Posted on by Bonne Marie

January 25, 2012

…Today we have: a bookie wookie Blog Tour-ie!…

If you, like many in the knitting world, have a fine appreciation of all things *positively, smashingly UK* (Downton mania, anyone?), you might have tried a British knit or two…

I’ve been stitching anglophile-ish for ages now and it was on a blustery Friday evening in March 2006 that I met one of the best: Jean Moss, a designer renowned for working for fashion houses such as Ralph Lauren, Laura Ashley, Benetton, and in the hand-knitting realm, Rowan, etc…

She shared her design timeline with us in a most lively slideshow at the Windy City Knitting Guild that lifted me and made me want to not only run home and cast on, but draw and explore and immerse myself deep into the weft.

And it’s in her new book, Sweet Shawlettes, that you can see that she is still in love with the sticks; still giving page to styles that are joyful and spontaneous, just like she…

Here you’ll find:

the Traditional:

the Whimsical:

And my favorite, Glorious Plaid:

Within the book are 25 patterns, presented in a most appealing page layout: clear, legible, with lovely graphics and photography throughout.

All in all, an enjoyable tickle of a collection that combines wit with sophistication in a lovely “wrap” of a book…

Cheers, Jean!

…to spread the cheer and get a copy of this fine book, leave a comment about what you like about small projects below by 8am CST on January 31, 2012, and we’ll draw random and announce post deadline…

And, btw, F. Habit/he of the Panopticon is next on the tour — tell him I said HELLO!!!

78 Replies to “January 25, 2012”

  3. i love small projects to use up scraps and odd balls. While I love having a ball or two of extra yarn as insurance on a project – I HATE having a ball or two leftover.

    That plaid shawlette would be great and I have enough tweed scraps to make it from stash!

  4. I like small projects because I can take them places and when people see me knitting, I get to explain what I’m making, tell them how much fun knitting is, and in that way possibly stimulate interest in the craft.

    Marie W.

  5. I like small projects because you can use them to show off that special skein of artisan yarn.

  6. Stash busting! Small projects use up those single skeins that I have left over or that I picked up on vacation.

  13. I like small projects because I’m a new knitter…and it’s a great way for me to learn new techniques! One day I’ll branch out to something bigger…but for now…small it is.

  15. I only do small projects because they are quick and easy to carry around. Thank you for the giveaway.

  17. I love the “instant gratification” of small projects, especially hats. I love the portability of small projects, everything needed goes into one small to medium tote, and hits the road with me. I’ve favorited this book on Amazon — how cool is it that you’re giving one away!! Thanks!

  19. What is not to love about the small project? They are a great ‘palette’ cleanser after a large project. They are a wonderful gauge switch during a slog-along project. They are (sometimes) instant gratification projects. They are a great way to try a different yarn, new needles, different technique, or stitch pattern. And, it is knitting, what is not to love?

  20. Small projects are great because they’re almost instant gratification and they make nice gifts. I work on them when I need a break from larger projects and throw them in the “gift bin” for whenever needed.

  21. Small projects are great for mixing things up – intricate, involved projects are great, but to keep things fresh and avoid boredom I like to take a break with something quick and easy in between.

  22. As an impatient knitter I love small projects because I can start and finish and move on to something new quickly. They also fit my budget better.

  23. I like small projects because I carry them with me and knit on the go! The element of instant gratification can’t be knocked either.

  24. I like small projects for all the reasons listed above: they’re easy to carry around and work on; they’re a great way to work with luxury yarn; they finish quickly; and they are a great way to learn and practice new techniques ( I just learned entrelac on a cowl) without feeling overwhelmed.

  25. I love small projects for being able to use amazing yarn without breaking the bank. Plus I love bring able to take my projects along with me.

  26. I like small projects to work on when I go to my knitting groups or to the doctor’s office, especially mindless knitting projects.

  27. I love small projects because they only use up small amounts of yarn so you don’t have to plan a lot when it comes to yarn buying.

  30. Small projects are the only ones I can seem to actually get done, at least within the season they are appropriate for. Thanks for the chance for the book, and thanks for all your designs.

  31. They are portable -I’m always on the go.

    Add to that they make fabulous affordable gifts and, except for socks, do not involve complicated fit issues.

  32. They’re quick, they make a nice gift, and I can afford to knit them out of expensive yarn without waiting for a sale!

  33. I like small projects because they’re portable, they allow me to use special skeins, and they often delight the recipients when my small projects become gifts!

  35. As everybody else has said, small projects are great for portability and quickness of knitting up a finished garment. Also, I love being able to see the pattern unfold to satisfy my instant gratification need. And I can justify buying an expensive skein of beautiful yarn, since I’ll only need one.

  36. i love small projects because they are quick you get a good feeling of accomplishment when you finish.. It Inspires me to draw and design my own small projects and hopfully maybe in the future big projects. ♥

  37. Isn’t this the most bestest book on shawlettes – well-named indeed! Love several of her designs in it and it’s on my ‘wish’ list. What’s not to love about small projects? – stash-busters, finished immediatement, (well, maybe almost!), I can used luxury yarns without breaking the bank, one-size fits all for gifting, they travel easily – they fit the bill!!

  38. Hmmm what I like about small projects is that they definitely do not languish in my UFO pile. Then the pleasure you get from finishing is soon worth it! Love the wide selection of projects in this book…especially the whimsical.

  40. Small projects give you the chance to try out new techniques without committing to a whole sweater of new techniques. They also give you a sense of accomplishment quickly.

  41. Small projects are great because (1) they work up too quickly to get boring and (2) they go wherever I go.

  42. I love small projects because you can work on them in bits without getting too confused when you have to set it down

  43. I like small projects because when I mess them up it’s not nearly as costly in both time and dollars! I’ve become quite an adept tinker and ripper.

  45. Small projects go fast and go everywhere – bonus, bonus!

    BTW, that plaid is abso-freakin amazing!

  46. Portability, affordability, variation, I like to have a small project on the go when I have a big project in progress so that there is some relief from the big project.

  47. The book looks fantastic! I always have at least four (usually more) WIP’s including a small one in my little green ‘knowknits’ bag. I grab it whenever I go out. I can snap it on my purse. My small projects are usually socks or scarves or shawlettes!

  48. Small projects usually have practical uses: mittens, booties, scarfs, hats. They are inexpensive as they use little yarn, and are a good avenue to try different stitches or use a few yards of leftover specialty yarns.

  49. I like small projects because they actually get finished. I have a few sweaters that are done except for the putting together part – some are several years old!

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