Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Book Review & Giveaway: 50 Sunflowers to knit, crochet & felt

50 Sunflowers to knit, crochet & felt by Kristin Nicholas is a book that I have looked forward to with much anticipation. I just couldn't wait to see what Kristin would come up with next.

Kristin has already authored several really beautiful books like: 
Color by Kristin: How to Design your own Beautiful Knits
Kristin Knits
Knitting for Baby
Kids Knitting
Kids Embroidery
Colorful Stitchery
Knitting Today's Classics
Knitting the New Classics

All of her books are rich with her signature color talent. All her books can be found here. She even has her own line of yarn that can help you get that same saturated color style. Her yarn line is called Color by Kristin and is distributed by Classic Elite.

 And now....
Sunflowers is a natural subject matter for Kristin. She and her family have a sheep farm with a popular blog following. On the blog she photographs all the elements of farm and home life including the sheep, her whimsical interior decor and the landscape that encompasses it all.... including the iconic sunflowers.  All of it can be found on her blog, Getting Stitched on the Farm and in products: photos, knitting and crochet patterns, notecards, and wall coverings. 

There are crochet stitch diagrams for the crochet projects. There are actually many more than 50 items in the book because she throws in as a bonus: creatures (butterfly, Robin, bumble bee, etc) and 15 projects that include a pillow, market bag, summer hat, brooch, grapevine wreath, wall art, a lampshade, a cardigan and more.  ANY of the 50+ flowers and embellishments can be used on the projects. The projects can be made exactly as she described or you can mix and match the elements from the first part of the book in any configuration on the projects.

The crochet ladybug is especially adorable. Some of the flowers are full 3-D with a stem and everything. Really awesome for "real" bouquet feel.   There are several petals for the flowers (and each are NOT counted individually... so MORE bonus items).  I'm partial to the Bi-color gem flower on page 89, and Autumn Beauty (#52 on page 90).

It's 128 pages of soft-bound bliss by St. Martin's Press. To win a free copy of 50 Sunflowers leave a comment on THIS post by Monday night, May 27 at 11:59pm. Please consider visiting her shop HERE and posting a comment on this post about something that impresses you about Kristin and her products. A winner will be drawn at random from the comment entries on this blog post and the winner announced on Tuesday May 28 on this blog.  The giveaway is limited to US residents. Please leave a post with your First name, Ravelry name if you have it or a city to help me identify you.  If you are the winner, email me at ellen@gocrochet.com or Ravelry message me at GoCrochet with your mailing address by Friday May 31.

Purchasing ANY of Kristin's products including books, patterns, notecards, etc, directly from her shop supports her family farm even more than purchasing her items elsewhere. Shop small business even on the internet :)

Of course, you know that Kristin is one of co-cast members on the PBS Show, Knit and Crochet Now!
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26 comments:

  1. ajzMay 21, 2013 at 9:56 AM

    Her sense of color is amazing! I wish our PBS would still carry your show!

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  2. byhooks4uMay 21, 2013 at 12:00 PM

    I am hoping our pbs will start airing the show. I have heard so much about it. At the last fund drive I called and they said they hoped they would have it by Memorial day!!! which is right around the corner.

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  3. AnonymousMay 21, 2013 at 12:22 PM

    I love her blog and have been following her for years, i discovered her about the same time i discovered yours. i have several of her PDF, i would love her book.

    I have been trying to find your PBS show and no luck

    Fracksmom

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  4. CropperhopperMay 21, 2013 at 5:13 PM

    I had no idea that the proceeds from her sales helped support the farm. That's great! I love her use of colors, and her view of wildlife.

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  5. Mrs. CMay 21, 2013 at 5:21 PM

    Thanks for introducing me to her blog and work! I would love to win her book! :)

    Mrs. C from NJ

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  6. MelodyMay 22, 2013 at 1:40 AM

    I would love to have this book. I'm going to learn embroidery, So, Colorful Stitchery may end up in my collection.

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  7. saraMay 22, 2013 at 9:12 AM

    Thanks for the great giveaway! I would love to win the book since we have a new grandbaby coming I can imagine fun flowers to accessorize baby things. Our PBS in AL doesn't carry your show either, what a shame! At least I get to watch snippets online.

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  8. phaedra96May 22, 2013 at 9:30 AM

    I have been following Kristen's blog for several years and have several of her books. The first I found in a bookstore, then found the blog.

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  9. JudyMay 22, 2013 at 9:51 AM

    Kristen's use of color and whimsy in her knitting is a real source of inspiration to me. I would be thrilled to win her book o sunflowers!

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  10. TeresaMay 22, 2013 at 10:28 AM

    I think what is most extraordinary about Kristin is her sense and use of color . . . of course how she uses it in her books is also fabulous. I found her blog thanks to another blog quite a while ago and really enjoy it.

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  11. SavannagalMay 22, 2013 at 11:00 AM

    I absolutely love Kristin Nicholas. Her sense of color and design abilities are awe inspiring. Her home is beautiful. I would love to win her book. It is delightful and cheery, just like she is.

    Savannagal on Rav

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  12. UnknownMay 22, 2013 at 12:16 PM

    I would love to win a copy of Ms. Nicholas's book! My name is Jason, jayalmonte on Ravelry, and I am a crocheter/knitter here in Brooklyn, New York. Thank you for sharing Ms. Gormley!

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  13. jennifer.essadMay 22, 2013 at 1:12 PM

    Kristin Nicholas has a great sense of class, her books, designs and color choices are so different from others. I love seeing the photos of real people and animals. I can't wait to be a better knitter, I love these creations!

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  14. SheilaMay 22, 2013 at 2:07 PM

    Like everyone else, I love her sense of color.

    SheilaOKeefe on Rav

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  15. BettyMay 22, 2013 at 9:11 PM

    I live in a sunflower state- would love to win this book!

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  16. pancake and luluMay 22, 2013 at 9:42 PM

    beautiful idea for a book. I just dyed a yarn today that is a perfect sunflower color!

    Aimee (pancakeandlulu on ravelry and etsy)

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  17. AnonymousMay 23, 2013 at 8:31 AM

    Well, I'm impressed with her many talents...a little jealous , I guess. She does so many things and all of them well.

    Lisaj@ravelry
    new orleans

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  18. DeniseMay 23, 2013 at 9:34 AM

    I've been follow Kristin's blog for years. Love her colorful style.
    flgirl1987 AT yahoo DOT com

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  19. UnknownMay 23, 2013 at 1:48 PM

    Oh, I love flowers, especially sunflowers. I would love to have a copy of this book to add to my library.

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  20. AnonymousMay 23, 2013 at 3:48 PM

    I would love to have a copy of the Sunflower book. Got one for my daughter, now I need one. Kristin's blog is great and I know yours is also. I only crochet a little. Thanks for this chance to win. Wishing you happy fibers.
    Helen Hart, HelzHart@aol.com

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  21. DeannaMay 25, 2013 at 2:02 PM

    The book looks so cute!

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  22. TinaMay 25, 2013 at 2:12 PM

    What a way to have "sunnies" in my apartment (no place to grow them)

    TinaRose at Raverly

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  23. TinaMay 25, 2013 at 2:18 PM

    Visited her shop and (surprisingly - heehee) I like her print: Sunflowers In Italian Striped Vase. Would really brighten my kitchen

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  24. SherriMay 26, 2013 at 3:59 PM

    I like her uniqueness and color sense. I also like her dedication to our craft..crochet.
    blessings;
    Sherri
    aka Crochetr@aol.com

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  25. AnonymousMay 27, 2013 at 9:31 PM

    I would love to knit some sunflowers from this book to put in my window! Ever since I discovered Kristin earlier this year I have been admiring her sense of combining bold colors. It is always spot on.

    Johanna, NY
    johannani on rav

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  26. ChristineMay 28, 2013 at 2:09 AM

    I'm not sure I'm in time, but it's 11:15 here on the west coast so I thought I'd throw my name in the hat: Christine, or "xineqoc" on Ravelry.

    I love your design sense, and am really looking forward to working up some of the designs in the Bruges lace book!

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