Here is the back of my gansey-type sweater, which I completed yesterday.
I’ve got some neck shaping there so the neckband won’t be too high up on the neck, and I’ve got the shoulder stitches on holders so I can attache the front and back via a three-needle bind-off.
I’m making this sweater from Blue Sky Alpacas Skinny Cotton (in the gravel colorway). I’d heard great things about this yarn so wanted to try it out for myself. It lives up to the hype — it’s a soft and lovely cotton. My only gripe with it is that it tends to be a little splitty since it is made up of many plies. So I have to pay closer attention as I knit.
But all in all it is a lovely yarn with great stitch definition.
Extra Yarn
Last week I was sent a review copy of this book:
This is Extra Yarn, by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Jon Klassen.
It’s a cute little story for kids ages 4 and up about a little girl who finds — well the blurb on the sleeve says it all:
The illustrations are wonderful:
Who’d like to win my review copy?
Leave a comment on this post by noon Eastern Time on Thursday, January 19, 2012 to be entered in the drawing to receive my copy.
Lucy’s Plan for the Day
Oooh! I’d love this for my daughter!
I think this would be a great birthday present for my daughter.
I love Lucy’s plan for the day, kinda wish I could do the same..
That looks like a wonderful book. I would love the chance to win it for my 6 year old daughter. Could be a great bedtime story.
Megan´s last [type] ..Fantastic Friday Giveaway
That looks like a lovely book, I’d like to be in the drawing. Lucy’s plans look wonderful, wish I could share in them.
OMg this book is made of such win! i love the style of the illustrations!
-Maggie
I know a certain 3 year old (and his mommy) who would LOVE a new bedtime story.
Erin´s last [type] ..Episode 41 – Fan-Freakin-Tabulous
Sounds like the perfect book to read to a class of 2nd graders which I am supposed to do March 2nd as part of a statewide program to encourage reading!
love children’s books and ones with knitting, extra fun
Thanks, as always, for offering such a lovely book up to your readers. I know the three kids of this knitting mom would be thrilled to have that one in their library.
Looking forward to seeing the next steps in the gansey!
Please enter me in the drawing! The book looks lovely!
I would love to read this to my nieces – one of them is even learning to knit already!
My children would love that book!
I have a few nieces who are at the perfect age for this book. It looks wonderful!
Thanks for making it available to your readers.
Jamie´s last [type] ..Good Start to the New Year
I like Lucy’s plan for the day! And your knitting looks great. I haven’t knit much with cotton, but that has great definition.
ccr in MA´s last [type] ..Links and Videos
Thanks for the give away. My girls would get a chuckle about a book about yarn.
Your sweater is looking lovely. The book does look adoreable but I don’t have any little ones, don’t include me in the drawing. Can’t wait to see your sweater finished.
My grandkids would love this. Thanks for the opportunity!
Ooo cute book. Boyfriends eldest granddaughter has been fascinated by my knitting and she likes bedtime stories
Whether I win or not, this book is destined to be on my bookshelves. Thanks!
Kali´s last [type] ..Shaving Socks
Oh my little three year old would love this!
Katherine´s last [type] ..Video Thursdays
I’d love to read the book to my little cousins!
I would love to win that book for my 7-y/o daughter. She is learning how to knit and loves finding yarn.
My 4 yr old DD would love this book! Thanks!
jamie´s last [type] ..so many pics!
Oh wow, that book looks ADORABLE!!!
Your Gansey-type looks lovely, the book enticing, and Lucy? Well, lets just say I think she has the right idea for a cold sunday. Thanks for a chance to win.
Chris´s last [type] ..My Window . 15
My two almost-5-year old godchildren would dearly love this book. Thank you for offering it to us. Hugs to Lucy when she awakens from her nap.
As a part-time Children’s Librarian, I have a personal collection of storytime books. This one would make a great addition.
I would love it!!!
What a great way to indoctrinate…. ahem, introduce… my children to knitting!
just love Lucy’s plan for the day — still in my pj’s. My grandaughter loves to see me knit and proudly wears what I have made (she will be 3 on the 21st) would love to win so we can read the story together and maybe instill the love of all things fiber as she grows up. Thanks for offering it to the RNG to share.
This is the cutest looking book! I would love to win and give this book to my little niece, Bree. I have been giving her knitting themed books since she was born. I had not seen this one yet. Thanks for sharing!
What an adorable book! I would love to win it. Pick me! Pick me!
Lovely! I’ve built a small collection of children’s book around the subject of knitting. This would be a great addition. I’m really anxious to see your finished sweater. The color is so nice!
Count me in! I have a daughter who loves to read.
Cutest book ever! Count me in for the drawing. And by the way, in response to that past post, you ARE a really fast knitter! It cracks me up that you don’t really feel that you are. It also amazes me that you STILL seem to finish projects so quickly even when following complex charts. I don’t know how you do that…
Kristen´s last [type] ..“To Do Lists”
I would love to win the book! It looks adorable (just like Lucy)!
I would love to win that book for my niece!
My nieces would love that book – too cute!
Hi Wendy – I am always interested in learning why people make the choices they do when sewing garment pieces together. I am curious as to why you’ve selected a 3-needle bind-off for this gansey. Would you be willing to share your thinking on this? Thanks!
That book looks adorable! My son is fascinated by my knitting & he loves to read, so what a great combo!
Oh how wonderful! I would love to be entered for my niece. She loves everything hand crafted!
Walden121´s last [type] ..Perry’s Plate
Wendy, it was a book similar to this one that brought me back to knitting about 8 years ago. I can’t remember the title, but it was about a princess whose father locked her in a tower to keep her safe. One year, for her birthday, she received a trunk full of yarn. She knit herself a red wolf suit, snuck out, and had adventures. My daughter was 4 when we checked out the book from the library. We read it many times, and then one day she asked, “Mama, can YOU knit?” I had to show her that I, indeed, did know how. I’ve been knitting like crazy ever since. DD recently completed her first scarf and hat set. There’s no way to say how proud she was of her accomplishment. Maybe this book that you are offering will start another family down the knitting path. Thanks for making it available.
That looks like a wonderful book that my children (both knitters!) would enjoy!
I love kid’s books!
I have four children & that would be a cute book to read them!
I’ve been eagerly awaiting this book – thanks for the chance to win a copy!
I say never deny yourself a good book, and would love an opportunity to win. Thanks so much.
Ooooh! Pick me! Pick me!
Would love to give it to m niece.
I would love to win that book! Please pick me! Thank you.
I hope I get to read this to my to-be-born-in-June grandbaby!
With seven grandchildren (four of them girls) I think this book would come in very useful at Grandma’s house. Your sweater is looking lovely. I can hardly wait to see it finished.
My artistic grandson would love this book. Hope the random number generator smiles on me.
Add a me too for hoping for a copy of the book. As a teacher I am always looking for ways to indoctrinate my students to the wonders and magic of wool and other fine fibers. BTW, while I have to drive during my commute, I am trying to take a bit of guidance from you and trying to commit to at least a half hour of knitting everyday. While I still don’t have your level of output, I am certainly showing more progress! Common sense but yet profound in it’s simplicity.
That is the perfect book for a little friend of mine (especially if I can knit something to go with it).
Lucy and I are thinking alike today – it’s cold, cold, cold in Calgary. Your gansey’s looking good! Would love to have the book, maybe it’s my time…
Hi Wendy & Lucy: Please put my name in the drawing…Nice looking book,
My Grandchildren would love it.
Hummm, “extra yarn”. Seems like an oxymoron, but a delightful book.
I would love to win the book. I have two little boys, one just learning to knit and one who wants to learn. This would go over well with them.
Katie´s last [type] ..Plodding along
That would be a great book for my niece, who’s favorite christmas present was a set of knitting needles.
Sue´s last [type] ..Darkness
I would love a chance to win this book. It looks darling.
My 3yr old grandaughter loves books and loves my knitting…. she has her own yarn that she like to play with. We would love this book. Thanks for the opportunity.
I’ve got 2 girls who should learn that my extra yarn is an asset, not a liability. Looks adorable!
Oooh, I’d love to win that book!
Oooo! I would love this book. Well, more correctly, my niece’s four children would love to have it read to them by their parents.
LoriG´s last [type] ..Curl Up With a Book
The book looks really cute. I’d love to have a copy.
Cute book, would love to read it to my girls
Cute book. Would love it for my boys!!
I like Lucy’s plan for the day!! Thanks for the chance to win:)
Lee Cockrum´s last [type] ..Something fun and exciting! (To me at least!)
The book looks terrific. I would love to win a copy!
I have long collected books that tell special stories. I’ve never heard of this one though. I’d love the chance to win!
Your latest sweater is great. You are right that the stich definition is wonderful. Thanks for sharing.
OOH, it even has kitties in it! I’d love to give it a good home.
Denise and the Six-Pack
(sadly, no longer the Six-Pack + 1. Our Matriarch, Tessa, went to the Rainbow Bridge on Thursday. I miss her SO much!)
Yes, please! Thank you for all your giveaway opportunities!
I would be thrilled if I won!
this book looks so cute! i’d love to add it to my collection of children’s/knitting books!!
Always a joy to read your posts. Seeing the pics of Lucy always put a smile on my face.
Sounds like a cute story! Would love a chance to win.
Would love to have this for my granddaughters who love my extra wool.
My granddaughter LOVES books just as much as I love yarn! Thanks for the opportunity to win!
I would love to win a copy. I love cats!
I would love this for my grandson!
Too cute! Looks like something I would have liked to share with my students when I was teaching! Would love to have a copy!
Hugs!
I would love to win this. I have two granddaughters that would absolutely love this book
That book looks so, so sweet! I<d love to have it on our shelves.
kelli ann´s last [type] ..We have a winner in Draw #1! Et pour le gagnant des chaussettes novice::
Sounds like a great book for my daughter’s pre-K class. Yes, we are both knitters. I just have more time to enjoy it!!
Love to have such a plan for my day! What wonderful imaginations Barnett and Klassen must have. My Mum, mother of 13, who now has difficulty seeing but who loved to knit and faithfully knit my Dad socks, would love to have one of us read this to her and she could still enjoy the illustrations….As a second love was childrens` literature, which she shared with us and the children she taught as a Montessorri teacher for many years, it would be doubly special.
Ooh please please please let me be the lucky one!
Oh what a lovely book to read with my grandchildren!!! Thank you for your generous offer! I hope I win!~
Maria
That book is adorable looking. My brother in laws foster girls would love it! Thanks for the notes about the cotton yarn you are using in your project. I always love little tid bits of info about yarns and patterns!
Rachel´s last [type] ..Deviation for Aromatherapy Fun
My second graders are fascinated by knitting. I’d love to bring them a book about yarn!
My name is Gail and I approve Lucy’s plan.
I also want the book to read to my grandson… his gramma knits for him (yes, that’s me)
Hey, as a second grade teacher, with students that know I knit, this would be a great book to share with them!
Rusty´s last [type] ..Buy One, Get One Free Wool Ease Thick and Quick at Michael’s
As an elementary school librarian, I would LOVE a book for all the kiddies to read!
I would love this book! I work in a school library.
What a wonderful-looking book! I’d love to read it with my granddaughter!
Please enter me in the book raffle. My granddaughter is learning to knit and it looks like a book she would enjoy. Thanks, Lindsey
weavinfool´s last [type] ..To blog or not to blog…
OMG ME ME ME! I have been waiting for this to come in at the library but I would love to have a copy of my own to read to my two boys!
I too would love to share the book with my twin granddaughters who are crazy for books and when they’re at my house, like to play with yarn (my leftover stash). Now if it were to be thought of as “magical yarn”…. Your sweater looks super too.
Pick me! Pick me! Pick me! I’d love to have this cute book to share! Thank you!