Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Favorite Things Contest

How time flies! This blog was born three years ago today. All I wanted to do was to keep a record of my knitting. And since I like to write and take photos, why not do a blog?

I really didn't give much thought that people would actually read this thing!

But I'm so grateful to the folks who found Snit n'Knit and read it once--and then read it again. Over the past three years, your comments have given me cheer and comfort. My blog friends have become some of my favorite people!

From reading other blogs, I've seen such gorgeous needlework! I may never knit, crochet, tat, quilt, embroider or applique any of these projects --but I so enjoy seeing what brings challenge, joy and beauty into our lives.

So to celebrate three years of blogging, I'm giving away three prizes. Leave a comment by midnight on Friday, February 12th and you'll be eligible for one of the prizes. The winners will be chosen via a random number generator. In your comment, please:
1) List one of your favorite needlework projects. It doesn't have to be something you've made--just something that you really like. If you feel like sharing why it's a favorite, please do so.
2) Choose which prize is your favorite.

Winners will be announced on Saturday.

In the spirit of favorite things, I've chosen prizes from three of my favorite categories: books, bags and yarn. Here's the photos:

A book. Somehow I acquired two copies of Clara Parkes' wonderful book. Everything you might want to know about wool but were afraid to ask. Nice patterns in there, also.



A bag. Doesn't this Maruca bag make a cute knitting bag? A local store was closing and they were practically giving these bags away. I bought a few and this one was set aside because I knew it would be a terrific blog prize. (The more I look at this bag, the more I can't believe I'm giving it away. The colors and the vintage-look are wonderful and just so me.)



A skein of yarn. Sundara sock yarn in a pretty shade of pinky coral. The color is Dahlia and there's 350 yards. If you're not a sock-knitter, this yarn would also make a very lovely Spring scarf or shawlette.



OK, enough talk from me--let me hear about your favorites!

36 comments:

rho said...

I LOVE Jane's shawl in The Knitters Book of Wool - "Falling Waters" Isn't it incredible :D

Anonymous said...

Mary,
Congrats on the anniversary, and also on the successful watch cap!
My favorite of the 3 would be the sock yarn (of course), followed very closely by the book.
Pat F.

EileenNY said...

Mary,

I always enjoy your blogs and you know how I feel about your knitting, your writing and your photography. You are a very talented lady!

I must tell you about my favorite knitting project. It was the first thing I decided to knit after having made only one garter stitch scarf many, many years before. I thought "if I can read, I can do anything" and bought genuine fisherman knit yarn, a pattern and set off to make a very complicated sweater.

Well, I soon found that reading wasn't enough. I had to go from car to car in the parking lot of my kids' school, looking for knitters to show me how to make bobbles other complicated stitches. (I actually did figure out cables myself.)

After almost a year, the sweater was finished. Lo and behold, the one thing no one told me was to do a swatch for gauge. The sweater was massive and I couldn't wear it. However, I couldn't part with it and packed it away.

Two years ago, I took that sweater out, held it up against John and it looked about right. But the neck was too feminine. After having it sit for over 20 years, I took the neck out, re-knitted a crew neck and John tried it on. It fit him perfectly and he wears it on really cold days. It really looks good on him.

So for that reason, maybe I should list the book as my prize should I win. I still have lots to learn.
:)

sherriknits said...

Hi Mary,
I love your blog! I'm so glad I found you a few years ago! I am thrilled at your watch cap, too!
One of my favorite things is the Bohus cuffs that a friend gifted me with, I can look at them for hours when I wear them.
I LOVE the bag. :)
Thanks, Mary!
HAPPY BLOGIVERSARY!!!

Hester from Atlanta said...

I just finished a Multmonth (sp?) shawl in Silk Garden lite. It stays on my neck and has long dark pink and purple stripes that frame my face. It is delux. Would love the copy of the Clara's book.

3 years of blogging. Congratulations. Best

Yesterukes said...

1. My tastes are simple--good thing 'cause that kind of matches my skill level. But I really do like the Noro Silk Garden scarf by Brooklyn Tweed. I'm 3/4 finished with my version of it.
2. Really, really like the bag.

Congrats on 3 years of blogging. It takes some dedication to stick with it for that long. I'm glad I found it.

B said...

Congratulations on 3 years! Keep going because I love reading it.

My favorite project so far is the Hanging Gardens Stole. I just knit it for my mother using Dream in Color's Baby in Gothic Rose.

My favorite of the 3 prizes is the yarn. Beautiful color.

minipurl said...

Happy 3rd Blogiversary, Mary! It's been such a treat reading your blog, and getting to meet you way back when the weather was friendlier.
1. One of my favorite needlework projects is a sampler afghan that I crocheted for my daughter's college graduation way back when I didn't know how to knit.
2. Much as the yarn tempts me, that book is awesome. Ah, what the heck...I'll choose the gorgeous yarn.
Looking forward to more of your wonderful blogging!!

PurpleGoddess said...

Being a fairly new blogger myself, I'm thrilled to have found your blog and will definitely be adding it to my list of "must read" blogs. Thank you!

As for my favorite pattern, i love the Odessa Hat by Grumperina. I have made this hat over 10 times for friends and family, and it never gets old.

As for your wonderful prizes, being a yarnaholic, I must say the yarn looks SCRUMPTIOUS!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on your 3 year blog anniversary! I enjoy reading about your crafting adventures, and viewing sights of NYC.

1) A favorite project is hard to choose. I love trying new techniques. One of my doilies on flickr has been viewed over 1200 times, so that one is now a favorite.
2) All the prizes are fabulous. The dahlia yarn is gorgeous, so is the bag. Hard decision. The dahlia is my favorite flower, so I will choose the sock yarn as my favorite prize.

auntiemichal said...

Happy blogiversary! You're one of my "top layer" Google Reader blogs! If you draw my name, the book or the sock yarn are my first and second preferences.

Jennifer said...

Congrats on your blogiversary! My favorite projects are cowls. You can try many different stitch patterns and they're cozy and functional.

My favorite would have to be the sock yarn.

Thank you for the giveaway!

Alex said...

My favorite project has to be the Knotty But Nice hat I just knit from knitty-it's one of the first things i knit that turned out really great-i wear it all the time. My favorite prize is probably the bag. I'm a huge sucker for them!

Zaneta @ Runner's Luck said...

Wow! Congrats on 3 years! :) and what a lovely giveaway! :) my favorite project is ishbel or french press felted slippers. I haven't knit either of them yet, but they're on my to knit list :) And my favorite prize is probably the yarn :) I'm a sucker for yarn ;)
Hugs,
Zaneta
superwoman_4002@yahoo.com

Bubblesknits said...

Happy Blogiversary! 3 years is awesome. :-)

I think I'd have to say my favorite project that I've ever knit is the first pair of socks I completed. Turning the heel was so magical. Actually, it still kinda amazes me. lol

As far as prizes, they're all lovely, but I'd have to go with the yarn. It's gorgeous!

rowndabout said...

My favorite project is the first pair of booties I knitted for my soon to be first grandchild!
Love the yarn, perfect for the next pair of booties for baby!

Maiden Jane said...

What a generous giveaway! It's hard to say what is my favorite project because I feel like I'm always trying new things...although there have been many projects which have simply not met my expectations in terms of fit. I think my fav would have to be my Must Have Cardigan because I learned to cable without a needle and I like the cropped size. I'm afraid I may have felted it slightly, this past year trying to hand was it in the front loader. It's a hard choice of prizes - love books and love the yarn. The bag is adorable, too! I'd guess I'd try for the yarn! Thanks!

EVA SB said...

My favourite project is the tiny jacket I made for my new-born daughter.
I new that everything in the shops was 3 month size and I didn't want mu darling baby leaving the hospital in badly fitting clothes and rolled up sleeves.
Everyone who saw me tut-tutted and warned 'she grow out of it so quickly.'
As I sewed in the last ends the morning after she was born I could see that for once my sizing was just right.
When we left the hospital my daughter wore her perfectly fitting cardigan and looked perfectly adorable.

Yes she out grew it in 3 weeks but it had completed it's mission in style.

Of the prizes my favourite is the yarn with the bag a close second.

Jackie's Stitches said...

Congratulations on 3 years!

My favorite knitting project (so far) is my Dragon Melody Shawl. From someone who didn't use to finish things, it is really satisfying to have finished a big (for me) project.

I'd love to be entered into the drawing for the book! Thank you!

Unknown said...

my favorite project is, and will always be, SOCKS! I like how they can be a comfort or a challange in the making, and I LOVE how they get used up so that more need to be knit!

My favorite choice of prize is Clara's Book of Wool.

Cheers to your blogoversary! Here's wishing you, and us, many more...

Iron Needles said...

Congrats, Mary! So glad I found your blog. It's fun reading about knitting in NY. My favorite project has to be EileenNY's sweater! What a great story! Or the dishclothes my mother knit stacks of when she was having trouble remembering other things.

Certainly not short row socks, right now...

Your prizes are wunderful, and hard to choose between. I love books, and have two of Clare's, but not this one. I need a new bag. I bought lots of yarn lately. Hmmmm.

I choose the bag! (If I win, maybe I can pick it up in person!)

Unknown said...

Happy blogversary! My favorite knitting project is usually the one I just finished but since I have to pick one...
Jared Flood's Willoughby Scarf -- it's fun to knit, not nearly as complicated as it looks, and it feels great to wear!
I love the yarn -- it's a perfect color. But I also like the book and the bag!

Sidney said...

my favorite of 2010 is a beaded Baktus scarf. So much a favorite that I made two, despite my impatience with stringing beads.
Would LOVE the Sundara yarn.
Congratulations on your blogiversary!

Galiano said...

Two favourites (and I love all his designs) are the Noro Scarf and the Tweed Baby Blanket by Jared Flood. I am presently working on my second scarf, and have knit the blanket for my new grandson.
Greatly enjoy reading your blog, Mary.

NutmegOwl said...

HB! Isn't it funny, having posted so many things "out there" to find that other people enjoy reading? It's a pretty amazing - and powerful - thing.

Favorite project: I think I have to say my Ribs and Ruffles scarf. That probably seems odd, based on how uncomplicated it was - all I did was make it wider and much longer than how it was written. But it's in my favorite color, and this one scarf keeps me toasty warm all the time. More than any other project, it's my go-to, and that's what makes it my favorite.

Favorite prize: Hmmm - we share space in the Church of Clara, and while I ADORE Sundara sock, I'm allergic to anything pink, so I would choose the most adorable bag, which is not at all "twee."

Ciao!

katerina said...

I don't know if I can pick ONE favorite needlework project - I probably have a favorite in each category, but I'll name my top 3 or so
Shawl = The Spanish Armada by MMarioKnits - I really like all his patterns
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/spanish-armada
Kid's Toy = Which came first? by Ann Hrachovec of Mochiochi Land (another designer whose patterns I adore)
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/which-came-first
Hat - we call them pirates (I just don't think I'm up for colorwork just yet)
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/we-call-them-pirates

As far as the prizes go - they're all pretty amazing, I'd be a lucky girl to receive any of them!! Yarn book or bag!!
Thanks for the fun contest and wonderful blog!

Mary said...

Happy Blogiversary!

My favorite project is probably the vest I made for my Dad. It was my first garment and took forever to complete and was still too small! However all the work that went into it made it my favorite.

I just got the book last week so I'd like to be entered for the yarn.

StephCat said...

one of my favorites is a quilt my mom in law made for us -- blue & brown stripes, lovely!

would prob pick the sock yarn....I have the book already too!

Anonymous said...

Happy Blogiversary!

My favorite project, that I have been eying for a long time, is Eunny Jang's Autumn Rose pattern. I would love to make this but the colorwork is a little intimidating.

Your prizes are all wonderful but I would have to pick the yarn.

Melynda
e3msmith@att.net

The DeDe said...

Happy Blogiversary! I'm so thankful for your blog on those days that I have a NYC hankering and when I'm missing my favorite knitting group!
My favorite project I've done so far was a lace stole that I made for my Mom. It was a Secret of the stole project and while I tried to keep up with the clues every week I got incredibly behind and only finished it 6 months later. It came out beautifully and she loved it. I love how knitting a project for someone gives me so much time to think about them and love on them without being with them.
Count me in for the drawing on the bag, cute!!
I hope your husband's hat came in handy the past few days!! You couldn't have had better timing finishing it up!

Jolene said...

Happy bloggiversary!

My favorite project: it's difficult to decide... probably one of the handspun shawls or pairs of socks I've made in the last few years. I love working on anything that is made from my own hand spun (sometimes even hand dyed) yarns.

prize: Would love the book or the yarn... not fussy ;)

good luck everyone

Susan said...

I can't even decide on a favorite project. I guess the one I'm working on or maybe the sweater that Lily Chin complemented me on, or maybe just socks. I love the yarn and the bag but I think I like the book best. Happy Blogoversary Mary, and many more!

TGL said...

Happy Blogiversary! I am a sporadic reader of many blogs but yours is one of my must reads. I love the knitting, the snitting, and the slices of NYC living.

My favorite project is always the one I'm thinking about starting next. But to pick a finished fave I'd say the little pulsewarmers I made out of KPPM while my mom and I were traveling around Scandinavia. They remind me of that wonderful trip and make me smile every time I put them on, years later.

Three wonderful prizes! I'm torn between the yarn and the bag, both lovely (I have two copies of KBOW already.) If push came to shove I'd take the... yarn.

Cousin Kathy said...

Happy Anniversary and keep on blogging! My favorite is Irish sweater mom made for me soooo long ago. Didn't appreciate it so much at the time but years later I realized the love that went into making it. And now, it has taken on an even deeper meaning. I find myself hugging it sometimes before I actually put it on! I love the bag.

Darcy's Knotty Knitter said...

The Simple Things Shawlette I have knit 3 of them here is a link to one I knit:http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnottyKnitter40/simple-things
I love the bag what a generous giveaway.Hugs Darcy
darcysknottyknitter@gmail.com
knottyknitter40 ravelry id

Shannon said...

My favorite project that I will actually knit is the Night and Day Cardigan from a recent Tahki yarns pattern book. Some of my favorites to look at that I don't have time to knit are colorwork patterns from Rowan.
It's hard to choose a favorite from your prizes, they all look fabulous! If I had to choose just one though I would choose the Sundara yarn because I've only seen it online before and it is beautiful. Thanks for hosting a giveaway, and congrats on 3 years of blogging!
Shannon (AndaraKnits on Ravelry)