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)
The photos are enchanting. Love them! I recently discovered your blog as well as Purl Soho. Would love the new book!
I can only imagine what it must be like to knit in that beautiful house when the fog rolls in. What wonderful imagery!! Thanks for the giveaway
This book looks beautiful- I have been wanting to check it out. Thanks for the giveaway!
Thanks for a lovely giveaway. I actually own the book already (the whole 'series' so far) so if chosen, I have a very special friend who would love to have a copy for herself. Thanks again.
that fog could not be more beautiful!
I'm not a fantastic knitter...but I think this book would inspire me to try my hand at some new projects!
That book keeps popping up and I am beginning to think that it's a sign that I need it. Well, maybe "want it" is more accurate.
It was nice reading about your connection to the book and the people involved.
I've been crocheting for years, but I'm new to knitting. I have the nicest little swatch of garter stitch that I'm considering framing - I'm so darn proud! Purling is scheduled for this weekend! Thanks.
What a lovely post and gorgeous, dreamy photos. I love browsing thru all the fabric shelves at the Purl warehouse in CA!
Thanks for sharing! What lovely pictures of the fog and surrounding areas.
So lovely! I'd love to win this!
This book is truly inspiring, I'd love to use it for sprucing up my little family!
Thank you for the opportunity to have this beautiful book as a gift! I love the designs, projects and the creativity that flows from your hands into mine!
So beautiful, knitting is such a relaxation craft to me and these projects look divine.
I love knitting.....especially small (fast) projects :-)
I have had this book on my wish list for some time. Thank you for sharing the behind the scenes of the creation of this book. Clearly, it was a labor of love for all involved.
This book looks gorgeous! Thanks for the chance at winning it!
I love Joelle's work - as well as yours! Awesome give a away!
Oh, I love the first one so much! I have knit about 100 of "Kim's Hats"! My favorite part, though, has to be the design of the book--so clean! I'd love to check out the sequel!
Bautuful, blog and so interesting to read some background!