Bonus!

Coffee

It’s not secret that I like a cup of coffee (or twelve). And I’m pleased to report that Portland, Oregon, seems to be my kind of town. The residents of Portland, seemingly, love coffee as much as I do. There are excellent coffee shops on every block. I had terrific cups of coffee wherever I went: at Grand Central Bakery at the legendary Stumptown Coffee heck, I even had good coffee at the convention center. Yes, there is a Starbucks at the Oregon Convention Center, although apparently they ran out of coffee on the first day. I will only take partial responsibility for that – there was also an Open ...

Because Size Matters: Foot Size Survey

As Knitty’s technical editor for socks, I get to talk to a lot of knitters and designers about sock patterns. The number one question I hear from designers and knitters is how to size socks. When sizing socks, foot circumference is the key measurement. For the vast majority of sock designs, the length of the foot is controlled simply by working fewer or more rounds in that section- totally independent of the number of stitches you cast on. The challenge is that information about foot circumference is very hard to find. When sizing shoes, foot length is the primary measurement; and so all of the information out ...

It’s Monday – We Need a Giveaway!

When I woke up this Monday morning and looked out the window I saw 2 inches of snow, in April. I decided right then the Knittyblog world needs a giveaway. What goodness do we have for you today? 1 skein of Indigo Moon Ultimate Sock Yarn 75% superwash wool and 25% nylon color: Gabriola Green 430yds/100gm 28sts-32rows/4″ on US 3 (2.25-3.25mm) Can’t wait to see if you’re the lucky winner and want yarn right now? Trish Moon has given us a special discount to share with you: 10% off through April 30, 2011, if you mention KnittyBlog when you place your order. Here’s how to win: leave a comment to this post by ...

We could use a little brightness today

Mondays are often challenging. So it’s time for a big contest! One lucky person will win a FiberBuzz Gift Basket, including prizes from all of our FiberBuzz sponsors. Take a look at this yumminess! Quick Fitted Wristlets & Cabled Turban patterns by Stitch Diva prize value: $14 Empire State Gloves kit by Van der Rock Yarns prize value: $21CAD Leather-covered measuring tape by Debra’s Garden prize value: $18 Sheep Needle Gauge by Goose Pond/elegant knitter prize value: $15 Beaded Smoke Ring kit including pattern, luxury yarn and beads by HeartStrings prize value: $25   A copy of Timeless ...

Ninja-bonus giveaway!

It’s been a few weeks since our last knitting contest. Let’s remedy that right now! This time, the prize is a copy of the brand-new book, Silk Road Socks, by Hunter Hammersen. [Winner’s choice of print or digital version.] You can peek inside at all the sock patterns on the book’s Ravelry page. The Knitalong has already started, and you’ll find it here. Here’s how to win: leave a comment to this post by Monday, January 24, at midnight eastern time, and you could win! We’ll choose a winner at random, make them answer a  skill-testing question, and post the results next week. Prize ...

It’s official: we’ve gone nutty.

And now it’s Monday, and the last contest isn’t even over yet, but we’re doing it ONE MORE TIME! Because we take holiday madness quite seriously over here at Knitty. Here’s how to win: leave a comment to this post by Wednesday, December 29, at midnight eastern time, and you could win! We’ll choose a winner at random, make them answer a terrifically difficult [cough] skill-testing question, and post the results next week. What’s the prize this time, you ask? It’s a kit for the gorgeous Cuckoo Mittens from the current issue! Cuckoo mitts kit contains this gorgeous yarn: The ...

Ninja strikes again! Another contest!

What is this…Thursday contests every week? Not even close. We just feel like giving away stuff and it happens to be on a Thursday again this time! I know, we’re out of control. It’s fun. Here’s how to win: leave a comment to this post by Monday, December 27 at midnight eastern time, and you could win! We’ll choose a winner at random, make them answer a terrifically difficult [cough] skill-testing question, and post the results next week. What’s the prize this time, you ask? 1 skein of Lisa Souza Superwash BFL sock yarn Fiber: 100%Blue Faced Leicester Superwash wool hand dyed 4 ...

Kamikaze ninja surprise contest!

Virtually out of nowhere comes another contest! We know…we think it’s pretty cool, too! Leave a comment to this post by Friday, December 17 at midnight eastern time, and you could win! We’ll choose a winner at random and post the results on Monday’s blog. What’s the prize? 1 skein of Briar Rose Sonoma: Content: 100% wool Yardage/Wt.: 460 yds/437 m, 8 oz. Retail price: $32 Can’t wait to see if you’re the lucky winner? Chris at Briar Rose has given us a special discount to share: 10% off through the end of December. Just use code KnitBR. Good luck to you all!

Have you ever clicked the needles in the Knitty header?

You might want to today. I’ve lived in Canada since I was 6 [aka a long, long time]. Canadian Thanksgiving is in October when it’s usually barely cool outside, with leaves on the trees and jackets optional. I’ve never gotten used to it. My first 6 years imprinted Thanksgiving time into my brain as what it is now in November in the northeast: a real bite in the air and leaves on the ground. Winter is definitely coming. So I’m feeling very Thanksgivingy today, even though it’s business as usual over here in Toronto. Everything’s open, airports only crowded on the way out of town. ...

The rest of the trip

When last I blogged, I’d caught  you up about halfway on our recent trip to the UK and France. The first half was a real treat, being driven around in a luxury coach with really nice knitters and a tour guide I’m still crushing on. One of the bonuses of this trip was that it took us right across the path of our good friends Brenda and Tonia who live in West Wales. So we planned to stay with them for a few days after leaving the group. We haven’t seen each other since the Sea Socks cruise in 2008, and we missed them! Here they are in Tenby, one of our favorite places on the trip. I love these women. ...