If you're a regular reader you'll know that I like adaptable knitting patterns which can be customised. I also love using 'recipes' that don't need to be followed to the letter, so I can go a bit 'off piste'. As such, it's unusual for me to pick up a book and want to immediately cast on all the things. For this reason I am delighted to be a part of the Knit Play Colour blog tour*, as this is a rare thing indeed - a book I wish I'd written.
All photos by Jesse Wilde, used with permission |
Knit Play Colour is the first book from Louise Zass-Bangham of Inspiration Knits and includes a collection of ten patterns to make beautiful accessories. The patterns showcase many stunning yarns from top indie-producers and several projects will have you reaching for those irresistibly bright single skeins you bought at a festival without having the slightest idea what you might do with them!
Of course once you see the pictures, you may want to add to your stash, not choose from it - and who would blame you as there are some stunners!
One lucky reader will win a free download of the ebook, simply by leaving a comment under this post telling me your favourite pattern from this collection (see them all HERE). On Tuesday 20th October 2015 I'll randomly select one of the comments and get in touch with the download code. Be sure to leave your Ravelry name or blog details so I can contact you.
*I'm stop number seven, if you missed the earlier posts, check out A Playful Day, Miss Babs, Knitted Bliss, Countess Ablaze, Fyberspates and Sweet Georgia Yarns. Tomorrow the tour will stop off at Yarn in the City.
It's not all shawls, scarves and cowls - you can make blankets or wraps too. And here's the thing, for each pattern Louise provides a list of alternative ways you can play with the design. For example, Shadowlines (below) is a shawl which can easily be elongated to make a luxurious throw, but that's not all - Louise provides three pages of alternative ways to play with the pattern by changing the yarn, the gauge, the width and the cables. She suggests alternative yarns with different properties too. The book is not only practical, but also educational!
As well as lots of ideas for customisation, you will read about playing with colours and yarn weights, how to explore texture, and more. This is not just a pattern book and I chose to include it in the Festive Gift Guide because, yes, the projects would certainly make beautiful gifts, but more importantly because I think it would be a great resource for any knitter who enjoys experimenting. (Don't worry, Louise has minimised the risk of trying your own variations by including so much additional information.)
If you're now wondering how to get hold of it, you can click on any of the images here to go to the Ravelry listing where you can download the ebook. The physical copy (which includes a code to download the ebook copy too) can be obtained directly from Inspiration Knits online or at many independent yarn retailers in the UK and US.
Update: Congratulations to SharonM4 who won a copy of the ebook!
Affinity! Love the beads! I'm otagogirl on Ravelry.
ReplyDeleteAffinity and Yarn Tamer! I'm knittingmum59 on Rav. Thanks! X
ReplyDeleteIt has to be Shadowlines, it looks so warm and cuddly! I'm sharonm4 on Ravlery. Thank you
ReplyDeleteSo hard to choose but I think for me it's Heart Deco. Just stunning. I'm gilliana82 on Ravelry. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYarn Tamer and Resonate.....but probably the Tamer first! Rav id deansgirl
ReplyDeleteI love shadow lines and would knit this for the winter. But first I think I would knit trailblazer with a skein of yarn I spun using a color way called stormy.
ReplyDeleteI am mjm on ravelry
I'm a fan of yarn tamer. Nw that is a pattern I could play with!
ReplyDeleteknitonepugtwo
Yarn Tamer looks just perfect for making those beautiful skeins of variegated yarn stay beautiful when knitted.
ReplyDeleteOops. I'm k1teach2 on Ravelry.
ReplyDeleteYarn Tamer - loving the stitch pattern and colour possibilities!
ReplyDeletewow beautiful work...can't choose between shadowlines or warm hearts.....they are both stunning.
ReplyDeleteKaren [email protected] on ravelry im kepnbnetnbca
I love Flight of Colour because stripes with bright colors are so much fun. I am beth5 on Ravelry.
ReplyDeleteI love yarn tamer as I have so many skeins that I can use in my stash.
ReplyDeleteI'm torn between Affinity and Shadowlines, but I think Shadowlines wins purely cos it has cabling and looks so snuggly!
ReplyDeleteI'm kezbabybabe on Ravelry, also part of the CraftFromCwtch KAL Group. :)
Where to start they are all beautiful! Affinity would be my first. I'm Loop60 on Ravelry. Thanks
ReplyDeleteDifficult to choose but I think I'd have to go for Yarn Tamer, I just love the colour play! Struggling with technology but it's Ali / BijouxTree on Rav x
ReplyDeleteColour Trail for me. (Alpacaaddict on Ravelry.)
ReplyDeleteMy favourite is Colour trail, but it is difficult to choose.
ReplyDeleteRav i.d. SanRum
Flight of Colour. Rav id is slawson. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI like Color Trail.
ReplyDeleteMy contact info is msgb245 at gmail dot com
I cannot decide - I am torn between Affinity and Yarn Tamer - what does that say about me? I am Ozice on Ravelry
ReplyDeletethey all look gorgeous!!! I'd have to say Shadowlines is my fave as I love love love cables - I can't win the prize as I have no device for reading ebooks but I love your blog anyway!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Debbie, thanks for taking part and your kind words! (Whichever device you've commented from is probably ok for viewing ebook content - you can use a phone/tablet/laptop/desktop as long as you can open a PDF on it, it should be fine)
Deleteoh right!! I am a bit of a novice with e-things!! - I thought I needed a kindle!!
DeleteOoh, colour and stripes....perfect combination....I'd go for the Flight of Colour, but it's a difficult choice!
ReplyDeleteResonate is my favourite.
ReplyDelete(Ravelry name doofas)
ReplyDelete