Wednesday, November 10, 2010

the how'd I miss this? giveaway

Knitcircus magazine.
Today, my little spy  Google Alerts emailed  to say Shear Spirit was mentioned on Knitcircus blog. Our book came out in 2008 but is still on my "I-Love-this-Project" list. I mean, not to sound all jaded and uppity,  but I  have hundreds of published projects. I was passionate about most of them while working on them, but a couple years later? Not quite as fired up. Not Shear Spirit though, I am still so proud of that book, and can blab endlessly about the fiber farms, the incredible subjects we visited and included and the knitting.
Which led me to the Knitcircus online magazine itself. Wonderful! At first I thought I'd never seen it before but in looking at back issues, I realized I'd seen a very early issue . Uppity & snobby sounding snippet # 2 for this post: well, I can't help it, the visuals didn't do much for me at the time so I barely looked. That was then.
Now, Knitcircus has evolved into a beautiful & interesting magazine. Great layout and function, better content, engaging visuals and big beautiful photos.
It's sort of a hybrid of some other faves  like  Knitty and Twist. Presented  in the same page turning format, optional PDF download as Twist but, instead of having each pattern for sale individually, catalog style, you  order the whole issue's worth for $7.99. There are yarn & book reviews, interviews with knitwear designers, sock talk from the sockiest source I know,  Wendy Johnson, and the cookie recipes, yum, are free.
When I emailed  Jaala Spiro, the  editor-in-chief to ask permission to use some covers/pages here,  she generously offered a year subscription giveaway. Cool, yes? That's 5 issues! So, here's what you need to do: go look a the Holiday Gift issue. In  the comments, tell me what you liked. Could be a project, could be some of the reviewed yarn, could be the interview. Maybe the cookies? Enter by midnight Friday November 12th. Drawing by random number.

42 comments:

  1. I love the Ear Bands in that issue. Several people on my gift list would love them too!!

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  2. I like the PKOK socks, the Sweet Georgia ad, and the page-turning online format. Wow, Knitcircus has come a long way!

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  3. hi Gale! Momma of s who knits at landfills checking in to say hi and I'm still a faithful(weekly)reader of yours. Drooled over your JMoon Farm experience (i read her blog too...:)) I like the KC read....it is engaging. the ads too, and the way the colors of the featured yarns make the eye go allllll the way around! Your SS book is still tops in my shelf tho! I want to see SS2! :) barb

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  4. Hmmm, there were several...I loved the layout of the yarn review and it reminded me that I want to try SweetGeorgia yarns...

    I also was interested in The Opposite Shore hat, the One Scarf (interesting concept). I know two baby boys who's look adorable in the Plaid Holiday vest. Loved the Serendipity Ear Bands and the Frilly Cuffs.

    Since I'm new to knitting (am an old time hooker) I don't have too many patterns yet....

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  5. LisaL8:09 AM

    I like the knitted flowers. I could always be better at them.

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  6. I love the PKOK socks and the knitted flowers.

    And I still love Shear Spirit, too :-) I flip through it all the time and was lucky enough to be able to squish some yarn from Meadowcroft Farm this past weekend at the Fiber Festival of New England.

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  7. I think the format of the magazine is great. I clicked on an add and it took me to the manufacturers page, nifty! I also like that the details; guage, needle, yarn are all listed in the back. Really the mag is wonderful.

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  8. The article "The Gifts That Keep Us Knitting" stopped me cold. I recently learned what a phenomenomal knitter my aunt was, too late to talk to her directly about it. I also love the idea of cookie recipes!

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  9. Anonymous9:55 AM

    I just found this magazine yesterday! Great minds and all that :) I love the one scarf in the holiday issue. I think it would make great Christmas knitting. I usually make scarfs or cowls for my sisters-in-law, and I'm loving that one. Looks like a quick knit too, which is a bonus :)

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  10. What a great publication! I'm probably the biggest dork... I loved the advertisements! I've only been on the knitting scene for a couple years, so I loooooove new places to go. The yarn review is fabulous and I was really impressed with the pattern info at the end. When looking at the project patterns offered I like to know what I'm getting myself into! I was worried until I flipped to the back.

    I've got a new bookmark, for sure!

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  11. Thanks for having a giveaway! The organic bath set looks like a great gift option.

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  12. I liked the Moroccan Lace socks; I'm kind of a sucker for the color red.

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  13. I'm with Mamaross, I really like the Moroccan Lace socks too!

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  14. I love the organic bath set, I think it's great to see items other than clothing that would make great gifts. It's also a beautifully designed publication.

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  15. I really like the Serendipity Ear Bands!

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  16. Just found your blog via MasonDixon knitting, just in time to see your contest! I will definitely keep reading, your blog seems fun! I loved the handwarmers. Having just spent the past weekend freezing during a standardized test situation I was desperately wishing I had a pair of fingerless mitts along. These would have been perfect! and the pretty might have inspired my mind! :-)

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  17. I loved the story of the dissertation shawl, and may be inspired to take on a big project as I make my way through nursing school. I also think I may need the imperial hat. . .

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  18. Thanks for letting us know about this great publication! I haven't had a chance to read the whole thing (yet), but now am seriously jonesing for Cashsilk laceweight. If they have it in a deep red, I am sunk. I'd better not check until after the holidays.

    I also really like the Josephine fingerless mittens!

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  19. Personally, I like the interview with Sally Melville best, but those patterns were super awesome great too!

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  20. I think a lot of those sites change and grow over time. Some start strong and end up in the weeds and some start in the weeds and work their way out. I'm glad this one is growing on you.

    Oh, and you're not being snobby. You have a good and valid opinion that is backed up by actual mad skillz.

    xo

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  21. Thanks for the chance to win this. I'd love to knit the ear bands.

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  22. Thanks for hosting the giveaway. I love the Ear Bands!

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  23. I like how colorful the magazine is - as far as projects, I like the Imperial Cabled Hat best. Thanks!

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  24. I really like the Josephine mitts, though if I made them I would use fewer beads--all the ones in the original seem to distract from the texture part of the pattern.

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  25. Jill S.6:19 PM

    The cookies look delicious! I like how all of the pattern requirements -- yarn, needles, tools -- are put together in a neat list in the back of the magazine. It makes it easy to see how many of the patterns can be knit from stash and how many would require new skills or new yarn :).

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  26. I like the skills required section for each pattern. Yes, any knitter can knit anything. A beginner, not easily, could have a wedding ring shawl as a first project, or a bohus sweater. However, knowing what techniques are used in a project is a helpful bit. Some people, no matter how accomplished, may not like knitting in the round, or flat, and this lets them know what is ahead.

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  27. Charlotte8:27 PM

    How can you pick just one thing to like in Knitcircus? I think Sally Melville is the best and I love the PKOK socks, the Moroccan lace socks and the Josephine fingerless mitts.

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  28. I like the layout of KnitCircus -- they pack a lot of info in those pages! Nice interview with Sally Melville, and I like that there are a lot of book reviews. It's colorful too!

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  29. My favorite thing about Knitcircus is always the patterns! In this issue I especially liked the Jeaune set and Winterside. The Orange Ginger Crinkles sound delicious too!

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  30. Love the Josephine Mitts, and I'm taking a knitting with beads class this weekend!

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  31. I love many things but it comes down to the One Scarf and the PKOK socks. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  32. Anonymous7:28 AM

    I'd love to make the One Scarf, since this is just how I wear mine, but am also really taken with the Carnival shawl... such wonderful colours that would brighten up these grey wintery days...
    It's a fab looking mag!

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  33. I really like the product reviews and yarn reviews - KnitCircus has pointed me to some great etsy sellers and independent dyers!

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  34. Oooh!! The Moroccan Lace socks rock my world! :) What a gorgeous magazine.

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  35. I like being able to look at the whole magazine online. The photos of the yarn and projects are great. My favorite project is the Imperial Cable Hat. The recipes looked great, too.

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  36. I loved the knitted flowers. I need to make some to embellish some felted hats. Thanks for the entry.

    Knitterofhats on Rav

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  37. Oh my, I have added the Della Q Que-I Needle bag to my Christmas list.

    And I believe the Chocolate Coconut Rugelach will be added to my Cookie list this year.

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  38. I like the Josephine mitts!

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  39. I am torn between the Josephine mitts and the Carnival scarf/wrap

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  40. the Josephine Mitts on the cover really caught my eye. I have several young women on my christmas list who would love them!

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  41. Josephine mitts, PKOK socks, and definitely the oat-cherry bites ...

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  42. gracie4199910:09 PM

    I loved the Moroccan lace socks, and the little boy's vest. (new babies in the family! little clothing items go fast, compared to adult-sized clothing items!)

    and I love the ads. Like I need more ideas for places to visit, either on the web or in real life...

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