Yesterday I finished my Diamond Gansey and carefully laid it out to photograph it:
As you can see, my little helper is on the job.
To recap, I knit this from Blue Sky Alpacas Skinny Cotton in the “Gravel” colorway, using a U.S. size 5 needle.
Here’s a close-up of the shoulder seam, joined with a three-needle-bind-off:
I may or may not write up the pattern for this at some point.
Now, lookie what I have:
This is a review copy of the newly revised Principles of Knitting by June Hemmons Hiatt, which is scheduled to be released on February 14, 2012.
The revision/reprint has been in the works for a while now, so I am delighted to actually have physical proof of this in my hands.
What can I say about this book? The original edition from 1989 has been out of print for ages and copies of it would sell for insane amount of money.
This edition has been revised and updated. Since I have never seen the original, I can’t tell you how different this version is from that. But I can tell you that this version is pretty darn comprehensive. It’s kind of hard to do a review that covers the whole thing.
I picked a topic — picking up stitches.
There is a whole chapter devoted to this — 23 pages worth. And it includes pretty much everything you need to know about picking up stitches, with lots of very clear illustrations.
And also very clear photos.
I note that an e-book version is being released as well as the hardcopy. I tend not to get knitting e-books, but I think this is one I will get. I think it will be very handy to have all this knowledge readily available via my electronic devices I always have with me. The hardcopy book weighs over 4 pounds so it will stay at home. 
Because I am pushy, when the publisher contacted me to offer me a review copy, I asked for two., one for me and one to give away.
Who wants it?
To be entered in the random drawing for a copy of Principles of Knitting, leave a comment on this blog post by noon on Thursday, February 2, 2012. At that time I will use my WordPress plugin app to randomly select a winner.
Leaving a comment on this blog post is the only way to enter. Do not use the “contact me” link directly below the header — that sends me an email. Do not leave a comment on a different blog post — the plugin app will select only from comments on this entry. The link to enter a comment is right below the title of this post, which is “Diamonds and POK.”
Lucy sez:
“What? It’s my job to help!”
I’d love to get a copy of POK and see what all the fuss has been about. I love your helper.
I can’t wait to add this book to my library!! My sister has the original so I have been lucky enough to have access to the original but looking forward to having a copy of my own!
Amy Lamash´s last [type] ..Vogue Knitting Live Here I Come!
Looks fabulous. I hope you pick me!
What a beautiful sweater and what a cool book!
I’d love to have a copy of this book. And your sweater is beautiful too!
OMG, the best give away ever! And beautiful sweater by the way.
The Diamond Gansey came out beautifully! I would love a copy of the book!
Evelyn
i would love a copy to add to my library. just read a review elsewhere and it was wonderful.
Oh, pick me, pick me!
(And my son say hi to Lucy–he loves seeing her.)
Thanks for offering this wonderful giveaway!
I am so intrigued by this book. I’d never heard of it until reading about it in Yarn Market News, but it seems like it would be perfect for just about any research use!
DPUTiger´s last [type] ..WiP Wednesday
That looks like an amazing resource! I would love a copy of it.
They have been talking about releasing this for years – I’m glad they have a date! I’m looking forward to seeing this book because I’ve heard so much about it. Good reference books are priceless.
Holy smokes, there will be an ebook version too? Going to amazon.com RIGHT NOW. Thanks!!!!
eboni´s last [type] ..There’s nothing like starting over
What a great book. Would love to win a copy!
Now I’m going to have to get a copy of that book (if I don’t win one). Picking up stitches is one of the things I want to learn how to do properly!
Who couldn’t use a copy?!?!? Well, maybe soneone who doesn’t knit, but then what if they started knitting, or someone they know started knitting and then they might want one. In any case, I’m happy to throw my name into the hat for this drawing!
Sandy Z.´s last [type] ..My Christmas Socks
That books looks sooooo handy! Thanks for the contest
Imogene´s last [type] ..Joy of completion
This would be a great reference to have.
My mother had the original version of this book but gave it away before I took to knitting seriously. I would love to have the updated version.
Looks like a great book to have as a reference. I love your finished gansey, too. So nice to have a helper on the job, isn’t it?
Kathy´s last [type] ..Paella a la Costco
Love the way the sweater came out. Lucy is a sweetheart for helping you. A great little helper makes all the difference.
POK POK POK POK POK POK POK POK!!
Love your sweater too! Green is my favorite color!
Mo´s last [type] ..Booties to boot
I love this sweater! Thanks for sharing your progress and thoughts as you knit-I learnso much from you.
I, too would love to have a copy of POK, thanks for the giveaway.
Wish I had a great helper like Lucy! Thanks for begging another copy and giving us a chance to win one!
That does sound like a wonderful reference book — and I’m with you, it might be worth putting on the electronic devices! Your new sweater looks so comfortable. Very nice.
Wow! What an awesome looking book! Thanks for giving me a chance to win a copy.
That book looks amazing! Almost as good as your sweater!
Such an amazing book! Thank you so much for this give-away.
I would love to win the book!
Best regards
Gunilla
I’ve been looking and hoping ever since June Hemmons Hiatt announced at a Stitches West that she was working on a revised edition and it should be out “soon”.
I think that must have been about ten years ago.
I’m so glad it is finally here and that it will be available in e-format. Thanks for insisting on an extra copy and thinking of us.
Jamie´s last [type] ..Something Old, Something New
What a great resource!!
Beautiful sweater. The book looks wonderful too – exactly what I need handy for my ongoing questions of “How should I be doing that?”. It definitely goes on my short list of must-haves… And might even be the first ebook I get, too. Thanks for such a useful review and giveaway!
Soo looking forward to the book. The sweater is wonderful. What terrific detail and care. Thanks for sharing.
I’m soooooo excited this is coming out!!!
Would love the book.
At my house, the best place to look for anything we can’t find is under a cat!
Yes, it sounds like this would be a good book for those of us who would like to be a little less dependant on patterns.
Laura Conrad´s last [type] ..News of the week of January 24, 2012
I love the chance to win this book. Thanks for the contest.
Lovely sweater! I’d love to win this book!
Your sweater is gorgeous! Any concern about weight or stretching with the cotton?
POK looks like a great book. Will have to keep my eyes open for the digital copy too.
Kerry´s last [type] ..Happy New Year
Oooh, I would love to win a copy of this book. Even if I don’t win, it’s going on my Amazon wishlist immediately!
I haven’t really gone in for ebook knitting books either, but I see real value in having a basic book in ebook for when you are stuck and away from home! I’d still love to win the hard copy for home use!
Thanks for getting a copy to give away.
This book sounds like a must-have in a serious knitter’s library. Therefore, I’d love it in mine! Thanks for the opportunity to win.
Deb´s last [type] ..Back to Reality
I need a good knitting reference book! I hope I can win it…
I’d love to win a copy of POK!
I bow to the master…
I’d love to own this book. I missed out on the last edition so I don’t want to miss out on this one.
Pick me, pick me! I would love your copy!
The sweater is gorgeous! Thanks for doing a great giveaway!
Jan´s last [type] ..The New Addiction!
Heck yes, I want that. That book looks amazing.
Great reference book. I’d like to have both hard copy and ebook.
Looks very interesting. I think I feel like you do about e-books. It’s just not the same. But I do get how this encyclopedia would be great to bring along everywhere.
Little Miss S.´s last [type] ..An extra proof
Thanks for being pushy!! I’d love to win a copy of Principles of Knitting.
I’d love this book. I am putting it on my wishlist on Amazon, but winning it would be great! I love how Lucy helps you:)
What an incredible resource! I bet I can wear out this book with all I’d like to learn.
If you are a cat, the best places in the house to sit are either where your human is sitting, or on top of something she is trying to use/read/block. My cat is particularly fond of running over and laying down on clothes when I lay them out on the bed to get dressed.
Wow, that looks like *the* book to have! The e-book is going on my wish list for sure, but would love a physical copy :3
Thank you for being pushy and getting two copies!
I would love to have it. If I don’t win I will probably go order it for me and make my local library buy it for the knitters in the community.
the sweater is gorgeous — I love 3nbo since it not only gives a clean, crisp seam, you can match the stitch patterns, too! Lovely.
I’d love a copy of the book ….
Mary G.´s last [type] ..Feast Day: St. Thomas Aquinas, doctor of the Church
My knitting skills are ‘under construction.” This looks like an excellent addition to my library. Never too old to learn!
Love your gansey.
I would love to win a copy of this fantastic book. Thanks for thinking of your readers!
Dawn
i would love to have a copy of the book.
your sweater is beautiful. i love it.
It sounds like a great reference and would love to have a copy.
That was so smart of you to request two copies! I’d love to be entered in the draw.
pogknits´s last [type] ..Dyed Locks
Oh, yes, me please!
The odds are long for this sort of thing, though, so I should probably just see about planning this into my knitting budget.
Still, fingers crossed (:
I have been thinking about getting an all-inclusive knitting book. (As of right now, I use you-tube when I run across something I am not familiar with…it can be interesting) I’d love a copy of this one!
Would love to have a great book like that!
Love the sweater! Lucy is such a good assistant. Maybe one of these days I will win one or your giveaways!
Your sweater looks great! I think I will get an e-copy of that book as well – looks like it is full of good info to have with you!
4 lbs is a lot of book!
I would love a copy of that book! A good comprehensive knitting reference book is so valuable.
Gosh, this book sounds wonderful! Win it or not, I think it is going to somehow end up in my collection! Thanks for being so persuasive with the publisher!
That Book looks fantastic-like a knitting text book. I love it.
I’m all in, thanks!
This looks like a fantastic book! A must-add to my wish list.
I love your blog and I’d love to have a copy of the POK book.
I would love to have the extra copy. There is so much I have yet to learn about knitting! Please put me in the drawing and thank you very much for being so generous.
What an incredible wealth of information. Please enter me for the drawing. Come on magic random number generator!!
Love the sweater, it looks amazing! This book is a must own and I will be buying my copy if I don’t win this one. Thanks for the great giveaway.
Genevieve´s last [type] ..Beekeeper – Striped Turtle Toes, Self-striping Sock Yarn
sounds like a wonderful book. I’d love to have it
I see your helper is very vigilant about her duties! I would love to win this book!
Walden121´s last [type] ..Happy Birthday to Woo!
What is it about newly made garments that makes cats want to claim them as beds, and dogs snuffle all over them? Love the Gansey.
I’ve already put in an expedited pre-order for my copy of POK….Can’t wait til it arrives. Xxx
yeah!!! It is back. The prices have been crazy. I would love to have this on my shelf.
K
Oo lovely. POK me!
I wouldn’t mind winning this one!
Like your sweater, want the book!
Sarah´s last [type] ..Ice Hockey, Edwardian England, and MLK
Beautiful sweater. Beautiful cat. Looks like a great book.
I’ve read lots of good things about this book and would love to have it. I like your sweater too, nice that you have a helper.
I have heard of this magical book! I’d love to win a copy. But otherwise, I think I’ll be picking up my own copy anyway.
Thanks for the opportunity to win such a beautiful book. And thanks too, for all the knitting inspiration from your blog!
Would love to have a copy of the revised POK.
This is a book I have been anxiously awaiting. I, too, plan on having both the hardcover and electronic versions.
Oh yes always could use a new book! Please eneter me
Oh, How I would love a copy of this book! Good for you for being pushy!
I would love a copy of this book. I think it would answer so many questions I have. Thank you!
I have one of those knitterly helper kitty beasts. She’s in the bedroom now, staring at the bin where I hid the Alpaca. She has a thing for Alpaca…
I’d love to have it, but I’m too cheap to buy it. Thanks for being pushy and giving us all a chance.
garret´s last [type] ..It’s a Saturday
I would love to win a copy of POK — it looks like a fabulous resource! Thanks
floribunda´s last [type] ..Give-away #2 Winner!