Handknit Holidays

So, picture this: Last week, armed with a moment alone and a gift card (thank you, Katie!), I headed on over to my local independent bookstore. I had a list of 6 books, because more often than not in this tiny bookstore, they don't have just what I'm looking for. So I had my list of backups-- books that have been sitting at the top of my wishlist for a while now*. And wouldn't you know it....they had ALL six. All Six! And my gift card was for ONE. (Must not spend beyond the budget. Must not spend beyond the budget!!). I was a mess....I picked one up, put another down, held on to two, put those down and picked up another, walked up to the counter, then turned around, and on and on and on until I had all six books in my hand and sat down with a near nervous breakdown. Trying to breathe, I closed my eyes and shuffled them around and picked Handkit Holidays. And I slowly released my grip on the others and walked out of the store (after I paid for it, of course). I think I made the right decision. This book rocks. (I do think it's a poorly chosen title that might deter people, though...there are sooo many things in the book beyond the 'holidays'.) And like the other Melanie Falick books I have, I just can't decide what to knit first.

I'm totally digging these over the knee socks! Amazing, no?!! But my history of sock making is not so fab. (More on THAT saga coming soon.)

And so, this was the second project that struck me. A knit dog, and I just happened to have enough Patagonia Nature Cotton yarn in my stash to make it. Yes, a blue dog (c'mon, haven't you read Go, Dog, Go?). It's coming along nicely, and such a treat to knit on size 6 needles for a change (I have three projects on hold right now--all on size twos. Oy.)

(*In case you were wondering, the other five that didn't make the cut were: The New Crewel, Julie and Julia, Nikon D50 Field Guide , Loop-D-Loop, and Living Out Loud. I hope I made the right choice! Ah, book buyer's remorse!)

Comments

[laurie]

yes, i think you made a great choice. and i agree that it is miss named. thanks for the idea of the patagonia for the dog. i have some in my stash too (in lime!). would have never thought of that. p.s. did you read about the miss-haps at the blue blog with a loop-d-loop sweater? but the photos in that book are lovely.

[brandie]

i *love* those knee socks...i have to get that pattern!

[Wendy]

Oh! Those knee socks are wonderful! Makes me want to take one more shot at sock knitting (well, almost).

I'm almost through with Julie and Julia. I'm reading it with my copy of MtAoFC at my side. Maybe we can book swap. (Hey, that's not a bad idea for a blog activity...blog book swaps).

[Emily]

i got Julia and Julia for Christmas and it is fabulous! Just to let you know there is a book club (the word makes me cringe I know) but they have great craft books. If you join now you get 4 books for $1 a piece. And they have the new crewell and Loop D Loop. the web address is www.joincrafterschoice.com if you are interested. You should also check out the book Bags of Style by Ellen Kharade. It has really cute patterns for purses.

[Molly]

I just got Julie and Julia at the library and it was so good! I'm sure you made a good choice, but maybe you can find J&J at your library? Such a great read!

[Krista]

Living Out Loud is on my list too. Looks like you'd be in for a long haul with those socks but are they ever pretty!

[mary]

those socks are awesome. i'd get the book just for those!

[Anna]

WOW, those knee socks are amazing. I might have to get that book!!!!

[Marie]

Oh my! I am lusting over those socks!!! Gorgeous.

[Sarah]

Those socks are so wonderful! I'm just not sure that I'd have the patience to work on a pair of socks for so long. I might be able to make ankle socks like that though! :)

[~Vicki]

i'm glad the craft book won out because those stocking make me want to knit and i don't even know how!

[Jane]

Julie & Julia is well worth reading - it should be your next purchase/library book - or wait until the paperback comes out. Those over the knee socks are amazing.

[melissa]

you made a great choice. but the new crewel is awesome too.

[nichola]

Lovely socks! They'd take forever to knit though, well, they'd take me forever!

[maria]

what a fun entry.
i love the way you write!!!

the socks are to die for!!!!!!!!!
xo, mav

[kelly]

ah, i'm so there with you on the struggle to choose a book... i should really learn to use the library, but somehow it always seems so much more fun to own it!

[leya]

good choice. I love the sock pattern...can't wait to see how those turn out. also, as you've heard Julie & Julia is great (I agree) and the D50 Field Guide is a must. I've learned so much from it that the D50 manual just didn't provide. that's my 2 cents. have fun.

[carol]

I got Julia and Julia for Christmas- i would love to give it to you after I read it. Honestly...I really like to pass on books to people (even those that don't know me!) because others have done it likewise!

Just e-mail me if you are interested...

By the way, great self-control!

[Anamaria]

It's such a good feeling to be in a bookstore and know that you're going to go home with a book (most of the time, I'm just browsing). No more knitting books for me til I, um, learn to knit--but that one looks fabulous. I have The New Crewel myself and love it. My next read...the sock knitting saga!

[Sarah]

wowza! already been said a million times but those socks!!!

I joined your "corners" group but alas my camera is not co-operating with letting me get the pictures off it and into the computer, so I've nothing to share yet:P (not to mention most of my house including the corners is filthy!

[kristen]

Oh how I covet those socks! I was saying that I've love to make some socks (in theory of course) and these might just be the thing. I love the way you described yourself in the bookstore ~ I would have been the same way!!

[kristen]

PS. I got that Loop-D-Loop book (am always intrigued by Teva Durham) in this crazy crafting bookclub thingy. Right now I've got this cool turtleneck shrug thing by her on my needles that comes from the Scarf Style book.

[Bertha]

You definitely made the right choice! Even though I am not yet up to the skill level needed to make most of the projects in the book, it's my favorite knitting book to date! I'm working on the Apres-ski kerchief now!

[lisa]

so fun and i am loving those knee socks. they look hard to make. i am wearing knee socks right now with a skirt. they are so fun.

[sarahjane]

I just finished the right-handed flap-top mitten from "Handknit Holidays" and am loving it! There were only a few things a bit off, but the pattern read easily and knit up quite nicely.

I agree that this book is well done, well done indeed!

[kathreen]

the photo of those socks really grabbed my attention - they are wonderful. wouldn't it be lovely...

[Katie]

Any time! Make me something cool!

[chilihead]

I'm LOVING those socks. I always love to come and see what you're up to. Very crafty. Very interesting. Just love it.

[Siri]

Yes. You most certainly made the right choice, but just as a warning to you: I think that I can seriously attribute some of the angst I've been experiencing lately directly to the moment I acquired that book. After a few evenings of poring over all the beautiful pictures and projects and dreaming of all the ones I'd like to make, well, that's when the feelings of being entirely overwhelmed began. I'm serious! I suddenly realized just how disproportionate my free time/future projects ratio is.
Right now I feel better the less I look through that book (and others) while I just plug away at the projects at hand (slipping in a few small projects here and there, of course).
Enjoy it, anyways. Even if there's not enough time to actually get to most of the projects in there, there still is plenty of time for dreaming, and the pictures are incredible, aren't they?
A blue dog? I LOVE IT. Hooray for big needles and bulky yarn!

[carolyn]

amanda - i'll loan you my copy of julie & julia if you'd like. i'm not going to get to it for a while. (i started it, but wasn't enjoying it the way i used to enjoy the blog, then put it down, and at this point would have to restart, but have at least 15 books in the queue ahead of it.) email me your snail mail and i'll send it out!

[Creative Kismet]

Thanks for the book tips. Thay all look fab! Those socks are amazing. I could only dream about those!!

[scribblesnbits]

I know nothing of the book you cited, but I know about blue dogs because of this guy:

http://www.georgerodrigue.com/

Anyway, funny you should mention those socks because I was just talking to Mr. today about those and wondering if I could find a substitute yarn for them. He, of course, had no idea what ANY of the words coming out of my mouth meant. He was having trouble picturing knitted socks as well. I just showed the pic to him and he now sees why I'm suddenly obsessed. I've never tried knitting socks, so this may be a terrible first attempt, but I'm so into this!

Also, The New Crewel is really nice, but I haven't found a local source for wool thread yet, so I have't had the opportunity to work with it. Loop d Loop is amazing, but I'm scared of it. Can't exactly say why, but I'm just terrified to try anything out of it (no matter how badly I want that cardigan with the dreamcatcher knit into the back). Anyway, I htink you made a fantastic decision! There's always later for the others!

[margo]

I have that book -- please photo the dog when you're done!! I, too, wish to make the stockings -- I have no history with socks. They scare me.

[meredith]

holy cats! those socks are beautiful! they make me want to learn how to knit!