Big Change, Big Contest
Big Change
First, the announcement!
I'd like to welcome my sister, Loosely Knit (aka Laura), to the blog!
The universe alligned in such a way that this change seemed to be the perfect, inevitable step.
(1) I have a Big Girl Job, and don't have enough time to spend in the blogosphere anymore
(2) I taught my sister how to knit this summer, and she's a pro already
(3) My sister joined ravelry, and needed a screenname. A quick search told me that "looselyknit" was not taken (I'm "tightlywound" on rav)
And To Celebrate (and a flagrant attempt to get new readers) - A BIG Contest
I agonized over this for awhile. What to offer as the perfect prize? How to choose the winner?
In the end, I'm going for the easy "leave a comment to enter" route. Since we're nearing the big V-day, it's a lovey dovey theme. In your comment, just tell me:
1. Your most loved handknit (made by you or someone else)
2. The thing you've most loved knitting (whether or not you loved the finished piece)
I'll also ask that you do one other thing. We're going on the honor system here. If you're on Ravelry, go favorite something that you love that is made by a stranger-to-you and leave a comment for the person telling them why you love their knit. If you're not on Rav, leave a comment for a new-to-you knit blogger.
Let's spread the LOVE!
Now, the important part - THE PRIZE
In asking knittings what they really wanted (for blog prize purposes), I realized that we all love different things. Also, half of the fun is picking out the things that YOU love.
So, in that vein, I've decided that the prize will be:
a $100 gift certificate to your LYS!
I'll contact the winner to find out their preferred LYS. If you'd like, you can split the dollar amount between places, including online vendors (as long as they offer gift certificates).
So, go get that cashmere you've been drooling on for months. Buy the sock blockers you never treat yourself to. Finally make a Clapotis out of the real-deal Lion and Lamb. Stop using that lampshade as a swift. Or buy a sweater's worth of your favorite!
Love the yarny goodness!
Okay kiddos, go tell your friends.
Fine print:
Contest ends Friday, Feb. 15
Sorry Mom - in the interest of fairness, you cannot win
Winner will be chosen by a random number generator or by my boyfriend picking names out of a hat (depending on number of entries, and my boyfriend's agreeability next weekend).
ETA: dudes, crochet totally counts. We don't discriminate 'round here (on purpose). So when I say "handknit," I mean handcrafted with yarn ;-)
posted by Janet @ 10:25 AM
45 comments
45 Comments:
1. Your most loved handknit (made by you or someone else)
I most love my first fair isle socks. The pattern was way over my head, but I kept going and they are now the BEST EVER! I'm wearing them today, in fact!
2. The thing you've most loved knitting (whether or not you loved the finished piece)
I LOVED knitting Monkey socks for my mother in law this Christmas. For some reason, that was the most enjoyable knit EVER for me.
what a fun contest!!
my favorite handknit tends to be one of the things currently on my needles :) but probably of everything, my favorite would be the kingfisher capelet i made for my friend karen to comfort her after the death of her husband from cancer. with every stitch, i thought of her and her family, and the pattern designer, who'd read my story about why i was making it, contacted the maker of the (very luxurious fiber) used in the pattern and they *donated* the yarn for me to make it. it felt like such a collaborative act of compassion and love. and the finished product is lovely (note to self: photograph it!).
2. the kingfisher capelet was a labor of love, but i also felt very rewarded by making a prayer shawl for my friend beth, who miscarried twins and was grieving terribly for them. i designed the shawl specially for her and every pattern motif symbolized something: daisy stitches to represent the twins, a border of seed stitch to represent fertility as she and her husband tried again to conceive (which they did--expecting in late may), a field of stockinette to represent smooth sailing, a field of reverse stockinette to represent bumpy roads, two cables to represent her and her husband and their forever-intertwined lives, and a strong, straight line up the middle to represent their family's strength and stability during their difficult time.
both of these items are in my projects page, though i do need to photograph karen's cape. now i'll go favorite something--i love this contest!!
1. Your most loved handknit (made by you or someone else)
* Peach Regal Silk Clapotis
2. The thing you've most loved knitting (whether or not you loved the finished piece)
* Vanile sweater for Dh - it was the perfect color/size/style/etc
What a great contest!!!!
1. My most loved hand knit (which was actually crocheted... hope that counts)is a baby blanket my 17 year old sister made me for Christmas-- I do not have a baby and will not anytime soon, but she wanted to be the first to give me a baby blanket.
2. I've only been knitting since November, so there's not a lot to choose from, but I am working with cables for the first time on a scarf for my Mom and I'm really loving knitting it.
Congrats on having your sister aboard! I taught my sister to knit when I was home for Christmas and she's loving it too!
WOW- Most awesome contest EVER!!!
1. My mittens- hand knit by Amy- for me for Pay It Forward- they are just lovely- and bright! They are here: http://www.ravelry.com/projects/DeathByYarn/chevalier-mittens
2. The thing that I've loved knitting the most is my wedding shrug that I'm knitting right now. No insult to Malabrigo- I love it- but, Singularity in Silk is AMAZINGLY soft. I want to roll in it... in by birthday suit!
Off to "favorite" someone's FO.
By the way, I recently taught my sister to knit, and yesterday she got her Ravelry invite! Yeah for sister-knitters!
1. My most loved handknit was the baby blu jeans I knit for my friend's baby. They came out beautifully and I was able to embroider his initials on the pocket. It was so much fun!
2. Hmm, I really loved knitting the first caplet I made. One because it was a Rowan pattern and I liked their work and it was my first attempt at cables. I worked all night on it and wore it the next day!
I want to say thank you for encouraging us to reflect on why we love knitting and also to encourage the work of others. The one thing I like about ravelry is being able to view the work of the others, to see their body of work collectively is very interesting and you get to learn alot about someone. Thank you!
This IS a fun contest, and congratulations on adding your sister to your blog :) My sister and I have truly enjoyed our collaborative blogging, and I'm betting ya'll will as well. Now on to my answers:
1) My most loved handknit: Does crochet count? If it does, then my beach-themed felted tote. I had a vision of what I wanted, I created it from scratch, and I loved it so much it was hard to send it to my swap partner. If crochet DOESN'T count, then the knitted scarf made for me by the disabled child of a coworker; I taught her to knit, it was her first project, and I wear it proudly.
2) The thing I've most loved knitting: Hands down the Touch of Whimsy scarf. I'm a relatively new knitter and this beautiful scarf incorporates both a cable and a little lace. It made me feel like a Real Knitter when I successfully knit it, and when I knit it for the second time in Malabrigo? Knitting heaven.
And now to go leave someone a kind comment (what a nice thing for you to send people off to do). Plus, it'll be easy; there are so many beautiful things on Ravelry!
My most beloved handknit is Mr. Greenjeans done in Malabrigo. It was my first sweater and my first time with Malabrigo and I adore both. The thing I most loved knitting was the drop stitch scarf also done in Malabrigo that my husband confiscated. The scarf was a joy to knit not only because of the Malabrigo, but because the pattern was so cool to do.
Thanks for the contest. I'm in the 'Burg too!
1. My most loved hand-knit is actually a crochet, an afghan my grandma made for me and gave to me when I graduated college, shortly after my grandfather passed away. I could be juxtaposing this with another story, but I remember her saying to me "I'm so proud of you and your Pap would be too." I think of both of them every time I cuddle up in that afghan.
2. Most loved knitting is probably the Thuja inspired socks I'm making for my DH out of DIC Classy. THe only reason I won't love them as much when they're finished is that they're not going to me.
My most loved handknit: I have this giant cream shawl collar cardigan that I stole from a friend.
What I loved knitting the most: My first fair isle piece (one of the 3 tams from Knitty). It was so much fun even though I screwed it up and it looked so silly on me. I found it a proper home.
I'm on Ravelry and I have done my favouriting/commenting duty.
FUN CONTEST!!
:)
1. My most loved and used handknit is the first wool scarf I made. It is so cozy!
2. I love knitting basic hats the most. They go by so quick and make great gifts for my family and friends.
This is a great contest. I just found your blog for the 20's knitters group on ravelry and I am very excited.
Welcome to your sister! It's perfect that your Rav names go together!
1. My most loved handknit is my Clapotis made out of Noro Silk Garden. I wear it constantly!
2. The things I loved knitting the most is probably my Monkey Socks from Sunshine Yarns Field of Flowers sock yarn. Every stitch brought a new color and I just would marvel at the wonderfulness!
Lori (yarnbeans on Ravelry)
yarnbeans.typepad.com
Welcome Laura! I just friended you on Ravelry :)
This is such an awesome contest and an awesome prize woohoo!
Okay let's see...
1. My most loved handknit would have to be the Bird in hand mittens (http://kathrynivy.com/news/162/57/) I made my grandmother. I wasn't able to see her reaction but I heard that she was so excited and impressed with them, and shows them off all the time.
2.The handknit I loved knitting the most... it is SO hard to say. I loved knitting the Tomten Jacket (http://kathrynivy.com/news/123/57/) that I knit Camdyn. I loved how EZ's instructions just kinda click.
I'm definitely in a favoriting mood so I'm off to Ravelry right now.
Alice @ http://kathrynivy.com
AliceKathryn on Ravelry
My most loved handknit made by me was the one I just finished Iam on my blog wearing it The Forest Shoulder Canopy Shawl this is my first shawl;) and is also the thing I most loved knitting I felt sad when I was done knitting ii.I felt so happy as I knitted it:) Valentines Day is I and my Husbands 4th wedding Anniversary and since we are both knitters if I win I will split the $100 50/50 with him:)Thankyou for having this contest.Huggers Darcy
1. Your most loved handknit (made by you or someone else)
The first thing I made for myself after several years of giving everything away - the Convertible pattern on Knitty.com. I used SWTC bamboo and it is such a soft, lovely, easy to wear piece. Plus it was my first lace and I impressed myself by completing it. I get at least once compliment each time I wear it.
2. The thing you've most loved knitting (whether or not you loved the finished piece)
I made a small heart shaped cachet for my mom. It was constructed out of connected, mitered squares. I enjoyed the logic of the pattern. I also knew how much my mom would love it, even without knowing what went into making such a tiny object.
Oh, fun. Will both of you be posting now?
1. I think my most loved handknit is my arisaig sweater. It is so warm and cosy and is made from alpaca, yum alpaca.
2. It's hard to choose what I loved knitting the most. I did love the latest sockapalooza socka that I made. It was so fun to see the colors come together and they had such pretty cable-ly bits.
Ok, now it's time to spread the love on ravelry.
This totally makes me want a sister.
(1) My most beloved handknit is this enormous green sweater my mom made for me. I posted about it here (http://sassybuster.blogspot.com/2007/03/sweater.html).
I wear it constantly at home. I just wish it was a little bit more stylish so I could wear it in public.
(2) The thing I loved knitting most was a pair of socks for one of my dearest friends. She asked for them so I know she'll wear them and be glad to get them. The pattern was great fun to knit and they went really quickly. No second sock syndrome with them.
And I'm off to ravelry to favorite stuff.
Found you through Ravelry (20Spot)- great idea for a contest!
1. The second pair of socks I knit, out of Wool Ease, tightly knit on US 2s, for my boyfriend. He wears them practically every night and tells me how much he loves them. 100% success.
2. I loved knitting my chevron socks (fake jaywalkers)- I used self-striping yarn and the color changes were exciting, as was the zigzagging of the pattern.
holy bananas, what a prize!! you're going to break the world record for comments on a post.
1. My most loved handknit are my mirror image Pomatomus socks. I rarely wear them, but they were such an accomplishment for me to engineer.
2. I loved knitting the Shocking Skirt. So easy and mindless, but such a great reward!
I'm looking forward to the new voice on your blog. And I'll be poking around Ravelry tonight!
hey girly!
and hello Laura! I taught my sister to knit last year, its so fun!!!
Okay, my favorite handknit...the hat my sister knit me for christmas, its Odessa with the beading and it was the most challenging thing she had ever knit...so, it meant a TON to me that she did it for me...
And, my most loved knitting project? My first sweater, which I finished about 2 weeks ago. Its Wicked and knit from Karabella Aurora 8, easily one of my favorite yarns ever. No photos yet, because its hard to take a photo of yourself in a sweater. :)
Off to Ravel and favorite!
1. My most loved handknit would have to be the handknit blanket my Stitches East friend made for my baby girl.
2. The thing I most loved knitting was my miracle baby's baptismal gown. It was a very long and involved project, but one that will be passed down for generations.
How great that you and your sister are sharing such a wonderful hobby!
1. I made a knitted sock monkey for one of my closest friends and it was an enormous secret that I hid from her for MONTHS and then I could finally send it to her. And it was a challenging project for me as well, so that made the making of it even better.
2. My clapotis. The Lion and Lamb was so soft and felt so good slipping through my addi Turbos. Plus I knit it while watching the Winter Olympics and learned to love curling at the same time.
Yay! What a great contest!
1. I love my Rusted Root - my first wearable sweater. It was easy, I got to use O-Wool Balance in green, which is so beautiful. :)
2. I really enjoyed the Simply Ginny Sock pattern I found on Ravelry. I knitted them over 2 days on Christmas vacation, and even though they turned out a bit big, they were just really fun.
This comment has been removed by the author.
1 - My most loved handknit item would have to be my husband's gator mittens - not only because they keep his toasty warm but because he's such a kid when he is wearing them and I love that our girls like them too.
2 - my most loved knit is my Simple Knitted Bodice. Even with the lace inset being a bit slow, it is a beautiful pattern with beautiful results, and though I mostly knitted one, frogged the entirety of it and just today finished the second, I am contemplating making it again in a different color because I love the pattern that much.
3 - off to rifle through Ravelry, tough I did recently favorite a few projects I haven't commented on any in the last few days.
First: welcome, Laura!
Second, my answers:
1) A sweater my grandma made for me when I was about six. It was variegated neon acrylic, and I would not even consider wearing anything like that now, but at that age I loved it and I wore it until it almost fell apart. I think my mom still has it somewhere.
2) My first pair of socks. I was using a yarn that I didn't especially like, so I wasn't thrilled with the finished product, but they were the first project that really made me feel like a knitter.
I am off to go find a new favourite on Ravelry.
1. Your most loved handknit (made by you or someone else)
My most loved handknit was a beaded knit pendant bag that I made quite some while ago... back in 96. You can see it here (http://www.geocities.com/with_my_needle/beadknit1.html) It's called Smokey. I loved knitting it as well as wearing it - I thought it was just so awesome and the fact that I had bought the topaz in Korea made it even more special. A few years back on a trip up to Jacksonville, I lost it. We were nearly half way home (Jax is about 3 hours away) and DH insisted that we go back to try and look for it. He knew how special it was to me - and it sure proved how special he is as well! I never did find it, but hope that who ever did will cherish it as much as I did!
2. The thing you've most loved knitting (whether or not you loved the finished piece)
That's a little tougher - it's a toss up between a set of beaded knit pendat bags I made. I love making those babies - and have made them for many of my friends. One day I realized I had not made one for a dear friend, Margarita. Margarita had inherited a needlework stash from a mutual friend, Peggy. Peggy was older, maybe in her early 70's and a wonderfully warm and delightful lady. We lost her quite unexpectedly after complications with surgery. Marg picked out a several colors of beads that had been passed to her in Peggy's estate and I was going to make a "bead soup" (it's where you mix the colors all together) and knit them into a bag for. Best laid plans you know how that goes! Several months passed, and I had her bag done, but just had not gotten to the strap. Marg calls me up and asks me if I'd like to join her for lunch to celebrate Peggy's birthday - and it came to me! I finished Marg's bag, made one for Peggy's daughter, and myself and gave them out as "presents". It was a good cry! :-)
This past fall I made my very first cardigan, closely followed by my second cardi. It was for my six year old granddaughter with a matching one for her American girl doll!
1) My Slouchy Cardigan is my most loved hand knit I wear it all the time
2)the thing I most loved knitting was a "womb" from Knitty.com - I made it for my mom to have in the hospital while she was haveing surgery for ovarian cancer, she thought it was a hoot-a real converstaion piece for the nurses & doctors
This comment has been removed by the author.
1) Your most loved handknit?
My most loved handknit is a scarf that I made using a stitch pattern book. I used the Faux Cable Eyelet pattern and put ribbing in between each faux cable and then put fringe on the end. It is made out of Malabrigo Merino Worsted.
2)The thing you've most loved knitting.
I actually haven't finished knitting the thing that I have loved the most. I am in the process of knitting a pair of Monkey socks and have not been able to put them down they are the second pair of socks I have made. If I can't pick something that is currently a WIP I would have to pick my first pair of socks that I made even though they came out to big.
I also just wanted to mention that I will be away from the 15th to the 25th of February and won't have access to a computer so if I win I won't be able to get back to you until the 25th or 26th of February about any information you need for the contest.
1. Most loved handknit - My Knitting Pure & Simple cardigan knit with dark charcoal Brown Sheep worsted. I just love wearing that sweater (even though it is now too big for me). I feel as if I am hugging myself.
2. Most enjoyable knitting project - The socks I knit using Fleece Artist merino wool sock yarn in the Ruby color way. I just loved the color so much. It was not a complex or challenging pattern. They were the first pair of socks I made where it felt completely comfortable making them.
Have fun blogging together!
1. Most loved handknit-- Dale Baby Ull cabled pullover for my toddler. He wears it all the time and I am always happy to see him in it.
2. Most loved knitting-- hats out of scraps, so fun to see how lovely mixing things up can be.
1. My most loved handknit is a pink cardigan my mom made me when I was a teenager. I learned to knit from her but didn't pursue it fully until after her death -- I love how she still speaks to me through her work.
2. I most loved knitting a wee tiny sock for an online friend's imaginary homicidal hamster. I sent it complete with a new wee tiny (non-knit) chainsaw for Christmas.
1. My most loved hand knit is the "Jarrod" sweater I made for the significant other. Every time he wears it I feel so happy...
2. My favorite thing to knit was a Bella Blouse. It was so pretty off and so terribly hideous on. On me, that is. It was perfectly lovely on my neighbor, who now owns it.
Happy blogging Looselyknit!
My most loved handknits are the hand knit socks made for me by my friend Jen C and Ghislaine, they are the best
The thing I loved knitting the most was the Vogue Ridge Coat that I was commissioned by Elann.com to knit featuring their silky tweed yarn and is on their website
Off to Ravely
1. most loved handknit: my favorite to date is my first scarf i ever made: 6sts wide garter stitch with big red block and big white blocks on either end.
2. the thing you most loved knitting: my first danica scarf - i loved learning such an awsome skill, and knowing i could make something that looked so elaborate, so easily.
great questions! thanks for the contest (i'm off to favorite something now!
1.) My most loved Item is my monkey socks I made for my sister... you can see a picture Here: http://confessionsofaknitter.blogspot.com/2008/01/socks.html.... I made them out of Knitpicks Essential Peacock colorway.
2.)The thing I most love knitting would be any socks... I LOVE knitting sokcs.
1. My most loved handknit is whatever my MIL has last made for my daughters. Her work is both prolific and perfect,and she puts me to shame. Every piece she makes, I love even more than the last.
2. The thing I most loved knitting was the swatch I made during a colour-work class taught by Brandon Mably. The class was so incredible, really just so inspiring, and in that atmosphere I felt like I was painting more than knitting. That swatch was so much fun, and even though I do enjoy colourwork, it's never been quite as exciting on my own as it was on that day.
Hi, Laura!
1. Most loved handknit ... hmm. I love my Tudora. It's soft, warm, and looks fantastic.
2. I LOVED knitting the two dolls I made for my daughter. It was a quick pattern with enough going on to be interesting, and it gives me warm fuzzies to see how much she loves them.
So what are YOUR answers, Janet?
1. My most loved handknit is the Anouk I made for my friend Melissa's daughter Sophia. Ironically, I really didn't enjoy the knitting itself all that much, but I loved making it for the recipient. Melissa and her husband have been waiting for months to bring Sophia home from Guatemala, and in a small way, I felt like the Anouk was a symbol of hope that she'd be with them soon.
2. My favorite thing I ever knit was my first pair of socks, just because the process seemed so magical to me, like I was finally in on some great secret. The socks themselves are pretty eh - baggy and felted on the soles. But I loved making them so much.
Off to favorite!
Congrats on your new addition! I wish I could my sister to become a knitter. ;)
1) The second pair of Fetching I made is my favorite knit so far (in my very limited experience).
2) I'm not finished with it, but I love knitting up Twiggy Tweed. It's broken into manageable pieces, and I (I'm pretty sure I'm alone on this) love seaming.
Now, I'm off to find something new on ravelry!
1. Your most loved handknit (made by you or someone else)
I love the Irish hiking scarf that I made for a friend.
2. The thing you've most loved knitting (whether or not you loved the finished piece)
The socks I am making now are coming off the needles like butter off the knife.
you'll find me at http://chezclutter.wordpress.com -- the blogger id isn't used much
Great contest, and welcome to your sis!
1. Gotta be the Cobblestone! I love how it looks on my man...
2. The Embossed Leaves socks--they brought me back in to the sock knitting fold
Came across your blog on the 20-something Ravelry group.
1. My most loved handknit so far is the sweater I made for our greyhound! It's the first thing I've made to sort-of fit someone/something (in this case, the dog). We've also gotten several compliments on the sweater while walking her!
2. The thing I loved knitting most was the Four Seasons Throw. I liked knitting the first one that I made for a friend so much that I made a second one for my husband and I! The blanket is made of 12 squares, each square a different color and a different pattern so it was fun to knit, and very portable as well.
-I've favorited a couple items I've come across today and yesterday on Ravelry.
I'm MollyWafflesKnits on Ravelry, and have pictures posted of both of these projects :-)
Thanks for putting on such a great contest!!
1. My most loved handknit would probably have to be the Bird In Hand mittens made by my sister Alice (AliceKathryn on Ravelry). She has inspired me to try stranded colorwork myself.
2. The thing I most loved knitting was my Vintage Velvet scarf. Muench Touch Me is just so soft; there is really nothing like it! I also loved the rusty orange color of it and how the texture changed after felting. It was a really fun project that I'd recommend to anyone!
Thanks again for putting on this contest! I am off to surf Ravelry. :)
Grace (GraceIvy on Ravelry)
http://kathrynivy.com/
Post a Comment
<< Home