A couple weeks ago Mary Lou Egan asked if I'd like to review her new book, Drop-Dead Easy Knits. First and foremost, I was flattered that she was willing to share this with me. She's a real designer!! Her patterns are always lovely. She co-authored this book with Gale Zucker (photographer extraordinaire; I've taken one of her on-line classes!! eep. another brush with fame!) and Kirsten Kapur (oh, Lordy, how many of her patterns have I knit over the years?!?) I've hit the tri-fecta of knitting.
Sight unseen, the one thing that had me just a wee bit hesitant was the title of the book...Drop-Dead EASY Knits. I figured this was going to be another beginner-knits book. Yep, judging a book by it's title....and my (uninformed) interpretation of that title.
I know it sounds really snobbish that I was ready to pooh-pooh an easy knits beginner book, but I've been knitting a very long long long long time and am by no means a beginner. I've knit so long that I've almost come 'full circle'. I can knit just about anything...yep, I've done a Kaffe Fassett. I've knit an Alice Starmore. I've knit huge blankets and I've knit miniature with 00000 needles. Even though I CAN knit that kind of project, it's not the kind of thing I'm usually looking for now. I want something classic, with a great 'drop-dead-gorgeous' look....but mindless. HMMMMMM. I guess you could say....Drop-Dead Easy.
OMG! They wrote a book for ME! As I read the introduction...and then every-single-word-in-this-entire-book-in-a-single-sitting-including-all-the-directions-for-every-single-pattern (and there are a whopping 29 of them)!!!!!!! I felt like I was in the middle of their conversation. They talked about how they need their knitting...during the 'waiting times', the 'traveling times', the 'relaxing/social/bottle-of-wine-with-friends' times.
(And to make this feel even more like 'my book', the idea was conceived in Maine, my favorite place in the world to be, but I guess that's not really a reason to love a book, but I'm counting it.)
In this book you will find baby patterns (Bursting with Joy), patterns to get you through frustrations (Family Entanglements), portable ones (the Waiting Game) and beach knitting (NO Sheep at the Shore....how did they KNOW that I love the beach almost as much as I love Maine?? These people are IN-MY- HEAD!!!)
They have invited some of their designer friends to contribute patterns...with all the same stringent 'requirements'...that they be drop-dead gorgeous, yet easy. Yes. I feel most beginners could manage these patterns because they are meticulously written. But, for the experienced knitter, you can cheerfully blast mindlessly through them because they have added a brilliant 'concentration zone' alert where you should slow down a bit, at least to check the directions. (This is certainly going to save ME a bit of tinking when I'm in my 'smarty-pants-know-it-all' mode. who me?)
I found a few things I want to knit. (Don't you love understatement?)
And then I had a cast-on party...I'm actually still in the middle of it. (see that swans island gold? it's going to grow up to be Kirsten's abide shawl! squeeeee!!!) Care to join me?
Really. I'm serious. If you'd like a chance to win a copy of this amazing book, leave me a comment here. I'll pick a winner next Friday. Want another chance to win??? Follow me on instagram (woolythyme1) and leave a comment there. I'll combine all the entries.
Oh yes! I think I need this book. Thanks for the draw and the review.
Posted by: Juliann | 11/04/2016 at 09:28 AM
I'd love a copy. Thanks for hosting the raffle! PS-the plum and mauve are gorgeous together!
Posted by: sara | 11/04/2016 at 09:32 AM
I read a review of this book somewhere recently, and bought myself a copy. It is a real keeper, I have to say. :-)
Posted by: Bridget | 11/04/2016 at 10:14 AM
Book looks wonderful!
Posted by: valerie | 11/04/2016 at 10:18 AM
Put me in the drawing, please. Not that I need another knitting book, but this looks interesting, and I trust your opinion.
Posted by: Adele | 11/04/2016 at 10:50 AM
You have me excited now, too! Would love the chance for a copy of this book.
Posted by: Cynthia | 11/04/2016 at 10:55 AM
I saw this book at Rhinebeck and met the authors, so great to be there ! I would love to win this!
Posted by: Carol | 11/04/2016 at 11:11 AM
Oh my!! Even the front of the book looks fun, inviting and interesting. The colours you have cast on are wonderful and I checked out the abide shawl for the gold isn't that a classy wrap. Good luck don't forget to keep us posted. Keep the ball bands away from Freddy.
Posted by: Jacqueline Webb | 11/04/2016 at 11:20 AM
Looks like a great book, I'd love to win a copy
Posted by: Jackie | 11/04/2016 at 11:34 AM
Ooooh! I'm always on the lookout for simplicity! Thanks for the opportunity!
Posted by: Mallory | 11/04/2016 at 11:51 AM
Awwwww. I'm blushing. You are too kind!
Posted by: Mary Lou | 11/04/2016 at 11:55 AM
Thank you so much for this review--you TOTALLY get us. Making a book with talented friends was a joy, and having knitters appreciate and really get what we were trying to do is even better.
Posted by: gale zucker/she shoots sheep shots | 11/04/2016 at 12:43 PM
I have found in recent years that I like simple patterns - ones that highlight the yarn and allow me to read or socialize while knitting. Thanks for the review and the opportunity to win a copy!
Posted by: karen | 11/04/2016 at 12:59 PM
Pick me (please)! Looks like a wonderful book with great patterns, just right for me (a beginner, but ready to stretch my knitting wings). Thanks for the review and opportunity.
Posted by: Flora Mae | 11/04/2016 at 01:17 PM
I've heard about this book from a couple of my other chix-with-stix friends, and I love your review. Will keep fingers crossed that I get a peek at this book soon.
Posted by: Cathy Neri | 11/04/2016 at 01:45 PM
Oh I will joint you in a little KAL of Abide. When is cast on day? I absolutely love the book as much as you do!!
Posted by: AsKatKnits | 11/04/2016 at 01:48 PM
I have absolutely no control!! I just wound the yarn and am casting on.....RIGHT NOW!!!! Do you have your yarn?
Posted by: steph@woolythyme | 11/04/2016 at 02:56 PM
I think I need this book! Thanks for the giveaway.
Posted by: Karen | 11/04/2016 at 03:19 PM
That books sounds wonderful. I'd put a copy to good use!
Posted by: Michelle B. | 11/04/2016 at 04:18 PM
Knitting gives me so much! Thank you for this offer to win and the good review.
Posted by: Shirley | 11/04/2016 at 05:08 PM
You be a snob....never, it is not you nor has it ever been.
It would be nice to win this book.
Did Freddy have an opinion.
Posted by: Leandra Walker | 11/04/2016 at 05:40 PM
Wow Abide is a beautiful shawl! I peeked on Ravelry at the rest of the projects in this book, and they are all so lovely. Thank you for a chance to win this book! Abide is now on my to knit list.
Posted by: Julie M. | 11/04/2016 at 06:19 PM
Oh My Goodness - love, love, love the book. I don't see a single pattern I wouldn't knit. Thank you so much for the giveaway.
Posted by: Melissa | 11/04/2016 at 07:44 PM
Yours is the third review I've read about this book,and all are glowing. It would be a blessing to me to win.
Posted by: Debbie Kuppusamy | 11/04/2016 at 10:53 PM
That book has just about everything except the yarn. Gorgeous patterns. Thanks for the opportunity to put my name in to win a copy!
Posted by: Kay | 11/05/2016 at 01:48 AM