I will admit it. I love books. I love books so much that I was a remedial reading teacher before my husband and I had kids. When we moved from St. Louis to Fort Collins three years ago, I got rid of a lot of books. The moving company charges by weight. Guess what weighs a lot? BOOKS! One thing I did not get rid of were my knitting and quilting books. (Because that would just be silly.)
Some books I buy because I want to make some of the patterns in there. Here’s what my knitting and quilting bookcase looks like at home. (Hey – there’s still plenty of room to add more. I might need to go shopping.)
Some books I buy just because when I look through them, I get inspired. I keep a small stack of these books on the shelf right behind my sewing machine table. These are the books that I want to have quick and frequent access to, because I love looking through them. I love the patterns, I love the colors, and reading through them makes me want to knit (or quilt). I don’t want them to get lost in the multitude that sits in the bookcase. Here is what is currently on that little shelf.
Today, I want to share some books with you! I have two books from market – a brand new stitch dictionary from awesome Wendy Bernard – signed!, a book of pretty sweaters from talented Vicki Square, and two of my all-time favorite knitting books by Hunter Hammerson – Knitter’s Curiosity Cabinet books, volumes 1 and 2. These are always on my little shelf, because I love reading through them and being inspired by her designs. Hunter sent me these copies, which I will share with you! These books are not just socks – there are mitts, hats and shawls in there as well. (Volume Three comes out later this month. We’ll be featuring Hunter in a Designer Spotlight when her third book is available, so you’ll learn more about her.)
To enter the contest, leave a comment and tell me about a knitting/quilting/sewing book that you would keep on your little shelf, if you had one. (Not a collector of books? Then tell us something else that inspires your creativity.) You can also tell us which of these four books you’d love to win. I’ll draw names next week and will be sending these books on their way to new homes soon!
Sheri hopingthereareotherbookcollectorsouttherelikeme
I would love to add Wendy Bernard’s book to my library. My library is pretty meager and any book relative to knitting or spinning would be welcome.
One Skein Wonder books are on my shelf. It’s so nice to grab one and find a quick project after working on a more complex one. I love to leaf thru them when I need a quick gift idea. I think Hunter Hammerson’s books would be great to have.
i don’t remember the exact name of the book, but lynn barr has a book of architecturally inspired scarves that i love.
i would love a stitch dictionary. i love playing with new and interesting stitch patterns.
Oh, my gracious goodness, do I have books. I have a collection that could be friends with your collection. BUT, I have a cookbook collection that would make your knitting and quilting collection cower in fear. I do a lot of cooking for other people and my church. Kind of an ‘occupational hazard’, but I just enjoy being inspired by them, too.
PS Should you randomly pull up my comment, please send the joy of a new book to someone with shelf space left. Please. Although they all look interesting…
I love the mochi mochi books and any of my books that have knitted or crochet animals in them.
Any of the books that use one skein. I love buying “souvenir” yarn. These help me use up those great little skeins.
I love knitting books which teach me different stitches or techniques. I would also love to learn how to knit socks (for adults)! So kind of you to offer this opportunity!
Barbara Walkers
Learning to knit. I still refer to it from time to time.
Jinny Beye’s “Hand Quilting”
I don’t think there is a better book for taking hand quilting to a new level.
I have a hard time leaving the knitting section of any bookstore. I usually just sit right down on the floor so my legs don’t get tired while I peruse…
I think I’d love the stitch dictionary most, although all of the other books are very exciting as well 🙂 Thank you for the amazing giveaway!
I absolutely love books and will buy a single magazine or book just for a particular pattern I want to knit. They are treasures to me and very hard to part with. And I love stitch dictionaries!!!! They are like school books waiting there for me to come and learn from them. 🙂
Oh my goodness, I have more books than I care to think about. I’ve asked my husband to make me 3 – yes, that’s 3 – more floor-to-ceiling bookcases, and maybe that will corral them all. As for creativity-inspiring books, I love Hunter’s books; have them both and have 1 pair on the needles as we speak (taking a little nap for my Camp Loopy project, though). I purged a bunch of books not too long ago, but I did keep one of Kaffe Fassett’s books because there’s no way I would ever make anything with that many colors, but they’re beautiful to look at.
If I’m one of the lucky winners, I’d like the stitch dictionary.
I always keep a copy of Ann Budd’s the knitter’s handy book of patterns close by so that when I try a new pattern and am having trouble getting the correct gauge I can look up what I might need to change to make my hat/socks fit
I love the Cast On Bind Off book. It is really a good reference. I would love to have the stitch dictionary–it would be so inspiring!
Botanical Knits is one of my favorite books on my shelf!
I have 2 Elizabeth Zimmermann books handy – Knitter’s Almanac and Knitting Without Tears. I would love to have Wendy’s new stitch dictionary!!
I’m on my way to look up the Knitter’s Curiosity Cabinet – I’m curious!
I’m a quilter and a knitter too. I love the Gee’s Bend quilt books because they are so inspiring. The creators made do with whatever leftovers they harm and still came up with unique designs. So inspiring!
The Fleece and Fiber source book is a constant source of inspiration to me. Some days I just like to look at the sheepies!
I have just been knitting for 5 years and I love to read Knitting Books…one of my first knitting book I have on my shelf and have lent out many times is Stitch and Bitch….the name is not my favorite but I love what is inside. This book really helped me understand knitting.
I often look through “Knitting Around” by EZ and “Folk Shawls.” I enjoy the historical perspective on knitted patterns. I’d love to add Wendy Bernard’s stitch dictionary to my shelf.
I used to flip through pattern magazines all the time for ideas. I download most of my books/mags/PDFs now. The books or magazines that have patterns in them are stored on a shelf, but I never get them out unless I need a pattern from them. I usually do Ravelry searches or look on knitting boards on Pinterest for inspiration. So I guess my iPad is always handy on my little shelf 🙂 I would totally take a copy of Hunter’s books though! I’ve been looking at those patterns for a while! I love her curiosity shop theme and the way she integrates plants into her patterns!
I too am a book collector. I have 2 bookshelves in my studio, one full of books and the other books and yarns. I keep “Knitter’s companion handy for techniques I might need a refresher on. I also love stitch pattern books for the inspiration. Would always be glad to add a new one to my shelf.
Close by, on the end table these days, is “Victorian Lace Today” by Jane Sowerby. Deborah Newton’s “Finishing School” is a handy resource. And never too far is “Knit Fix — Problem Solving for Knitters” by Lisa Kartus. Can never have too many books!
I have a small bookcase next to my recliner where I knit. I have lots of books, I too collect them! Wendy Johnson’s Socks from the Toe Up is a special favorite ? I also like the one skein collections. I would love to own either Volume 1 or 2 of the Knitter’s Curiosity Cabinet books. Thank you for sharing!
I have a whole shelf dedicated to knitting, spinning, sewing, and scrapbooking, but my go-to is Margaret Radcliffe’s Knitting Answer Book.
Two knitting books I use a lot are : “The Knitter’s Handbook” put out by Knitter’s Magazine which I found most helpful when I restarted my knitting in 2006, and “Cast On Bind Off” by Leslie Ann Bestor which I have used on many Loopy challenges and projects because I am always searching for a special CO or BO. I would love either of the “Knitter’s Curiosity Cabinet” volumes for inspiration. Everyone can use some more inspiration!
I would love to have Wendy’s new stitch dictionary! I hope to add it to my collection soon!! I like to collect stitch dictionaries as I am able to learn new things from them and be inspired to create new things. I would be happy to have any of the four books in my collection! Thanks for the chance to win!
I love all my many knitting and spinning books and I would love to add Wendy Bernard’s new stitch dictionary to my shelf!
A book I really enjoy is “10 Secrets of the LaidBack Knitters”. All of the books you’re giving away seem like they would be welcome additions to any knitter’s library! I would love Wendy’s book (or any of them). ( : Thank you! Stephanie (indigodogmontana on Rav)
I love all sorts of books. I have a collection of a bit of everything, over the years I’ve gone to more of a digital collection which is nice & compact & neat ( & no dusting ) but a book to hold still feels good. I don’t really have much of a knitting book most of my stuff is online knitters curiosity does peak my interest.
I was delighted a year or so ago to discover that both my nearby library systems carry knitting books! That way I can check out a book and if it looks like I’ll use it a lot, I buy it.
I have both “how-to” and “pattern” books – and I read and use them all. Don’t have any HH yet, although I would like to – I have a bunch of her single patterns.
I have a T-shirt that reads “Cats. Books. Life Is Good.” It would be perfect if it said “Cats. Books. Knitting. Life Is Good”! (And absolutely perfect if it had instructions on how to keep the cats away from the knitting…;o)
I would love either of the Knitter’s Curiosity Cabinet books! I would probably keep anything Stephanie Pearl-McPhee on my shelf, for advice and giggles
That’s a really tough question! I really like Susan B. Anderson’s books for knitting for kids (our great niece is in the Nursery one!) and E.Zimmerman’s Knitting without Tears is great, too, for lots of helpful information.
On my littke shelves I have so many quilt books and the ones I love best are the historical ones by Barbara Brackman. I am gradually acquiring knitting books I love and I think any of these four would be a treasure to own.
I buy a lot of single skeins of hand painted yarn on whims, so at the moment my favorite inspiration books are Socktopus by Alice Yu and Indie Socks by Chrissy Gardener. Both have lots of patterns for all types of hand painted yarns, from almost solid to tie dye explosion colors.
I am a book collector too!! There are so many wonderfully inspiring books out there! I have several books that live on a special shelf for quick viewing. You should check out “Quilt-opedia” by Laura Jane Taylor. Beautiful pictures, great patterns, & lots of ideas for skill building. Plus the author is a sweet friend. 😉
All 4 of those books look very interesting
Barbara Walker! I have two of her “vintage Editions” The Craft of Multicolored kintting coyright 1973 and “Charted Knitting Designs” 1972
Books! Barbara Walkers Stitch dictionary’s and June Hiatt’s Principals of Knitting are books I like to keep close,and my Vogue Sewing book. I have been wanting Hunter’s books for several months-they sit on my Amazon wish list.
I love Charlene Schurch’s sock books “Sensational Knitted Socks” and “More Sensational Knitted Socks”. I would like to win one of Hunter’s books. I have her “Silk Road Socks” book and I love it.
I have lots of knitting books, quilting books, cook books–too many in fact. But who can resist a new book that just might have a wonderful pattern, or a beautiful picture, or a great hint. Four books that I would put in that special place are: Magnificent Mittens & Socks by Anna Zilboorg, Cables & Arans edited by Erika Knight, The Knitter’s Book of Patterns by Ann Budd, and Knitting Tips & Trade Secrets from Taunton Press. I also have a picture book of Ireland that I pick up often just to relax my mind.
The twisted sisters book about dyeing and sweaters; I use that a lot for my yarn dyeing.
I would have to include Susanna Lewis’ Knitting Lace. So many inspirational lace patterns.
I would love Vicki Square’s book, it looks like it fits nicely in my book shelf.
I’ve always wanted E.Zimmermans books, she is a great inspiration.
I love the Rhinebeck Sweater book! So many wonderful designers and incredible patterns.
I love my Respect the Spindle book. I have been looking for a good stich dictionary for the past couple of years so I would love to win Up, Down and All-Around by Wendy Bernard it looks amazing!
I love to look through stitch dictionaries! I don’t have any of my own, but I browse through them every time I find one in a store or online library.
I have books by Elizabeth Zimmermann on my little shelf of treasures. I foumd her well after she had died. And who knew? She lived right in my community of Menomonee Falls, WI! I’ve made her mitered blanket (made in one piece with short rows that turn corners) as a baby blanket gift so many times I can’t count them. I’m determined to make her Surprise Jacket/sweater yet this summer — knit in one piece, sew a couple seams, and surprise! A sweater.
I keep the Yarn Harlot’s Knitting Rules on my shelf. Of these books, I would love to win Wendy Bernard’s stitch dictionary.
I reference Two at a Time Socks by Melissa Morgan -Oakes so, so much! I am so glad I have that book on my bookshelf.
The sweater on the cover of Light & Layered Knits is stunning! I would love to add not only the book, but also the sweater to my collection!
The “Cast On Bind Off” book is one that never seems to make it back to its place on the shelf, since I look at it so often. The Stitchionary guides are the ones I love to flip through, dreaming of projects that would use the lovely stitch patterns.
I’d love to add Wendy Bernard’s book to my library for similar inspiration!