You’ve Got to Have Rules
One of the best parts about TNNA is getting to put faces to the people you’ve been communicating with (sometimes for years) only through email. This time, I had the pleasure of finally meeting Chrissy Gardiner in person. She’s a member of the Visionary Authors group and was at the booth to show off her brand new book, Indie Socks. And when I say brand new, I mean it. She had just gotten the box of author advance copies days before the show.
Chrissy was kind enough to offer me a copy of the book. This was absolutely delightful, but you see I have rules. One of the rules I have is ‘don’t read other people’s patterns.’ Now I’m not quite restrained enough to not look at other people’s patterns. That would be too much to ask. But I try very hard to limit it to looking at the pretty pictures, and not actually reading the patterns themselves. I think it helps keep other people’s ideas from accidentally sneaking in and taking up residence in the back of my brain. So I asked Chrissy if I could take the book and give it to one of you guys. She was gracious enough to agree.
So one of you guys is in for a treat! The book offers 24 beautiful sock patterns, each made with a yarn from an independent dyer. Along with the patterns are helpful tips and strategies for dealing with the challenges that sometimes come along with the more exuberant yarns. That makes this a marvelous tool to help you actually use some of those yarns you bought, but can’t quite figure out what to do with. Something in here is bound to work on even the most recalcitrant of yarns! It will also help you make more informed buying decisions when you’re dazzled by a wall full of beautiful hand-dyed yarn.
Some of my particular favorites are Calpurnia, Orange Blossom, and Pachinko.
So, what do you think, do you maybe have a skein or two of hand-dyed yarn in your stash? Would you maybe like a little help finding the right pattern for it? I think I (or, rather, Chrissy) can help! Just go over to the book’s ravelry page and and pick your favorite pattern. Then come back here and leave a comment on this post saying which one you like best. I’ll leave the comments open through the end of the day (eastern time) on Tuesday. Then next week, I’ll pick a winner and get in touch to arrange to mail you your prize (that means you must use a working email address, or I won’t be able to find you when you win).
Oh how generous! Thank you Chrissy, and of course you too, Hunter 🙂
The pattern that first caught my eye is “Les Rideaux”. Stunning!
And while I’m at it, since I am normally a lurker and don’t comment, I’d like to thank you, Hunter, for hosting a giveaway of Barking Dog Yarns a couple of years back. Thanks to you I was not only introduced to my favourite yarn, but also gained an incredible friend in Suzan, who is the dyer + everything behind the company. Thank you thank you!
What a gorgeous collection of patterns! If I had to pick one, I’d say Les Rideaux.
Thanks, Hunter & Chrissy!
Lisa H.
I’m a fan of Deux Tourbillions
At first I was debating between Pachinko and Sspyglass Lane, but then I noticed Deux Tourbillions… definitely Deux Tourbillions!
Ooh. There are so many pretty patterns in there! I think my favorite would have to be Spyglass Lane, but it’s a tough choice! I’m kinda a sucker for pretty cables though. 🙂
I think Rippleside is calling my name. I won’t even have to reverse the pattern to be toe up either.
Ooh the orange blossom ones are absolutely beautiful!
Oh wow, the patterns in this book are lovely! I love Deux Tourbillions the best. I am so drawn to socks with that spiral like pattern on them.
My eyes were immediately drawn to Rippleside.
I love the sprout socks!
I absolutely love the Nami socks 🙂
I love the back of the Orange Blossom.
So very pretty they make my feet jealous. I just love Calpurnia. Very classy and feminine.
I love the Gelato socks!
How generous of both you and Chrissy. All the socks look wonderful! It’s a tough choice but I think I will go with Spyglass Lane.
This is a tough choice! How about Pachinko—it seems particularly interesting when you look at the larger pictures on Ravelry.
I love Orange Blossom! The book looks amazing. Thanks!
If I had to narrow it down I’d pick Spyglass Lane, love the cables. 😉
My eye immediately went to Deux Tourbillions, and kept coming back to it. Looks like a good variety of interesting patterns!
So many pretty ones! But I would definitely start with Calpurnia.
I’m torn between Orange Blossom and True Love….if I have to pick, I think I’d go True Love because I’m not usually a big fan of hearts, but these appeal to me….the whole book looks lovely! Thank you Hunter & Chrissy!
They’re all gorgeous but since I have to pick just one, Spyglass Lane.
I think the flame walker socks are ultimately cool
Wow that was a HARD choice ! But I just love the “sprout” socks, they remind me of all the little green sprouts in our veggie garden !
I love the nuppy diamonds pattern.
Wait, so this means you don’t knit other peoples’ patterns just for fun?