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Thursday, May 3, 2012

Book Review and GIVEAWAY: Complements Collection

Bijou Basin Ranch yarn has kicked off it's new 'Bijou Spun' publishing division with the Complements Collection by Kristin Omdahl.  The collection is 7 knit and 6 crochet projects in a 28 page booklet that is available in both hardcopy and digital formats.

Chevrons and shells both knit and crochet are well represented in this collection.  The count includes 2 shawls (one knit, one crochet), 1 unisex hat & mitts set (knit), 1 hat and scarf set (crochet), crochet wristlets, 2 short ascot scarves (1 knit, 1 crochet), 1 knit shawlette, 1 knit cowl, 1 crochet cowl, 1 knit capelet. Did I get it all? It's a bunch!  And considering accessories are among the quickest and most universally wearable projects, you will definitely find something to love in the collection.

Teaming up with Bijou Basin Ranch Yarn must have been a real jackpot! Kristin was given free reign to create with some of the most luscious fibers on the planet. These extravagant fibers may seem out of reach and yet, Kristin designed with 3 balls or fewer of each of the company's exotic blend fibers. The smaller projects and using sock yarns with generous yardage makes the yarns much more accessible.

My favorite crochet project in the bunch is the Protea textured hat and keyhole scarf set. It's just lovely, looks so warm and elegant. It looks like it would have good stretch for comfortable wearing. Though most of the projects in the book have either knit charts or crochet stitch diagrams to accompany them, this particular pattern does not. At less than one page for both the hat and scarf together, perhaps the pattern is easy enough without the extra support of a diagram.

Oh!  I see in the little bio of Kristin on the back cover it lists one of her books as "The Finer Edge"  HMMM? I didn't know about that book!  Is it new, (running over to Amazon real quick to look....) Oh yes!  This is her newest book scheduled to come out in January 2013. Crochet edgings and trims.  Here's the Amazon link to all of her lovely books.

I'm Intrigued by the knit Gladiolus XOXO Hugs & Kisses knit hat and wristlets set.  On the Yarn Thing podcast with Marly Bird, Kristin said that even people new to "in the round" knit might enjoy this pattern because the beginning part of the hat is worked on straight needles before transitioning to circulars!  That in itself made me take another look at this unisex pattern. Get the book or listen to Marly's podcast to hear the funny story of the subliminal? message Kristin stitched right into that hat! 

To see all 13 knit and crochet projects, find them on Ravelry, here's the link.  

To enter for the random drawing for a digital copy of Complements Collection, leave a comment including your first name, last initial, and city on THIS post by Sunday May 6, 2012 11:59 pm EST.  Because this is a digital prize, the giveaway is open to everyone, not just US residents.  You may enter only once and a winner will be chosen at random.  The winner will be announced on Monday, here on the blog. The winner will need to write me with your email address at Ellen @ GoCrochet dot com  (take out the spaces, trade the word "dot" for and actual dot. If the prize is not claimed by emailing me by Tuesday night, 11:59 pm May 8, 2012, another winner will be chosen.

If you are following Kristin's blog tour, tomorrow's stop is...Shannon Okey at www.Knitgrrl.com

Here's a photo of me with the fine folks at Bijou Basin Ranch at TNNA 2? years ago?  Starting left front, Designer, Simona Merchant-Dest, Carl, owner of BBR, Marly's Momma is behind Carl, in the white in the back and moving forward is Eileen, owner of BBR, Kristin Omdahl, me, and Marly Bird, Creative Director for BBR.



30 comments:

Renee said...

Thatt looks like such a fun book!
Renee H, dayton, oh

Katalin said...

Loving this :)
Katalin V. from Budapest, Hungary

carrieR said...

So excited about this!
Carrie R.

I'll Pour said...

Dawn J , Wichita, KS
I look forward to viewing this book. It looks like it may have a retro feel.

Alley Talley said...

Looks like a very interesting book!

Valerie T.
Wetumpka, AL

Nicole said...

Oh my, the Amaryllis Knit Hourglass capelet in this is beautiful! And the Tulip Tiered Cowl...oh so many choices in here. I love all the patterns!

Nicole J., Sterling, VA

Ashley said...

Thanks for the giveaway, love it!
Ashley T.
Grand Blanc, MI

Dena said...

Great book - hope I win it
Dena R Emmett ID

Kim said...

Looks great!

Kim T.
Victoria, BC

Anonymous said...

I have one skein of their yarn, If I win I will finally have a reason to use it.

Fracksmom on Ravelry

Marolee
Whittier, CA

Teresa said...

Love Kristin's stuff!

Kacy said...

I love chevrons and shells. This looks like a great collection --Kacy Beaumont, TX

Imajinthat said...

This book looks so dynamic. I can not wait to see it.
Evelyn, Jacksonville, Fl

Anonymous said...

I'm anxious to see the keyhole scarf you're talking about; I knit one for my mom this Christmas, and it was such a beautiful and satisfying project for a small amount of yarn. Love knit and crochet!

Maren M. Albuquerque, NM

Anna Bananas said...

So Awesome! I can't wait to get a copy of this book - I have so many luscious yarns that I only have a skein or two of and would LOVE to make something beautiful with them! Can't wait!
Anna H - Lebanon, OH

Iesadora said...

Pretty, pretty!!

Lisa M.
Long Beach, CA

turvid said...

:)
Turid M, Oslo

Sherry said...

Great book!
Sherry Y, Outlook, SK.

Anonymous said...

I have her Seamless Crochet book and I've loved making the Ninja Star Shawl... Laura D, London UK

SpringSplndr said...

I am looking forward to either winning or purchasing this book. I have 5 1/2 skeins of Bijou Basin Ranch yarn just waiting for the perfect projects! Thanks for hosting the contest.

KK said...

Looks like a great book. I would love to win it!

Kareena K.
Assiniboia, SK Canada

Unknown said...

Thanks for hosting the giveaway!

Jamie S.
Langhorne, PA USA

Anonymous said...

Very generous giveaway! Thankyou

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for the chance to win this great book!
Carmen N, Galesville

Getting Hooked said...

Teresa R.
Colorado Springs, CO USA

Getting Hooked said...

Looks great!
Teresa R.
Colorado Springs, CO USA

Anonymous said...

Looks fanyastic.
Debra S from Sydney Australia

Frankly Beka said...

Spiffy. Looks like fun.
Beka F., Salem, OR

Marcie said...

The patterns look great! Thank you for the opportunity

Victoria C said...

The book looks interesting.
Victoria C, Oakton, VA

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