Knit Accessories: A Review and Giveaway

This fall I was honored by my tech editor Kate Atherley when she asked me to write a quote for the back of her second book with Cooperative Press, Knit Accessories: Essentials & Variations.  Of course I said Yes!  (and it meant I got a super early version of the book to review!)  Know what I said?
Kate Atherley has her pulse on how modern knitters think about their knitting.  Her patterns are clear, concise, and don't leave you in the dark.  If you are looking for a "go-to" basic pattern resource this is it!

As I sat down to write a review this morning I stand by that quote wholeheartedly... this book is a great modern pattern resource!  It's got basic patterns, written in at least two different gauges, for scarves, mittens, cowls, legwarmers, socks, and a variety of hat shapes. Kate delves into tips and tricks for all of these shapes, like working with the hole at the base of your thumb, and picking up stitches on a sock gusset.
I reviewed Kate's first book, Beyond Knit and Purl last spring, and Knit Accessories is perfectly matched to build on the skills that she covered in it's pages.
Looking through the book in depth I had a thought... do you think about designing but aren't sure where to start?  One could easily use the basic formulas in this book as a base for plugging in more complicated design elements and stitch patterns.  Kate goes into depth with this in her cowl chapter showing what seems to be an endless array of cowl variations by changing the yarn gauge, size of the cowl, and stitch.

So, guess what, lucky blog readers?  Kate and Cooperative Press have offered a pdf copy of Knit Accessories to one lucky winner!  So, leave a comment telling me what you think you'd love to make (or learn) with your copy if you were to win (with a way to get in touch with you) by the end of the day on Dec 23rd.  I'll choose a winner and let you know who won later in the month!

Comments

  1. I could see myself making any or all of these designs. There`s always something new to learn in the world of knitting. I would love to add this new book to my knitting library.

    Linda "Oneday" Designs www.ravelry.com/designers/linda-sellick

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  2. This looks like another must have for a knitter's library - a reference for techniques combined with cute designs. I think I need it!

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  3. Cowls, cowls, cowls! Easily the best knit-gift ever - quick, fun, and people love them. I'd love to learn more patterns.

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  4. I would really like that hint about the thumb hole solution!

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  5. I'd see myself making a cowl and could definitely learn a new technique or two.

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  6. I love the gauntlets! Simple, but beautiful!
    Tammy

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  7. Since I am a fairly new knitter, there has not been a pattern I've knitted that I didn't learn something new. This book looks like it contains mucho ideas! Would love to win it!

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  8. That is sort of how I knit, so this would be a great present for myself so my brain wouldn't hurt from all the mental math!

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  9. I would like to make the leg warmers for my daughter. She has been asking for some. Thank you.

    Leanne

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  10. I would make that colorful cowl!


    DancingLeaf06

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  11. I have definitely been wanting to try my hand at designing. I've designed one simple striped headband and written out the pattern. But that was pretty basic. I think a cowl with an interesting stitch pattern would be a good next design project to try. The book looks great!

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  12. I loved Beyond Knit and Purl - perfect for an advanced beginner such as myself, and I think the new book would be a great way to extend my skills. I am a huge cowl person, and I would love to learn to make fingerless gloves.

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  13. I would probably want to start casting on just about everything! I'd really appreciate the straight-forward instructions and learning some new tricks. Thanks!

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  14. Just with Kate for another of her great classes at The Needle Emporium in Ancaster, ON a couple of weeks ago. This one was Toe Up Socks. Her classes are great and informative and clear. These projects look inviting.

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  15. I'm currently loving cowl patterns. I love a challenge as well. Would enjoy a pdf verions of "Knit Accessories" - thank you!

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  16. I see so many great patterns but often times I want that stitch pattern in that accessory. This sounds like the book to teach me that trick. I would love to win it.

    lotsofhermies on Rav

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  17. Those fine-gauge fingerless mitts are calling my name! I'm WordLily on Rav.

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  18. Great quote for the book! Very appealing.

    I would love to make legwarmers from the book. I've had a request from a friend for legwarmers, so was delighted to see them included.

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  19. Love those striped socks! This looks like a great book to add to my knitting library.

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  20. The fingerless gloves. I am retiring this week and my goal for next year is to make more gifts. czsknits on Ravelry

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  21. So Many things look great! I would like to try designing a hat or a pair of socks. Thanks for the giveaway. Paintermom on Rav.

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  23. I love knitting socks so I think I'd love tackling a sock pattern. Thanks for the chance to win!
    marilynknits on Ravelry

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  24. I really like those stripped socks; knitting that pattern for the first time would be fun and stretch me a little more. I also really like the purple hat; that looks interesting.
    Thank you Laura!!!
    DonnaRHayes on Ravelry

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  25. I like the fingerless mittens. skaro964 on Raverly

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  26. I'd make that classic cabled sock.

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  27. Love the accessory projects. I love to modify patterns according to the yarn in my stash. Tricks always help!
    Happy Holidays Laura!
    jmargaret on Ravelry

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  28. All 3 of my DD would love the leg warmers

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  29. Since I just went outside in the snow with a flannel gown and bare shins I think I would opt for the leg warmers! :)

    socksformum on RAVELRY

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  30. I would like to try the mittens and socks. I haven't done much with those. I love to make accessories!

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  31. I love the fingerless mitts!! Sounds like I could share my creations with lots of my "posse"! hee! thanks for sharing!
    foxyb312 on ravelry

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  32. A cowl, only made one so far and would like to try more, but would also like to learn some basic techniques to add to my knitter tool box

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  33. Socks - that actually fit!!!!!! I have knit quite a few items that don't require gauge. It's time to learn and this looks to be an excellent resource. TU

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  34. I love knitting accessories. I would love to see what's in this book! I love her patterns.

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  35. Those socks look amazing! I would like to learn to knit them. Thanks for the chance :-)

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  36. I've been wanting to make a slouchy hat -- the one in the book looks perfect!

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  37. It would be fun to learn how to do some designing, and a cowl would be perfect!

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  38. I would love to learn how to knit the socks!
    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  39. I like to make small items, like cowls and mitts, and would love to have inspiration sor variations and perfecting these and the other items.

    Zowmom on Ravelry

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  40. Thanks! I love making fingerless gloves / wristies / etc. and would like to get more intricate in patterning them. Maybe even add the fingers for full-on gloves!!

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  41. I love that the patterns are written for more than one gauge. I try to work from stash when possible, and too many times I don't have quite the right weight/color combination I'm looking for. This would help solve that problem nicely.
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    Lindaran (on Rav)

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  42. Wristwarmers, leggings, cowls. Love those items right now, and the book's patterns look really cute.

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  43. Mittens are my bugaboo, so I think that's what I'd make first if I won this book. I've never suffered from second sock syndrome, but I've got the worst ever case of second mitten syndrome. I just lose all interest once I've completed the first of the pain. It's a sickness.

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  44. I'd like to try my hand at mittens. Get it? Try my "hand" at "mittens." I crack me up :) Thanks for the chance to win. rkohlman on Ravelry.

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  45. I think I would love to make some leg warmers, just cause.

    rav id is katbrown

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  46. Well, I think I would start with the fingerless mitts to wear while the snowstorm is blowing in!

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  47. I am always up for new hat patterns.

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  48. Sounds like a great resource to have?

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  49. Love those socks, and cowls and fingerless mitts. All projects that would be great to do.

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  50. I like the slouchy hat patterns and the seed stitch long cowl pattern.

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  51. Laura, I would love to have this book. I make accessories of all kinds. I love to wear cowls this time of year. I also make them in a diff gauges now due to your class "Knitting with Beads". I just got the hang of knitting socks and if this book can help me with that little hole in the gusset I'm all in.

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  53. I'm all about cowls this winter! The more the better! I'd love to try knitting the cowls in the Knit Accessories book.

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  54. I'm all about cowls this winter! The more the better! I'd love to try knitting the cowls in the Knit Accessories book.

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  55. I would love to make the fingerless gloves, they are simple yet elegant and I would love to mahe the cowl...both are well constructed and would go with anything!

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  56. I would like to make a basic hat to wear when I walk the dog.
    I have some glow in the dark yarn and might also make something in that for walking the dog at night.

    Inkdarkmoon on Rav

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  57. I have several friends with arthritis problems, either in their hands or neck. The fingerless gloves & cowls would be perfect for them & very appreciated. I love knitting for others.

    ubermadchen on Rav

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  58. Judym2012@hotmail.comDecember 23, 2012 at 9:40 AM

    I would knit a cowl, currently working on my first one, I love it!

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  59. Would love to knit a cowl and finger less mitts ... on my one "to do" list! Looks like a great book!

    Stitcherpat on rav

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