Thursday, November 01, 2012

Sock Yarn Studio Book Give-Away!



In January, 2011, I got an message from Carol Sulcoski asking me if I wanted to contribute something to a book she was putting together. I was just starting work on my Tenney Park design, which was eventually published in Knitty™. At that point, though, it kind of fit her general description of projects for the new book: featured a sock yarn, not a sock. So, I made a little proposal package out of my preliminary sketches and sent it off to her. Carol said she liked the idea, but it was a little more than she planned for the scope of this book. Would I, maybe, put entrelac on something else? Like fingerless mitts? Well, sure, I thought. No problem. So I made another proposal with a sketch and a few vague details.

Carol said yes and we ironed out yarn choices. Before too long, I got a little bundle in the mail from Crystal Palace and it was time to start knitting. This was a very fun little knit. The only disappointment for me was that my hands are bigger than most men's hands, so I was unable to try on the sample pair as I worked. In Sock Yarn Studio, the Thornapple Mitts are in the 2-skein section. This is only because of needing two different yarns to get the effect. You should be able to get two pairs of mitts out of one each of the Mini Solid and Sausalito, and you'll still have more Sausalito to make more entrelac panels!

For a lot of years, I didn't want anything to do with entrelac. It seemed like a lot of fiddly fussing for dubious rewards. So often, it seemed, that when designers got into entrelac they really got into it, if you know what I mean. But I had to admit that I liked the way it could be used with yarns that featured long color changes. I wondered if I might like it better if it was used in a more restrained way. That was what led me to my Tenney Park sweater and also to the Thornapple Mitts.

One thing that really helped me embrace entrelac was learning how to knit backwards, that is, to work from left to right across the row, right-side facing, so I didn't need to constantly be turning to purl. If you you are reasonably comfortable with seeing the structure of knitted fabric, it isn't hard to work out the process, and then it's only a matter of practicing enough to develop the muscle-memory. For those who need some guidance, there are many tutorials online. Here's one from Knitty.com. Knitting backward is also handy for making bobbles or just any knitting that involves a lot of turning from right to wrong side of the fabric and back again.

So, about the give-away... leave a comment on this post. On November 4, I'll do a random selection and pick one of the commenters to get a free copy of Sock Yarn Studio. The rest of you can order one from Amazon or Barnes and Noble or even go to a bricks'n'mortar store near you and buy it in person! Be sure to catch the rest of the Blog Book-Tour, too!

Photo reproduced with permission from Sock Yarn Studio by Carol J. Sulcoski, © 2012 Lark Crafts, an imprint of Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.

99 comments:

Molly Bee said...

Great post Eliz! And gorgeous gloves!

Momily said...

Sock gauge seems to bother my hands so I'm always looking for things I can make with all that gorgeous sock yarn out there. Love that entrelac pattern.

Cinderellen said...

I don't do entrelac - most of the projects are just not that appealing, but I do love these mitts. You've always got such interesting ideas.

Steph said...

Sch a clever use of entrelac!

The Frizzy Hooker said...

i will put this technique on my "to learn in 2013" list.

Margot said...

I know what you mean about entrelac - it can definitely be overused. I like your ideas of using it as panels.

Congrats on getting published in a book!

iamtheinfidel said...

Pick me! Pick me! You have some great designs.

ZantiMissKnit said...

Those are not only beautiful, you nicely made them in *my* colors. Therefore, I should win this so I can make my own!

Plus, I've never tried entrelac before and have merely been waiting for the right pattern. I think your pattern is the right pattern.

(Not kissing ass, I promise!!!)

(Okay. . .maybe kissing ass a little.)

Sara said...

Lovely gloves! This looks like a book that I would really use. So much sock yarn and only 2 feet, you know...
Sara in Platteville

Ali_SC said...

I love those gloves. I too have large hands, someone one described them as "strong". I think they meant fat w/squatty fingers.

I enjoy entrelac, but still have not master knitting backwards.

Thanks Elizabeth!

Susan said...

Stunning gloves. Hope I win . Thank you for the give-away.

Anonymous said...

truly beautiful!!! i would love to wear them!

Unknown said...

I love entrelac, and I love this pattern!

Miss Smilla said...

Beautiful design!
Had a wee peek at the book too - really exciting! :-)
Thank you!

Me said...

Oh, I think I need that book. I love sock yarn, but don't like making socks. The mitts are gorgeous!

Kathy said...

I've never tried entrelac, just because of the reasons you stated. It just seemed...too much. But these gloves...oh, these gloves! You've inspired my to try it...and as for knitting backwards, I try to as often as I can. I don't enjoy purling! Thanks for the chance to win in your contest!

Nat said...

You have me rethinking entrelac, thanks!

Savannagal said...

Your fingerless mitts are lovely. The colors you chose are some of my favorites. I really love fall colors. I read that you used Sausalito, but you didn't mention which specific colorway. Was it Harvest? Or Fall Herbs? I'd like to make a pair just like yours. They are perfect for me.

Unknown said...

Finally I have some inspiration for how to spend these winter months. It's been a while since I have picked up the needles. I love this pattern and am going to get SOMETHING started this weekend.

Kia said...

Ohhh I absolutely can't stand knitting socks -- have terrible nerve issues with my hands & those teeny needles hurt so bad, but I love sock yarn. The idea of a band of entrelac in the middle of finger-less mitts is awesome!

Sandy said...

Looks like a great solution for us non- sock folks! would love to try them!

Gi Mar said...

I do love these mitts...so clever!

Anonymous said...

Those are beautiful!

Anonymous said...

I have a whole chest of sock yarn and yet I dislike making socks. But I do a lot of other things with it.

Melody mullins said...

These are beautiful. I would love to make them.

Unknown said...

These are fab! And entrelac has been on my "techniques to master" list for entirely too long. I really need to get on that!

Jillian said...

I'm in love with these SO MUCH! I want them to be on Ravelry so I can dogear them. So beautiful. I will absolutely make these in the next few months.

pok said...

Definitely going to buy this book!

Cheriwan said...

And then I realized you don't have my info in case I'm randomly picked! So I'm fixing that by leaving this comment. And I just put the book on my Amazon wish list!

Linda said...

I am heading over to look at the knitting backward tutorial after posting here. I love these mitts and think they'd be a fun project while learning a new technique ... thanks for the opportunity!

bluiis said...

I love knitting socks and I'm looking to branch out. This pattern looks to be perfect! Thank you for the give away.

Unknown said...

I really really want to win!

Rae said...

I love entrelac, and love the way you've used the technique in these mitts!

Jennifer Schwab said...

I have waaaaay too much sock yarn! This book could definitely help me lessen the stash...

Unknown said...

Love! Thanks for the giveaway!

Unknown said...

I hope you pick me. These mitts are the first thing I have ever seen that say time to learn entrelac to me.

Aggai said...

Beautiful:) I have never tried this but now I Hve to:)

Frances said...

As the previous poster mentioned, I've never attempted entrelac, but these mitts are intriguing, and I'll soon be moving to a colder clime, so will finally need something like them! Beautiful...

Anonymous said...

LOVE the gloves and your creativity!

Ruth said...

Love entrelac!

Shelly B. said...

What lovely gloves! I could definitely use a copy of this book. :)

Unknown said...

I've never really be interested in doing anything entrelac until I saw those gloves. They look so awesome!

Unknown said...

Ooh, those gloves are pretty! I think they'd be a perfect new-to-entrelac project!

Anonymous said...

Love the mitts! In fact, I really like the whole book. I would love to win it!

hoofprints said...

As a new knitter (just over a year)one of the biggest complaints I have is when a talented knitter forgets what it was like because most learned at such a young age.I love the look of entralac but admit it along with most patterns are intimidating. Can I just say I love these fingerless gloves. I love to trail ride my horse but don't like my fingers covered.your design is a perfect starter pattern for someone like me,I'm all ready envisioning my own colors.I love sock yarn though I've yet to learn how to knit socks I just love other uses for it. Thank you for a chance to win.

Zoe said...

Those gloves are beautiful! I'd love to win a copy of that book.

Morgan said...

Also never attempted entrelac, but those mitts might change my mind!

raynae said...

Beautiful mitts! Can't wait to get my paws on them. ;)

Sheila said...

Lovely fingerless mitts! Hope I win the book!

rastawoman said...

Love the book! Knit on!

Suzanne said...

What a cool concept for a book and how wonderful that you were included. Thanks for showcasing your design.It's lovely.

Unknown said...

I took a look at this book on Amazon and it would be a great book to have. I am still learning to use my sock yarns however that has not stopped me from amassing them.

grandma said...

Love to learn entrelac, I know how to purl backwards, What fun trying to put them together!

Unknown said...

beautiful gloves!

Teresa Williams said...

Awesome pattern!

Rebecca said...

I just yesterday put my name on the request list for this book from the public library. I love those mitts! Would love to have the book in my own library. Thanks for the giveaway!

Linda said...

So much sock yarn, need something else to try it on.

Ann said...

Entrelactically beautiful mitts! This pattern could very well catapult me into wanting to learn more about knitting! I love the looks of entrelac!

TrishaP said...

I love the gloves and the originally submitted sweater. I have a similar aversion to entrelac... Maybe this could be the pattern that converts me...

ann said...

I share the same feelings about entrelac--not a skill I've been itching to learn. But, I've seen so many cute patterns lately that I may have to rethink this. Love the mitts!

Vicki said...

I love entrelac and I have never made mittens, but I do want to learn! Very pretty. :)

PenCraft said...

The mitts are gorgeous! Would love to win a copy of the book. Thanks for the chance at winning one.

annmuth said...

Cool gloves- I like the colors

Unknown said...

They are absolutely gorgeous! The color combo is wonderful, especially this time of year and the craftsmanship is outstanding. I have always wanted to do the entrelac but did not care for any of the patterns that I have seen. These are it!

Carol_M said...

I love knitting entrelac and these mitts are gorgeous!!! They are definitely going in my queue!

catmum said...

I seriously NEED this book!

Susan said...

If it had fingers I could say "Love the Glove". OK, Love the Mitt-Want to Knit. Beautiful design. Would love to have the book. Thanx

Moon Underwood said...

These are gorgeous and would be great stash-busters or useful for leftover yarns. Very eye-catching design. I would love to have this in my library of patterns!

Emily said...

I have some sock yarn that would be great for those gloves!

Lyndel said...

love the use of the color, the main reason many dont like entrelac is that too many knitters choose 2 opposing colors to show the 'weave' and the often end up looking gaudy and clash. This pattern in sock yarn is stunning.

Anonymous said...

yay! Another use for entrelac...I love to do it in small amounts-this project is perfect! Crossing my fingers to win the book :)

Unknown said...

I'd love to learn how to knit entrlac. It looks so appealing and those gloves are absolutely beautiful. I'm fairly new to knitting but I want to try and learn everything.

Carolyn said...

I would LOVE to win a copy of this book! I think that all of the projects I have seen online are wonderful!

KnittyKnerd said...

Now I feel sufficiently guilted into learning to knit backwards... thanks. :P

Lynn Clements said...

Love the fall colors on these gloves . . .

Unknown said...

I was just looking at this book the other day! Unfortunately, my husband seems to think that sock yarn DOES count as stash....

Anonymous said...

Just lost a lot of my knitting stuff with the hurricane. Would love the book

tea-na said...

Wow! Those are stunning! :) I would love to win a copy of this book! :)

Wendy said...

I can be motivated to try entralac if I win this book...:)

Jeanne said...

Those are really cool mitts, and a great introduction to Entrelac. I'd love to make a pair or three! And congrats on being featured in an actual book! Another of my dreams...

Anonymous said...

Beautiful! I haven't tried Entrelac, but these might entice me to try!

robin54 said...

great mitts...i've never done entrelac but these could persuade me.
thanks for the chance to win a new book, especially since i have so much sock yarn!

Unknown said...

Pick me! Pick me!!

Hardware Queen said...

Entrelac would be a new challenge for me. I would love to learn.

Shari Diamond said...

I love this pattern; this is such a creative way to use entrelac. How did you get the colors to shift across the entrelac that way? Was it just the way the yarn was dyed? I don't think it would look as pretty with a variegated yarn that didn't give the shift effect.

Unknown said...

Love this pattern! I DEFINITELY have a stash that will out live me unless I knit 24/7. Learning entrelac would give me new motivation to be knitting ALL THE TIME! I could see these mitts on me and, at least, a dozen friends & relatives!

Coleen said...

love the mitts! really pretty! Have yet to try entrelac - this looks like it might be a great way to test the waters.

Emily said...

Gorgeous mitts! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.

Erica said...

Like many, I love sock yarn, but I'm not a sock knitter, so this book is definitely up my alley. Combine that with my love of entrelac, and I'm dying to make those mitts!

Sally said...

Love the use of entrelac on these mitts. I hope to win the book as it looks interesting.

MissingRib2 said...

I have yet to knit in entrelac. However, the fingerless gloves pictured are the cause to do so.

Unknown said...

Great pattern! I haven't done any entrelac either but this pattern looks like it would be a great project to start with.

Barbara Fredrick said...

Love the gloves! The use of color
is what caught my eye. I've got
to win/get that book. Pick me.

Barbara

Leslie said...

Since I can't knit socks (or anything) as fast as designers can design lovely new patterns, I don't really need a new book. Not need ... but want! Sock Yarn Studio looks like a wonderful book.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
lasore13 said...

Great book for a great giveaway! I would love to win this! Thank you for hosting this!

I've never heard of the knitting backward technique. I will surely look into it and give it a try, it sounds very promising!

cynther said...

I'm like you, with a stashed amassed beyond life expectancy... But I'm trying! :)

Kitty Mommy said...

Pretty, pretty! (not that I don't have enough entrelac in my life)

Kim Barron said...

You did a very nice job with the color changes & getting them to work like that.
I'll have to see what is in there that I can knit with a lot of little balls left over from knitting >60 pairs of socks.