book like this! It is a “WOW”!