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 would love this book! And I'm thrilled to add the The Purl Bee to the blogs I read, what great projects!
I don't need to be entered in the giveaway because I already own this book, but still wanted to comment that this is such a beautiful book. I am a beginning knitter and have been slowly knitting my way through it and have found such pleasure in the clear patterns, lovely classic designs, and beautiful photography and design. Thanks for the little glimpse into the world of Purl! What a charming place.
What a lovely book! I would love to have it, thanks for the chance.
I am a very beginning-level knitter, but I know this book would inspire me to make amazing progress! Thanks.
Beautiful work, Brooke, as always. I've just learned how to knit, largely because of all the fabulous ideas that are always being shared on the Purl Bee. I had to be able to make them!
And that house is a dream, down to the birdhouses and the swing. Did you just have a ball staying there?
amazing! Thank you for sharing.
How lovely! Thanks for sharing about the book!
A lovely post and inspiring photos. Your work + Purl are a good combination. Thanks for the chance!
Lovely!
I think I just found THE perfect gift for my sister who loves to knit and crochet in her spare time! Beautiful pics...can't wait to get my hands on these books!
Thanks for the super giveaway!
Wonderful story and photo's!
Oh, my! Those pictures are definitely swoon-worthy! (And I 'd love a copy of that beautiful book!).
I would love to win!
this is a great giveaway! i am entering it and if i win, will give the book to my mom. she's been wanting this one!
Brooke, this is so lovely. You are incredibly talented. PS Pick me! Pick me!
The Purl Bee was one of the first crafting blogs I came to find. It's interesting to hear it's story and how its mingled with yours. Thank you for a chance to win this incredible book. I've flipped through it several times in the book stores. Now that I'm taking beginning knitting classes it is one that I definetly want in my crafting library. annette (at) sunday-special (dot) net
I would adore one of these beautifully designed books.
I love those knitted socks! My grandmother taught me to knit last summer and I haven't had the guys to make anything other than scarves -- I'd love to make some of those cozy socks.
I love her books and this one is no exception! I would love a copy. Thanks so much for the giveaway. :) And...I love her name. ;)
Brooke, this book has been on my radar and I am excited to tackle some of the projects within. The photography looks amazing! I can't wait to page through.