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’m a book lover as well, but I’m new to knitting and don’t have many knitting books. The ones I do have have mostly come from my sister, since she taught me to knit two years ago.
If I was the lucky person to win I’d have to choose the stitch dictionary or the sweater book. I desperately wan to make a sweater, but they intimidate me a bit still.
I would love the stitch dictionary. I have some favorite “construction” plans for sweater and socks that can be modified to use new stitch patterns. Great fun.
The most painful part of moving 900 miles was having to donate so many books because of the cost of moving them. Of the ones I kept, I refer often to my two knitting Q&A books. I would love to win the stitch dictionary.
Weekend Knitting is one of my all time favorite inspirational knitting books. I want to LIVE in that book. Just looking at it calms me down. I also adore Knitting in Tuscany, and still want to make the scarf on the cover, which is why I got the book!
I would definitely keep a stitch dictionary on my little shelf (if I had one)–I love looking through stitch dictionaries.
I have the Barbara Walker stitch dictionaries on my shelf.
Even got one signed by Barbara at sock summit the year she was there. They’re invaluable.
Custom Knits one and two. Does that count as one since I think of them as an inseparable set? Custom fit is vital to me as a….um….extra medium size. But, oh my goodness…that cuff! That is another two-volume set I would love. Excuse me while I dither.
I have to have the Barbara Walker stitch dictionaries, Ann Budd’s Top Down Sweaters, and the how to fix it knitting book.
I would love to own the Vicki Square’s book, since I love knitting sweaters.
The books that I return to time after time, to read and enjoy, are the Mason-Dixon knitting books: good writing, beautiful pictures, and inspiring projects. In fact, I love them so much that I have two copies of each, one for work, one for home!
For knitting, I love to look at the NORO books. The crochet Noro is next to my bed because I’d like to crochet a project in between the almost non-stop knitting. Otherwise, all of my Minick and Simpson books are together on a shelf. I look at their books for inspiration in general!!! Love the layouts and folk art objects that are pictured. The new Quiltmania publication of Polly’s rugs is a must have!!! (As are a bunch of the Quiktmania books – see Sheri’s shelf!!!) I don’t have any of the curiosity cabinet books yet, so that would be my choice to win.
Susan B.Anderson has been such a great inspiration to me. Her blog keeps me knitting as much as the Loopy Ewe keeps me buying!
Johnston4kids on rav
I really like Hunter Hammersen’s books as well. I am anxiously awaiting the new one.
I would like to add a stitch dictionary to my shelf, I think they would be inspiring.
The book I keep going back to is Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Knitter’s Almanac. I’ve not made everything in it, but I love to look at what I’ve made and not made, try something new, and get inspired!
I would love to win Vicki Square’s book, as I’ve seen the Tesserae sweater on Knitting Daily, and I want to try it!
Thanks for the contest!
Knitting socks with hand painted yarns. It has lots of great information about combining color with pattern that is applicable beyond just socks.
Ooo. I’ve been looking at her books for awhile. I have a small collection. I can’t see letting go of the Clara Parkes’ The Book of series any time soon. Great for idle flipping through, or reference. So much information, so well written.
I have most of the books I want, but this one is now at the top of my knitting book wish list:
Sock-Yarn Shawls: 15 Lacy Knitted Shawl Patterns
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sock-yarn-shawls-jen-lucas/1116270958?ean=9781604681949
The knitting book I keep close at hand simply for creative inspiration is AlterKnits by Leigh Radford, which includes a creativity notebook. it is also the only knitting book I’ve ever seen that includes a photo of a guinea pig, which reminds me of my sister’s rescued gpig Chloe. Of the new books, I’d most enjoy either Light Layred Knits OR the stitch dictionary.
I would totally keep any Hunter Hammersen books on my shelf, if I had any. Also, the Vogue Knitting Stitchionaries (I have vols. 1 & 2), and any sock knitting books I could get my hands on.
For knitting it would be the Elizabeth Zimmermann books and the Folk Socks book by Nancy Bush. For cooking it would be Jamie Oliver.
I love the Rebecca Danger books.
I’m a lover of all books, but I’d probably keep one of those stitch dictionaries on my closest workshelf for inspiration.
I love Barbara Walkers Stitch Dictionary’s and would love to win a new Stitch Dictionary to add to my collection.
I love the Nancy Bush sock books, they were there when I started down the sock rabbit hole, and I like just having them on my shelf. The two I have are the Folk Socks, and Knitting on the Road. But now there’s a new Folk Socks, and I haven’t figured out if I really need to update.
I keep a little blank book by my bedside for jotting ideas that pop up as I am drifting. I love colorwork reference books, I’m saving up for the Muhu designs book!
My favorite book on my shelf that inspires me is Domiknitrix!
One of my favorite knitting inspiration books is Viking Patterns for Knitting by Elsebeth Lavold. I’m a big fan of cables and while I’ve never knitted any of the actual sweaters from the book, I frequently turn to it for cable designs that I want to use in other pieces. It’s great! I’m actually borrowing it from my sister and I live in constant fear that she will ask for it back! Anyway, those prize books all look awesome, but I am in desperate need of a stitch dictionary, so that’s the one I would pick. Or the light & layered one as I live in a warm climate and it would be great to extend my knitwear season, so to speak 🙂
I love all of Kim Diehl’s “Simple” books. Can’t wait to get my hands on her new one “Simple Appeal”! Her patterns and choice of colors (whether fabric or wool) always inspire me!
Most of my books are sock ones….I love the Knitters Book of Socks and Wendy Johnson’s Socks From the Toe Up. I’m separated from many of my books right now thanks to a temporary cross-country move and I’m missing them dearly! I’d love either of the Hunter Hammerson books, her patterns are just lovely- I made Deflect socks from Knitty last fall and just adore them.
My must keep handy knitting book is Wendy Johnson’s Socks from the Toe Up. i would be lost without it.
I would love any of the books you are giving away but the Hunter Hammerson ones would be top of the list
I love Favorite Socks by Ann Budd. It’s my go to sock book. I would love to have either of Hunter’s books.
I get a lot of inspiration from “Wendy Knits Lace” by Wendy Johnson. – I would be thrilled to win any of the 4 books. Thanks!
I have twp knitting books that iare on my bookself that are well worn. After my first pair of socks made, I purchased Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch. Then I discovered that she had publised another book called More Sensational Knitted Socks. Almost everytime I make a pair of socks, both these books come out for options. Then their is the frist knitting book I purchased. It is called Minnies Quickknits for babies and toddlers by Jil Eaton. I needed a little sweater for a new baby and a pattern in this book was suggested. Needless to say, years later, I have made the Koko Kimono several times. Three well used books.
I am knitting book deprived. I have only one so would enjoy any of these four. I am inspired by knitting magazines and ravelry.
Three of the many knitting books that are well used are Minnies by Jil Eaton and Charlene Schurch’s books on Sensational Knitted Socks. These books have been used over and over again.
I (we – our whole family – hubby, 6yr olds and 3 yr old) LOVE books! We moved almost 2 years ago and most of our (hubby and I) books are still packed, as we had to leave our awesome bookcases behind and I haven’t decided how to build them in here and not alter the 1917 look of this home. What did get unpacked .. ALL of my knitting books, cookbooks, and the kids books. SO many books. We give books on valentines day, because we LOVE books and I refuse to buy into the commercialism of the day, books are better.
I have all my knitting books upstairs in my studio, my son browses them the most and he loves the Alan Dart patterns – who doesn’t?!?! My favs are complex cable patterns, but I have yet to finish a project with one because, HEY! I have three small kids and they NEED things all the time and that means I get interrupted ALL the time. I saw the Up Down, All Around book featured somewhere recently and I will have to add that one to my library, so it would be great to win it! I am ALWAYS modifying patterns so I can knit in the round or go top down vs bottom up, so I think it would be very useful!
#youarenotalone #wecollectlotsandlotsandlotsofbookstoo
I had trouble learning to knit when I was younger, and didn’t try it again for many years. Wendy Johnson’s first sock book inspired me to give it another try and to stick with it until I had it down. I will always be grateful for the way she encourages and educates her readers, and will always keep her books.
I would love to win the Knitter’s Curiosity Cabinet. My prized possessions are Barbara Walkers books and all my Elizabeth Zimmermann and Meg Swansen books. I always have them handy and just love to look at everything I want to knit. I quilt too, and I just love my Dear Jane and Dear Hannah books – I am in the middle of a “Blue Jane” and hopefully will finish it – I just wish I didn’t have to work, but I have to pay for all these addictions. I also have Erica Wilson’s Creative Needlework Society which was my first needlework book I bought in 1973.
Well, I do have shelves! Yes, multiple. I use all of my books and love all! I use my Knitter’s Companion book quite a bit! I have several bookmarks in it for where I reference to the most. I also love (but don’t own yet) Clara Parkes’ books – The Knitter’s Book of… series. All of those are excellent! I have no preference on winning! Great question to ask Sheri! We can all get some different suggestions! Thanks!
I would keep Knit A Monster Nursery on my little shelf. I love knitting for my baby! I would be happy with any knitting book. 🙂
Oh yes, I do have a book shelf for my knitting books, crochet books and a few craft books. And I love adding to it! If I won, I would choose the Knitter’s Curiosity Cabinet books, volumes 1 & 2. I finally had the light bulb go off while having a major brain fart over the gusset portion earlier this year and I’m having great fun knitting socks. I’ve also made a couple of cowls and want to make more. Thank you for your blog, it’s wonderful.
One of my favorite knitting books is “Wendy’s Toe-up Socks”. Her toe-up sock patterns are awesome and I’ve knit many patterns from this book. Would love to win either of Hunter Hammerson’s books! I think they would definitely go on my special shelf of knitting books.
Like you, I love books as well. Since I knit socks constantly, I’d have Socks a la Carte on my shelf, and would love to win Up, Down, All-Around Stitch Dictionary.
I love stitch dictionaries! I have several, including the Vogue series. Wendy Bernard is also a big inspirational favorite. I love looking at hers for inspiration. Of course, I have a couple sock reference books on my shelf as well. 🙂
I love looking thru my library of books whenever I’m thinking about a new project…knitting or quilting. Socktopus is always one of the first I look through. And any Batik quiltbook or Kaffe Fasset book is a sure inspiration. All of those books you have look great. I will have to look them up.
Those all sound like great resources but I’d especially be thrilled to win either of the Curiosity Cabinet books. I love the designs in those beautiful books!
I love books. Seriously. My husband hates it when I get anywhere near a book store because he knows it’s going to cost him $$$ as well as at least a couple of hours of his time. That said, these days I’m always on the hunt for a new stitch dictionary since I’ve recently started designing, so I think that would be my choice but the two books by Hunter Hammerson have also been on my wish list for a long time, so it’s a tough choice to make!
I don’t have many books as I am of the ravelry and pinterest generation but I am currently looking for stitch dictionaries so that I can bring some of my own ideas to life.
I love all my knitting books. Can’t seem to stop collecting. Is there a 12-step for this? I would love the Knitter’s Curiosity Cabinet to add to my collection. Here’s hoping to win!
I love books – autographed, hard back, soft back, audio & e-books! I do love them all but there is just something about a large hard back bound book in your hands … it makes you slow down & appreciate what is inside!
If I had to just pick one knitting book it would be my Vogue Knitting – The Ultimate Knitting Book. It is my go-to book when I have a question!
I would love to win a Hunter Hammerson book! I have her Ne’er-Do-Well knits book. I just Love it & her designs!
I would love to have a really good stitch dictionary. I bought a “bargain” one and nearly went crazy on the first one I tried. Turns out it had an error, and I wasn’t the reason it didn’t work. Maddening!