First, the winner. Judy (who has been emailed) has won my review copy of Refined Knits: Sophisticated Lace, Cable, and Aran Lace Knitwear by Jennifer Wood. Thanks to all who entered the giveaway!

Next, the cowl. My Bohus Cowl is complete and the pattern is now available on Ravelry!

Thank you once more to my long-suffering colleague Lemiel for modeling the cowl.

All of the details of the cowl are on its Ravelry page.

The outside is my interpretation of a Bohus design

The lining is a simple wave design.

It’s big enough to wrap around your neck twice but you could easily make one half the diameter.

The pattern price is $5.00 but this is included in my Half-Off Leap Year sale (going on through March 13), so once you put the pattern in your cart, the discount is automatically taken and your cost is $2.50. Such a deal!

Finally, a new book.

This is Ami Ami Kittens: Seriously Cute Crochet! by Mitsuki Hoshi and let me tell you — they are not exaggerating with the subtitle “Seriously cute!” I cannot begin to describe how cute it is.

The book has patterns for 12 different cat breeds/colorways: Calico, Scottish Fold, Solid white, Ragdoll, Munchkin, Bicolors, British Shorthair, Russian Blue, American Shorthair, Siamese, Tabby, and Tuxedo.

Here is the Table of Contents

One of the things that makes this book so squee-worthy (that is so a word!) is the photography. Each cat breed has a two-page photo spread.

Here is the “Solid White” kitty photo spread.

And the Scottish Fold:

And the Munchkin — look at the short little legs!

And of course, the Ragdoll. One of the Ragdolls is on his back, demonstrating the “Ragdoll flop.”

I don’t crochet well — I can do a chain and a passable single crochet, but that’s about it. So I asked a colleague who does crochet to take a look at the book and she says the patterns are very well-written and thorough.

Since I don’t crochet, I’ll pass along my review copy (albeit reluctantly) to one of you. Who’d like it?

To be entered in a drawing to receive my review copy, leave a comment on this blog post by noon Eastern Time next Wednesday, March 16, and I’ll select a winner at random from the comments posted.

Loki sez:

Call that a Ragdoll flop? This is a Ragdoll flop!

Before I launch into this next book review, I am pleased to report that the winner of my review copy of New Directions In Sock Knitting: 18 Innovative Designs Knitted From Every Which Way by Ann Budd is Susan (sjanova), who has been emailed.

And I have another book to show you.

This is Refined Knits: Sophisticated Lace, Cable, and Aran Lace Knitwear by Jennifer Wood, published by Interweave.

There are eighteen patterns in this book, which you can preview on Ravelry here. There’s a nice assortment of items represented: sweaters, cardis, a hat, fingerless mitts, wraps, and cowls.

One of my big issues with a lot of patterns for garments that I see is that they look unfinished to me. They are lacking the nice details that sets apart a thoughtfully designed garment from something that just looks thrown together. No neatly worked neckband or hem, just a rolled edge — one of my pet peeves.

So that’s one of the reasons I like this book so much — everything looks thoughtfully designed and beautifully finished. Some of my favorites:

This is Idril, knit in fingering weight yarn, available in a wide range of sizes. I love how the center cables extend up from the bottom of the sweater to frame the v-neck.

Brielle is a cardigan that is also knit from fingering weight yarn, also available in a wide range of sizes. I love the complex braided cable that makes up the front bands.

Estee is a cowl knit in worsted weight yarn that pairs cables with lace — with beautiful results.

And Elodie is a pattern for fingerless knits that include a lot of lovely details, including a picot edge, kint from a sportweight yarn.

The patterns are well-written, detailed, and offer tips and notes on construction.

Who’d like my review copy?

To be entered in a drawing to receive my review copy, leave a comment on this blog post by noon Eastern Time next Wednesday, March 9, and I’ll select a winner at random from the comments posted.

WendyKnits Pattern Sale

Don’t forget: all my patterns available for sale on Ravelry are now 50% off through March 13. No coupon code needed, just add them to the cart and the discount will be automatically taken. No limit — buy as many as you want.

My Bogus Bohus Cowl pattern will be released before this sale is over.

Loki is demonstrating his usual level of excitement at such announcements.