books vs ravelry?...and a giveaway

When was the last time you looked to your knitting books for inspiration before clicking around in Ravelry?  Yeah.  Me, too.

I've vowed to change that.  (I make a lot of vows I don't keep, so don't hold me to this!!!) My last book purge turned into a browsing spree and I discovered so many wonderful patterns I had totally forgotten.  They were at one time or another on the 'I-have-to-cast-this-on-immediately' list or in the 'I-must-make-this-NOW' queue. Somehow they got buried. 

 

Knit Local was one such book.

There are actually some patterns 'out there' that are only available in their books. The Scandinavian hat is one of them--a great, quick hat, knit using dk yarn.  In this case, mystery stuff from the stash---the ivory was obviously alpaca but the red I think was supposed to be mitts for a grand who changed her mind about colour before I got them made. The two worked well together.

The hat is ever so slightly oversized...which I've found helps to control hat-head syndrome...

(I obviously don't do selfies)

and the deep ribbed brim can be doubled over to accommodate smaller beings...

 

Every book I own was bought for a reason.  Sometimes, even two or three!  So...my new self-imposed 'rule':

I will always have at least one project on the needles from a book I already own.

I have choices.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *  

Anyone want to join me?  We can start a book club!!!

To aid and abet....now that I've knit the reason I purchased this book, I'm having a little giveaway.  To enter the drawing for Local Knits just leave a comment here or on Instagram @woolythyme1 with a way for me to contact you!!!  Giveaway will end August 14th (the day I started blogging.....5 years ago!!!)

Comments

[Amber]

Freddy is rocking that hat! (oh yeah, you too!)

[Vickie Robertson]

I feel the same way. Anytime I do look through my books I find so many wonderful things I want to knit. Maybe I should try this too...but don't hold me to it either!

[Jacqueline Webb]

Hey what a great idea. I never thought of using my dogs as models for hats. I'll have to try it as I don't do selfies either.

[AsKatKnits]

I love this idea, I have a large volume of books as well - but my go to is usually Ravelry! And, Freddy looks so perfect in that hat! XO

[Maggie B.]

Aww, a particularly good picture of Freddy today. Love the hat!

[Adele]

I really shouldn't enter this, because I probably have as many knitting books as you do, BUT I don't have that one.

[Andrea Lain]

I have almost as much trouble buying books as with buying yarn! The hat is lovely, and the book looks well worth having :)

[Kat]

I really need to go through my knitting library and make sure I've added all my books and magazines on Ravelry. I love flipping through my books for inspiration, but when I'm looking for the right pattern, it's so handy to be able to go and browse on Ravelry through all the patterns in my library.

[Bridget]

Sign me up to join you - I have been seriously considering the same thing. I love my books, but I forget they are there. And I like physical patterns and color photos - I don't have a color printer, so a lot can get lost when I print a PDF.

Freddy is quite the dashing hat model, btw. (I love that hat.)

P.S. I'm on Ravelry as thekittyknitter

[Nancy]

Would love to have the pattern for this hat. I have been looking for something to go with my red winter coat and this is perfect.

Nancy L

[emma]

I have tried to put all my books into my ravelry library, I am often suprised when I make pattern searches I find I have the pattern already in one of my books!
Congratulations on 5 years blogging x
emma1969 on rav

[Katrine]

I love your (and Freddy's) hat! You can whip up a project faster than anyone I ever saw. Hope you are holding out in all the heat - I'm going to try to find my knitting books in a box somewhere since we moved. Had almost forgotten about them! Thanks for reminding me! Happy day, k

[Amy C]

Oh yes! I've added every book I can to my Ravelry library, noting that it's a paper copy, not digital, but it isn't always possible. We recently moved house from a large Victorian to a small cabin on an island, so I HAD to purge - a lot. Now I'm determined to appreciate the paper copies I have and not let them become invisible.
I'm k1teach2 on Ravelry and I'd love a chance to win Local Knits.
Congrats on 5 years of blogging!!

[craftyone]

I have yet to change colors since I stared knitting this year. This book would be a great opportunity.

[Karen]

Happy anniversary baby!!! Love to Freddy :)

[Jennifer]

Looks like a fun book, and your give away is on my birthday. Love little Freddy!

[Laura]

Happy blogiversary! Yours is always a happy place to visit : )

[Andrea @ This Knitted Life]

I only have a few books but I do use them. I prefer to check them out from the library as they are published as to avoid clutter. I hear ya, though. I have this issue with cookbooks also.

[Tahnee]

I have to say I only have a few knitting books, but I've hardly knit anything from them. Such a shame! Same like you I bought them because there were projects in there that had to be cast on RIGHT THIS SECOND, and then never happened.

[Laura]

I married a Scandinavian! I have to make that hat 😍

[Eilenn]

Love your blog and Happy Anniversary in Blog Land.

[Cathy]

This looks like a wonderful book!

[Mallory]

This is a great idea! I need to go through my pattern books more often...especially now that I have a copier and can make copies of the pattern for my knitting bags!

[MelissaPurls]

Five years?! Wow! Congratulations!

[Claire]

Congrats! love that hat. Actually knitting an ipad cover with the same pattern right now!