Charm Gloves Knit Along

 Simply Charming!

I just adore Louisa Harding's Charm gloves.  They are unapologetically feminine and oh, so pretty.  

Earlier this year while on holiday at the Monterey coast I was able to try on a shop sample of  Louisa's Charm gloves at Monarch Knitting.  The moment I tried them on, I knew I would be knitting several pairs for myself as well as for holiday gifts. 

 Be Charming!

Well, it turns out, I'm not the only Louisa Harding admirer ready to knit the Charm gloves.  Ann, Knitting Fever's social media gal, is ready to start the Charm gloves, too. When Ann heard that I was going to knit them as my next project she said:  "Well if two's company then three is a knit along."  So thanks to Knitting Fever, there's now a Charm gloves knit along!

Three Graces

Charm Gloves Knit Along

June 1 through June 30, 2013

For the knit along you will need Louisa's Three Graces pattern book, 2 skeins of Grace Wool & Silk or Grace Hand Dyed and 1 skein of Grace Hand Beaded depending on which version you knit.

For official details please visit the Charm Knit Along thread in the  Louisa Harding Ravelry Group.  To keep "in the loop" you can join the conversation in the Ravelry group and on Knitting Fever's Facebook page.  

And there's prizes!  If you complete your Charm gloves and post a photo of your completed project (by June 30th) in Louisa Harding's Ravelry group you will be entered into a prize drawing.  You must use a Louisa Harding yarn to be eligible for the drawing.  The prizes will be awarded by Louisa's distributors:  Knitting Fever in the USA, Designer Yarns in the UK and Diamond Yarns of Canada so this is an international knit along!

Three Graces Book Giveaway!

If you would like to join the knit along and need the Three Graces book here's your chance to win it! The wonderful folks at Knitting Fever are letting me give three books away!

So take a look at the Three Graces book at Knitting Fever along with the Louisa Harding Grace yarn range. Leave a comment here on my post by midnight, Sunday, June 2, 2013 of which Louisa Harding yarns and colors you want to knit your gloves in.  Your comment will enter you into the book giveaway.

Three randomly selected people will each receive the Three Graces book.  US residents only.  Void where prohibited.   One comment per person.  Please leave your name along with an email or Ravelry name in your comment for me to contact you if you win.  I will also post the winners in a follow-up blog post. 

 Good luck!

(Three Graces book images used with permission.  Photo credit:  Photographer, Stephen Jessup.) 

Louisa Harding Book Giveaway Winners!

Dixie

Drum roll please...
I am pleased to announce the three "lucky" knitters who will each receive a copy of Louisa Harding's new Jesse  pattern book thanks to Knitting Fever!

Thank you to everyone who commented for the Jesse book giveaway contest.  According to your comments... Miss Kitty (the book's cover top) and Daisy Duke are your favorites.

Here are the Jesse Book winners' comments about their favorite design in the book:

Corina Sahlin commented:   "I wouldn't mind making the cute Miss Kitty!"

bigredmoose92627 commented:  "So beautiful...how could one pick...thank you for sharing.

Virginia Smith commented:  "The cover color of Miss Kitty is my favorite."

If you're a winner please contact me with your information.

A special "thank you" to Knitting Fever for sponsoring the Louisa Harding Jesse book giveaway.  Be sure to  stay tuned for your chance to win with my next Louisa Harding book review and giveaway over the next few weeks.

(Jesse book image used with permission.
Photo Credit:  Stephen Jessup.)

Jesse

Jesse

No matter where you hang your hat...

you're sure to love Louisa Harding's new Jesse collection!

The Jesse collection features Louisa's new cotton yarn Jesse supported by her Jesse pattern book featuring 13 projects for hand knitting.  Daisy Duke, Oakley, Dixie and Miss Kitty are just some of the projects that fill the pages of  Jesse and contribute to its adorable "Western theme" charm.  Don't worry if you don't own a pair of cowboy boots because Louisa has designed and "styled" the projects in Jesse to appeal to both "country gals" and "city girls" alike!

Here's a quick little "roundup" of some of the projects in Jesse:

Dixie 

Meet Dixie.  

I think the Dixie top is very "figure flattering" with its "cinched" waist.   Louisa's one-color version (shown above) features a neat "western style" leather throng tie in lieu of ribbon.  Dixie would look great worn over a cotton summer dress or paired with a cute top and a faded pair of "old blue jeans".  Cowboy boots optional!

Oakley

Here's Oakley.  

There's no denying...

The Oakley top would look great worn with a pair of Wranglers, Levi's or even a cute denim skirt.  And, you don't have to be a cowgirl to love the Oakley top...city slickers will want to knit this top, too!

 Elsie

 Meet Elsie.

I think Elsie is the perfect addition to everyone's summer wardrobe.  Louisa designed Elsie to be knit as a striped shrug (as shown) or as a solid color capelet as well.  You can see the Elsie capelet version by viewing the complete Jesse collection at Knitting Fever. 

 Mae

Well hello there, Mae!

I love the Mae Bolero.  

Mae can be knit as a two-color bolero (as shown) or as a one color bolero with a leather throng (cord) neckline tie.  I think Mae can "set the stage" and turn any summer outfit into a "show stopper"!  

Miss Kitty

Hello Miss Kitty.  

Miss Kitty is one of the prettiest tops in the book.  Miss Kitty also graces the cover of Jesse photographed in the solid-color version.  I love the rich "denim look" of the Miss Kitty cover shot which is knit in Jesse, shade 109 Indigo.

Daisy Duke

Aww, Daisy Duke.  

With a name like that, one can't help but think that Daisy Duke should be worn with a pair of short "cut-off" jeans.  For most knitters though, the Daisy Duke top will pair-perfectly with jeans, capris or even a pretty floral skirt for summer.  

Well there's your sneak peak at the Jesse book.  A nice new feature of Louisa's new spring/summer pattern books is that she now lists the height of the model photographed in her books.  The projects in Jesse are photographed on a 5'9" model.    

Jesse Book Giveway

Now for the fun part!  After you view Louisa's new Jesse collection, leave a comment here on my post and tell me your favorite design from the book and you'll be entered into the Jesse book giveaway.  Three of my "lucky" blog readers can win Louisa's new Jesse book thanks to Knitting Fever.

So leave a comment on this post before Tuesday, May 14, 2013.  Three randomly selected people will each receive a copy of the Jesse book.  Book prizes will be mailed out by Knitting Fever.  US residents only.  Void where prohibited.   One comment per person.  Please leave your name along with an email or Ravelry name in your comment for me to contact you if you win.  

 Good luck!

(Jesse book images used with permission.  Photo credit:  Photographer, Stephen Jessup.)

Happy May Day

My "Cameo" Shawl

"April showers bring May flowers"!

Today is May Day.

On this day of celebrating spring...
I always think of beautiful flowers, ribbons and dancing around a Maypole.

Pretty Flowers & Sari Ribbon

Since it's May Day,
I felt it befitting to share with you, my flower embellished "Cameo" shawl.

The Cameo shawl by Louisa Harding graces the cover of Pretty Knits by Susan Cropper (from Loop in London).  The moment I saw that cover, I knew I had to knit it!  Louisa's Cameo shawl is my all-time favorite piece I have ever knit.  It's description in Pretty Knits sums it up perfectly:

"This lace stitch shawl in colors inspired by a "cameo" brooch is the height of divine knitting.  The drape and the attention to detail will make you feel gorgeous as soon as you put it on.  The flower corsage closure, replete with ribbons and buttons, makes it even more exquisite."

I changed the colorway of my Cameo shawl version to more resemble the colors of a Wedgwood blue cameo.  It made it's debut appearance a few years back when I wore it to afternoon tea at the Pump Room Restaurant while on holiday in Bath, England.  I like to think that both Louisa Harding and Jane Austen would approve of my wardrobe choice!