more last-minute knitted gifts giveaway
If you're a fan of Purl Soho, or of it's owner, Joelle Hoverson, then you probably already know about Joelle's latest book: More Last-Minute Knitted Gifts. I first met Joelle when she was working at Martha Stewart as a stylist. A few years later I heard she was opening a yarn shop, called Purl, down on Sullivan Street in SoHo and I popped in to say hello. The store was tiny, but filled to the brim with the most beautiful yarn I had ever seen... it was like a little jewelbox of a store, all styled perfectly. One evening I remember walking past the storefront after closing. Joelle had started teaching classes in the evening and the store was literally packed with knitting students. There was this buzz, this feeling of excitement in the air. A man on the street next to me asked "What's going on? What is THIS?". And I knew that Joelle had started something special.
A few years later I wandered down Sullivan Street again. Joelle was sitting out front on that cute blue bench outside Purl and as I walked up she said "I was just thinking about you!". She was writing a new book about quilting and patchwork, and opening a second store up the street (a fabric store this time) and she needed some design help. I quickly volunteered. Joelle lived just a few blocks from my home in Brooklyn, and we would meet at night in my little office and work out the details of the book (which was later titled Last-Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts) and design things for the new store (which was called Purl Patchwork). Joelle would hold my daughter Bee, who was just a baby then, while we picked out colors and played around with fonts.
I've been designing for Purl Soho ever since. And it's been my pleasure. When I moved to California three years ago, I was worried that Joelle (and her partners Page and Jen) might want a designer close by in New York.. but lucky for me, they've let me continue to work for them remotely. They are such lovely clients, full of amazing ideas and I'm proud of the things they've let me design like knitting patterns, and twill tape, and calendars, and new logos.
When Joelle told me she was starting a third book, I crossed my fingers she would let me design it. More Last-Minute Knitted Gifts hit the stores in the fall, and here are a few behind-the-scenes shots from the shoot (which was way back in May of 2009!). The photographer for the shoot was the lovely Anna Williams, who also shot Joelle's other two books. Anna is an old friend, who photographs regularly for Martha Stewart Living, where Page, Joelle and I all used to work, so working on these shoots is a bit of a reunion.The projects in this book are beautiful, and most can be knit in a weekend.
Joelle has a lovely home a few hours outside the city and we shot the majority of the book there. She also rented the house next door so we would all have a bed to sleep in and some pretty locations to shoot. One morning I woke up early, the fog had rolled in and the house looked so beautiful.
When I flip through this book, I see my friends. I see Joelle's gorgeous color combinations and Jen's lightning fast knitting and Page's pretty styling and Anna's beautiful light. It reminds me how lucky I am to be a small part of the beautiful things these girls create.
The nice folks at STC: Craft | Melanie Falick Books (an imprint of Stewart, Tabori & Chang) sent me a few extra copies of More Last-Minute Knitted Gifts and I am happy to give one away. Leave a comment below and my little helpers and I will pick a winner Saturday morning, March 19th. Comments will close at 9 AM PST. (Sorry to my international readers, but U.S. residents only...)
And a note about giveaways: I try very hard to keep inchmark non-commercial (which is becoming a rarity these days in the blog world). Please note that inchmark does not offer giveaways for products, books, etc. except in specific cases where I was involved in the creation of the product (i.e. a book I have designed).
Brooke
And the winner is #36, Margaret! Shoot me an email with your address and I will pop your book in the mail! Happy knitting!
Reader Comments (195)
i have long been an admirer of yours and of purl. hope to visit the store some day in person, but until then, this would be a lovely memento. thanks for doing a giveaway!
Thanks for sharing your story and the giveaway!
wow, I did not know this! I have the first one and love it.
I remember the segment Martha did about Purl when it opened. I found your blog through Design Mom. It's been a pleasure reading some of your archives.
Looks great! I'd make the heck out of those projects!
Living in London I have not had the chance to visit Purl Soho but admire their blog and online shop filled with such gorgeous yarns and fabrics and have made many gorgeous things from the Patchwork book. It puts a whole new slant on a book when you hear about the behind the scenes work and history so thanks for involving us and thanks for the giveaway, the hat on the front cover is enough to entice me so fingers crossed!
What a great post! I love hearing the stories behind big projects like this. Can't wait to flip through it.
I love those photos....summertime, early morning, there's nothing like it. Would love to win the book, thank you!
Lovely pictures for a lovely book. Thanks so much for the giveaway!
congratulations on a beautiful book. don't put me in the giveaway - I already own a copy. it's so pretty!
Thanks for sharing your project. The photos you've posted are beautiful, can't wait to check out the book.
I love getting a peek behind the scenes! I would love to have a copy of this book.
One of my favorite stores to visit in New York. I haved admired this book since it came out, so many wonderful projects.
I just got this book from the library and love it! Didn't know of your connection, which makes me love it more!
I will share this book with my mother-in-law (whether I win a copy or not). I'm certain I'd enjoy flipping through and admiring the design, and I know she'd LOVE following some of the patterns for her grandchildren. Hope to visit Purl on our next NYC trip...
Fast knitting is all I can even think about these days with two wee ones under foot. Lovely book!
Wow, what a wonderful giveaway! All those misty photos are beautiful.
Ooooh, some more lovely making to be done when the kids are fast asleep!
I just recently started knitting more and adding this book to my collection of sewing books would make me so very happy!!
what beautiful photos! just the inspiration i needed this morning.
i'd love a copy of joelle's book. you know, i found your blog through the purl bee!