I have in my possession a review copy of The Knitter’s Curiosity Cabinet by Hunter Hammersen.
As it says on the cover, this book has 20 patterns inspired by vintage botanical illustrations. Ten different botanical illustrations are represented (and reproduced) in the book, and for each one, there are two patterns: a sock pattern, and a non-sock pattern: mitts, a hat, a cowl, or a shawl.
The cover socks (see above photo) are chysanthemum frutescens, and there is also a chysanthemum frutescens hat:
(This pattern really caught my eye because of the gorgeous green yarn used: Traveller by Verdant Gryphon in the “Ireland” colorway.)
These socks are crocus vernus:
And narcissus pseudonarcissus socks:
And linaria bipartita socks
One of the patterns for mitts is rosa rubiginosa:
As you can see, the photography is lovely, and each pattern is accompanied by several photos of the item. The charts are large and clear and there is an excellent key to the symbols used in the front of the book.
The patterns are for the most part sized in 2 or 3 different sizes (one cowl is 4 sizes and one shawl is 1 size only) so you can fit pretty much everyone. You could bet a lot of gift knitting covered with the patterns in this book.
Hunter sent me a review copy and very kindly offered to send a copy to one of my readers as well. Who would like a copy?
To be entered in a drawing to win a copy of The Knitter’s Curiosity Cabinet by Hunter Hammersen, please leave a comment on this blog post by 11:00am Eastern time on Sunday, June 24, 2012. I’ll use the Random Number Generator to choose a lucky recipient then.
Summer Solstice Mystery Shawl
Are you ready? Got your needles? Got your yarn? The first clue for the 2012 Summer Solstice Mystery Shawl will be released in a few short hours!
Lucy can hardly contain her excitement!
“A KAL? I gotta bulk up!”
Oooh, all the patterns are so pretty! Pick me, pick me!!
Looks like a book I could use.Count me in.
I’d love to win your giveaway copy! Those “sneak peek” photos are very inspiring…maybe that would be the motivation i need to get a couple sweaters finished? (It’s too hot right now to knit sweaters!)
Gorgeous book – I’d love a copy!
Myriam´s last [type] ..Sunday afternoon at the garden
I would totally love a copy! It would make a nice belated (by 3 days) birthday gift for me! And you’re right! The pictures are beautiful!
Very beautiful. I would surely love to win!
Would love to have a new pattern book. Antonia
Beautiful patterns–I love the inspiration from nature. Please enter me! Thanks
That looks like a fantastic book!
Wow, that book looks lovely. I love the theme.
Anxiously waiting, with needles in hand, for the KAL to start!
That book sounds fantastic and I just LOVE sock patterns. Count me in!!!
Kristen´s last [type] ..FO: Primavera Socks for Camp Loopy 2012
Curiouser and curiouser . . . please enter me in your drawing.
Oooh, I’d love to win a copy of this book! I’ve been wanting it for what seems like ages.
Totaly psyched by the sock patterns…..
I love those sock patterns. I would love a copy of the book.
The book looks great, very cool socks!
I’ve been hearing great reviews of this book for months now.
I have been stalking this book for weeks. It’s a beauty. Hope I”m lucky:)
Thanks,
Diane
I would be thrilled to have this book! The mitts are perfect to do for gifting! I think I would put some beading in them too! My needles, yarn and hands are all sitting here waiting!
I would love that book!
I would love to have that book – like all the sock patterns you have shown and love that beautiful green hat!
I agree with Miss Lucy – we all need to bulk up to be ready for the KAL! My needles are ready!
Very nice patterns! I would love this book!!
The yarns and patterns in this book look stunning.
I’m with Lucy! I’m so excited I need to eat!!
Ooh wow, I am trying to love socks, and this book might help!
oh! to have a book like this!! i could knit something very nice for myself
The book looks wonderful! Psst, Lucy – tell her to pick mine!
Can’t wait to start the mystery shawl…..not that I don’t have a million things already on the needles….and I want this book
Love the inspiration behind the pattern designs in this book. And…eeeek, a few short hours till the KAL begins? I’d better plunge into my stash and see who wants to be a Summer Solstice Mystery Shawl!
The patterns in this book are gorgeous! Thanks for the chance to win.
Michelle´s last [type] ..Mother’s Day Card and WIP
Awesome book! I am anxiously awaiting the KAL!
Oooh, those patterns are lovely! Enter me, please!
Nice book! I am patiently waiting for the 20th and will be rushing home from work to see the pattern.
Wow, that book looks so intriguing! I appreciate the chance to win a copy. Love that Lucy is fired up about the KAL.
This book looks great…I would love to have a copy .
I’ve had my eye on these pattern for months!
What a lovely book. Flowers and Flora along with knitting what could be better, I always entry but never win, but because you show us these beautiful books, I go out and buy them. I have alot of knitting books now. Even if I never make a thing from one of these books I love looking thru my knitting books. This would be a another nice book for me me to buy
Ahhhhhhhhhhhh! That HAT!!!!!
Oh my goodness, that looks like a fun book!
The patterns in this book look like they would be such entertaining knits.
Love the botanical socks! I would be so happy to win that book!
Me! Pick me!
The patterns look gorgeous!
Looks like a beautiful book and I love the red fingerless mitts! I’m determined to make a pair of those this fall since my office gets really cold in the winter time.
I always appreciate a review that lets me know what sizes are available in the patterns. Thanks – and please draw my number!
The socks look wonderful. I would love to knit them all!
Yes PLZ! I crochet floral themes, knitting naturally has to be included!
<3 Miss Lucy!
Sandra´s last [type] ..Wisteria, Chives, and the Orange Star Flower Child
I’d love to win a copy of the book.
I would love to have this book. Thank you for the chance to win it.
Hi Wendy,
That book looks about as yummy as your patterns do! Would love to win a copy!
Looks fun! Love love love socks.
What a great idea for a knitting book!
The colors in those pictures are so vibrant.
I would love to win a copy of the book. The cowl pattern in four sizes sounds great .
I love the botanical motifs! What fun it would be to win this book and start a new project!
This is a book I’ve been eyeing for awhile. I read Hunter’s blog, Violently Domestic, on a regular basis also, and I love her designs. Oh, how I would love to win! (And how generous of her to offer a copy for the contest.) Now I can daydream about winning the book while I work on clue 1 of my summer solstice shawl!
I would LOVE a copy of that book. I want to rush right out and knit the chrysanthemum hat! My fingers are crossed!
What beautiful sock patterns!
Some beautiful patterns in there; would love to be in to win.
Rachelle´s last [type] ..Carpet is in!
What a wonderful book, great photos!!
Beautiful patterns and a unique concept. I’d love to win.
My husband is not going to be happy about this… if I don’t win I’ll need to buy. Love the pictures and the sock patterns showcased here. Can’t wait for the KAL. Thing 1 and Thing 2 had better cooperate with their Mommy’s knitting time. Otherwise there will be some serious tickling going on at my house.
Oh I would love this book! I love those old botanical illustrations.
Can’t wait for the first KAL clue! I thought a FAL (frogalong) might be more Lucy’s style? At least *my* kitty is better at frogging than knitting. Or maybe for Lucy a BAL (blockalong).
What a wonderful idea for a pattern collection! I’d love to see the book in person…hint, hint!
I want to knit every pair of socks you’ve shown!!! Yes, I would love to start my gift knitting from this book!
Great idea for a knitting book!
I would love to receive a copy of this book. The photography is beautiful. The green hat, oh my what a lovely shade of green.
What a lovely book. I’ll have to look for it if i’m not the lucky winner
I love the concept of this book, and t’he patterns look terrific! Can’t wait to get started on a pair of those botanical socks! Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks! And scritches to Lucy.
What could be better than more sock and shawl patterns?!
I also love the green a color with complementary colors runs through my wardrobe. I uploaded my KAL swatch last night…I am ready! I am somewhat of a novice, I am excited to learn as I go using my homespun yarn with a little bit of bling in it (angelina). I am truly getting the knitting bug and hope I win the book for more inspiration. Thx Wendy, because you are an inspiration!
The book looks great!
What beautiful patterns! I’d definitely put this book to good use — in fact, if I don’t win your copy, I suspect it’s going to join my library very quickly anyway! I was just looking for some new sock patterns, and these look like JUST the kind I enjoy knitting most!
I would love to have a copy — it looks beautiful and fun! and useful!! Thanks for the chance.
-Anne
This book looks lovely. Thanks for the chance to win it. Can’t wait for clue 1 to be released! (Squirms with anticipation)
This looks like such a great book! I really like her patterns.
Wendy,
You know how to keep us on our toes…would LOVE to finally win something from you. Can’t wait for the KAL to start tomorrow!!
I am so excited for tomorrow! Just need some extra special needles!
We here at Chez Culinaire love getting free goodies. And Ozzie is still lusting after Ms. Lucy.
MRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRow!
Wow, a giveaway and a mystery KAL. . .life is good! Looking forward to year two of a mystery!
As I was reading this, my Scarlett came in and saw Lucy with her bowl. I got the ‘look’ that said, “Hey you, it’s goodie time!”
beautiful book! and i can’t wait for the kal to start.
I’d love to knit the chysanthemum frutescens socks for my feet.
Margaret
I would love to own this book! I think the accessories look beautiful.
Oh, a book that combines my favorite things, flowers and knitting!
The book looks beautiful! Thanks for another great giveaway.
Pretty designs! i wouldn’t mind adding more patterns into my collection.
I think Lucy agrees that the crocus vernus are beautiful to behold!
would love to know the yarn used in the gold socks. love that colorway!
Elizabeth´s last [type] ..Celebrations
Beautiful book! well.. patterns… LOL I still haven’t got my shawl holding up my needles done to move on to the mystery shawl…. Maybe I have to sneak a new set in… LOL
I love reading your blog. Your new cartoons are cute. This book looks awesome.
Heck ya!
I’ll need something to do if the KAL dies a terrible death on my part.
LizA´s last [type] ..Hold Please~
Would love to receive a copy of this book. The photos are beautiful – as the patterns on the socks!
Lovely patterns, I’d love to knit many of the photos shown. I’m madly winding my wool for the KAL, I received my Piddleloop large wedge (ENABLER…) yesterday so I’ll be ready and waiting when the first clue comes out – thank you Wendy!
I enjoy sock books and this looks like a geat one. My granddaughters would love for me to win because they are the ones who benefit from my sock and lace knitting.
Those projects all look complex, but I am a geek about botanical names and illustrations so I must win a copy of the book! Thanks for the sneak peek…
floribunda´s last [type] ..lots of finishes!
Wow the patterns in this new book are beautiful…count me in. Hugs, rose
I love Hunter’s patterns – oh Random Number Generator, please pick me!!!
I also can’t wait to start on this summer’s mystery shawl – time to wind my yarn!
This is so something I really would use:-) Thanks for offering it and I would really LOVE to win this book:-0
Thanks
Ellen Griffin´s last [type] ..Well….
Beautiful patterns and luscious colors!