Friday, September 16, 2016

a Drop Dead Easy Knits video + GIVEAWAY


Presenting our book trailer!
 My co-authors,Kirsten Kapur of Through the Loops and Mary Lou Egan and I could not be more excited that the book we've been working on for the past year  DROP DEAD EASY KNITS will be out in the wild this week.
In the spirit of the book, which is all about enjoyable but smart knitting- things you can knit while sitting around with friends, or in meetings, or on trains, or while watching the sports practices/rehearsals/schoolboard meetings or waits in the carpool pickup that come our way...stylish but not requiring isolation to follow the pattern
We present this video with a few of our favorite knitting (and life) tips.
And a peek at some of the 28 wonderful projects in the book.

 GIVEAWAY: a copy of DROP DEAD EASY KNITS
 signed by all 3 of us 



Leave a comment below, by midnight September 22nd,  pacific US time, letting us know which of the tips in the video is your favorite. 

We can't wait to hear from you.  Tips up!


Book Launch 
 Thursday September 22nd at Fibre Space in Old Town Alexandria VA on Thursday evening, 
with classes from all three of us the next day, details here, please join us! Kirsten will be teaching one of my fave projects, the Short Beach Shawl, shown below, and modeled by me in the video. I'll be teaching a Ten Tips & tricks Photo Class , guaranteed fun. Mary Lou will be running a drop in Finger Puppet Bar, so bring your littles, or , um, make some adult puppets happen. We won't judge!
(but sign up soon, these are almost sold out)

49 comments:

Sam said...

So which tip was the most useful? Hummmm - was it the many uses for a crochet hook (stirring a drink most helpful)? Was is the pun of Truss vs Trust? (My mom the unpublished poet would have LOVED this one). Or was the wine choice when knitting?
I sense a theme here but after my hard cider, who can pick?

Carole said...

I think the crochet hook as drink stirrer was very helpful. I would add that the crochet hook could also be used to spear olives and stick them in your martini. Just saying. Seriously, though, I think the best tip was the one about using a chain of locking stitch markers to track increases. Brilliant! And now - pick me! Because 9/22 is the day after my birthday and this would be a FAB birthday present!

Anonymous said...

Drink champagne when knitting with light colored yarn....sound advice! (the stitch marker chain for marking increases was also a good one)

JaneSezKnit on ravelry

Susanne said...

Yes, I like the one telling us not to drink red wine when knitting with light coloured yarn! Of course if your yarn is red...then go for it!!!:)
They were all helpful, especially the crochet hook...stirring a drink...I think you folks might have a track on something!!!
Can't wait to see the book...looks great.

Susanne said...

Yes, I like the one telling us not to drink red wine when knitting with light coloured yarn! Of course if your yarn is red...then go for it!!!:)
They were all helpful, especially the crochet hook...stirring a drink...I think you folks might have a track on something!!!
Can't wait to see the book...looks great.
scheusie@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I loved using stitch markers to keep track of your increases - I never have a writing implement with me but always have stitch markers! Oh and of course, trusting chickens with your knitting. . . . :-)

Shing on Rav

Jersey Shore Deb said...

I loved the whole video, but I think the first tip about knotting the ends of a shawl to more easily wear it as a cowl was great! Sounds like a must-have book!

Word Lily said...

I like the one about wearing a shawl as a cowl by knotting the ends! (I'm WordLily on Rav.)

opakowana said...

Definitely the crochet hook uses, I use it as a stirrer all the time. I also have a plastic crochet hook in the bathroom - use it as a plughole hair remover (my husband has longer hair than me...so there is a lot of hair....)

Margaret said...

I'll give you a hint about my favorite: I'll go for the prosecco every time. lol!

Anonymous said...

Black & white photo to check contrast
ckmary on ravelry

UmmRania said...

I loved this!!!!! I hope the book is as funny, nevertheless sone great patterns. My favorite tip was the crochet hook one.

UmmRania said...

I loved this!!!!! I hope the book is as funny, nevertheless sone great patterns. My favorite tip was the crochet hook one.

hivetender said...

Fabulous video!! For a serious tip I like the ball winding with fingers. But trusting a chicken with yarn is my favorite! Crochet hook for mixing drinks is a blast. Stitch marker chain is a great idea I have always used. Congrats Gail, can't wait to see the book. Mum and I spent a Rhinebeck with you at the Suminski Innski. Few years back. Hivetender on Ravelry.

Gracey is not my name.... said...

Great video....great tips....I like the one about marking your right side/wrong side...and I love that you guys were kind of goofy in the video...

patriceod said...

Clean chin line tip! The book looks great!

craftsonthego said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Karen F said...

Absolutely the best tip is the clean chin line! On the knitting side of things, I had never thought of knotting the shawl to wear as a cowl. I often wrap a shawl around my flabby neck several times and just hid the loose ends, but the shawl would always work itself loose and I would have to rewrap. Great tips!

Pretentious Wombat said...

First off, I thoroughly enjoyed this video trailer. Lots of good tips! I think my two favourites (can't pick just one) are about playing yarn chicken and keeping a crochet hook handy. Last night, my server was a tad slow with bringing my spoon for coffee and I could have used one of my handy-dandy hooks. Don't know why I didn't think of it since my knitting bag was by my side.

Heather J said...

Love the stock market tips and the winding tip. The one I will start using today is the chin line one. Thanks for the tip!

Heather J said...

Stitch marker stupid autocorrect!!

Robin said...

All great tips but my fave was how to hand wind the ball of yarn. That's how my mom taught me and whenever I hand wind a skein I think of her, she also taught me to knit and sew.

Jennifer Tripp Mead said...

The chin line! I also really liked the yarn chicken tip. Is there a similar tip for how much yarn you need to bind off?

wolffpack said...

A) New uses for a crochet hook (besides fixing stitches - figured out first how to do that with a needle - or crocheting - can't figure that out for the life of me!)
B) I've heard of the B&W photo to check color pairings, but your demo really convinced me! Until now I've just been looking at my yarn with my eyes only open a teeny bit.
C) If I am going to write a book, write it with people who are talented, funny, knowledgeable, and/or all of the above!

erinw4 on Ravelry

wolffpack said...

PS. The shawl-as-cowl looked as though I would hurt myself, and the chin line tip is great for normal humans. Unfortunately I apparently descend from jowly aliens, because at my skinniest I'd be nearly 90° by the time I got my 3 chins hidden. Why does that have to be the only proof that my parents actually made me? ;)

Anonymous said...

Looking forward to an event near NYC. I LOVED your last workshop. When I look at the images from the book, I am reminded that "easy" is a relative term. lol Congrats.

Unknown said...

Great tips, all! Hard to pick just one, but I think my favorite serious tip was counting increases by hanging stitch markers -- brilliant!

Anonymous said...

You guys crack me up. That was the best 'selling point' for a new knit book I've seen. Best tip. 3x your yarn against the row you hope to beat at yarn chicken. That one I could really use.
Best of luck on your book launch. HelenMatheyHorn on ravelry

kayT said...

Black and white photos is the most useful tip for me. However, the chicken with yarn is the best! I love the patterns that I have seen so far so PICK ME for the book!

AsKatKnits said...

I can hardly wait for this book. Oh, and the tips... wow, there were so many. Pointy needles + lace = good idea! The forehead tip! Genius that one for my aging neckline! Ha!

Also, crochet hook as cocktail stirrer... this almost is beyond brilliant and seems to be the perfect theme for a knit night cocktail party! Oh, and I think that DPNs would be the PERFECT olive spear. Just sayin.

Also, PICK ME, I have pre-ordered a book but would LOVE an autographed copy. I would do a little give away on my blog for the copy I ordered! XO

PS I am askatknits on ravelry

MegR said...

Can't wait to see the whole book! I have two favourite tips: using your fingers when hand winding a ball of yarn, and the tip about chins/forehead in photos, I will be doing that next time I take photos of my FOs. Thank you for the great tips!

Anonymous said...

I love the crochet hook on hand, the smaller needles to pick up stitches, the head-forward photo shots. You all are too funny!! All the ideas are great.

ElaineChicago said...

I am Elm Park on Ravelry. Sorry I forgot to add it to my post above!

Phyllis Rowley said...

Crochet hook stirrer or tie the ends of the shawl to "cowl" it...both excellent.
And the Star Eyed Julep Throw! Gorgeous, and brilliant!

Jenn said...

Okay. I love the entire video. The cards, the knowing nods, the thumbs up. All of it. If I have to choose one favorite tip, I have to say: I love the head forward for a clean chin line tip!

The book looks wonderful! I'm now torn between waiting to see if I won and just ordering it right away....

Dari T said...

The black & white photo tip could prove VERY helpful. The wine tip was really my favorite tip, however. :)

Looking forward to getting a copy of the book in my hands very soon!

Dari T said...

I am dktrout on Ravelry

Gwen said...

best tips: (1) measuring for Yarn Chicken, and (2) match your wine to your knitting.

gracie41999 on Ravelry

Resident Squint said...

Yarn chicken is the most useful tip for me. Of course any tip by Gale is funny!

Theatergrrl

KCinMD said...

Clean chin line tip was my favorite, but they're all good! KCinMD on Ravelry

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness! So many wonderful (and adorable)tips! My favorite yarn tip: I try not to play yarn chicken but your tip will help if I ever do. My favorite tip in general: Besides trusting a chicken with yarn I love the "clean chin line" tip! I'd love to win a copy of the book!

Ellen Bloom said...

Congratulations on the book! All of the patterns look dreamy! Yes, I'd like to win this book, please, please, please!!!

KCarney said...

Hard to pick a favorite tip when they're all so great--but i think i like the idea of using your crochet hook as a swizzle stick (never thought of that one!) Thanks for the giveaway opportunity--the book looks wonderful!

Patty said...

I loved the video! What a hoot!!
As someone with a "full" chin, I have to go with with the chin line tip! ;)

jill cornish said...

Like others, I really enjoyed your intro and soooooo many of the tips are useful! I am about to start my first lace project (maybe the beach shawl!) so the "pointy needles" was an important idea for me. And, as a graphic person, I greatly appreciated your reminder about black and white contrast - sometimes it is hard to tell just by squinting!

JillatC2@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Ok - this was a d'oh moment for me. I broke my row counters so I manually put tick marks on a piece of paper. That means juggling knitting, yarn, paper and pen sometimes. I always have stitch markers...how hard is that to use a marker to track increases, decreases etc.

Now why, oh why have I not thought of this in 30+ years of knitting?!?

D'oh!

Great video - many fun and helpful tips! :)

holey_knit@aol.com

Cindy said...

Crochet hook=drink mixer, of course

gale (she shoots sheep shots) said...

Dearest All- Thank you for watching and entering and for your wonderful comments! The winner (by random # generator) is Liza Kirschner. Hitting reply won't allow me to notify you privately, Please send me an email with your delivery address so we can get a DROP DEAD EASY KNITS book out to you this week!
ezisusATsnetDotnet

Gale

kt said...

Congrats! Too late to compete, but perfectly timed to wish you mazel tov!