New American Knits Giveaway!

UPDATE 6.6.14:  Congratulations to Emma, the winner of New American Knits. Emma, please check your email for further instructions. Yes, Massachusetts was the 6th state and I did indeed grow up in Norwell.

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It's no secret I'm a fan of our great country.

Yes, a country - like people - is always a work in progress, but I'm proud of the ingenuity that continues to come from our fellow citizens. One of my very favorite things about knitting is that it's truly universal. Sure, some of us may be continental knitters, other English, we may have a few "pit knitters" who tuck the needle under their armpit, or throw it around their neck like the do in Portugal, but we all end up with a knit stitch that looks universally the same. I used to teach in a women's shelter when we lived in New York and only half the women spoke English. The great thing about volunteering there was it didn't matter what I spoke or what they spoke - we communicated through our knitting, a lot of them told me they forgot their troubles for a couple of hours and we bonded over our craft, like so many millions of women have done before us.

I was excited to get my hands on a copy of Amy Christoffers' new book, New American Knits (Interweave / F+W; $24.99). I was immediately drawn to the title and was interested to see what Amy's take on classic American sportswear patterns was.

I was lucky enough to work with Amy when she had a garment in my Knitting Architecture book. I loved the cardigan inspired by the Arts & Crafts Movement she designed and knit. She was recently announced as the new Design Director for Berroco and you can read her blog here. Talk about a talented lady!

I found this book to have quite a few designs I'd want to knit. I like "sporty" knits and am very much a cardigan girl. This book has a great balance of both cardis and pullovers with a few accessories like a cowl, shawl and fingerless mitts thrown in coming to total of 20 patterns. I liked the yarn choices and the palette was nicely paired with the photo location. All of the garments would be ideal wardrobe staples and are classic enough that they can be worn for years to come. In true Interweave fashion, the charts were easy to read, the schematics clear and readable and the garments had a nice array of sizes provided. I wear a lot of jeans and t-shirts with over-the-top sparkly jewelry, and a lot of these designs would fit into my style.

A few of my favorites from the book:

I really want to knit this red sweater. I love cables and calling for a worsted means it would knit up pretty quickly!

And now for the giveaway!

Leave the answer to this trivia question in the comment section of this post to be entered to win a copy of this fantastic book (USA residents only, please): Massachusetts became part of our nation as which number state (I am from Massachusetts. Bonus points if you know the town I grew up in)?

A winner will be randomly chosen on Friday, June 6th.

Bring on the Sparkle

If you're a frequent TanisKnits reader, you've probably come to recognize some of my knitwear models. There's my son of course, my son's gorgeous and amazing preschool teacher, knitting friends, playground mom friends, friends from college and high school, friends who are actually models and 2 little girls that frequent our lives on a weekly basis. I find time and time again, people you know and are comfortable with make better models, hands down.

Brynna and Rory are the daughters of a dear friend, Mary Beth, and both have modeled for me before. Both girls come with their mom to our house on Wednesday evenings for dinner and playtime, while their mom and I chat it up in the kitchen. I met their mother in a knitting class I taught and she quickly became not only one of my favorite students, but a great friend, especially when we learned we lived a few blocks away from each other on Capitol Hill.

Even though we've moved across the river to Virginia, it's only a handful of miles away and we see them often. They come here to crash on Wednesday evenings before I teach and they head off to Irish Step Dancing class. I've enjoyed getting to know them better, watch how they and my son interact, watching them growing into wonderful young ladies and get some adult time with another crafty mom while they play.

School and Irish Step have recently come to and end for the summer season. While we'll continue our visits at the water spray ground and random playdates during the hot months, I wanted to send them off with something special, something very THEM. I dug through my yarn and came across a lone skein of Cascade's Cherub Aran Sparkle in "striking purple." A bright fuchsia-colored yarn with SPARKLES for 2 girls under the age of 8? I can't think of a better yarn to use to make them a little something special until we return to our breakneck pace in the fall.

Wanting to make them something they could share and wear, I decide to knit each of them up a headband with a botanical theme. I knit up 2 and realized I had more than enough for 2 more. 4 headbands out of 1 skein? Yes! I love yardage that seems to go on and on forever and this didn't disappoint with 240 yards. Cherub Aran Sparkle meets all the standards I have when knitting for other people's children - it's incredibly soft (the metallic strand doesn't make it itchy like some yarns with metallic in them can be with 54% nylon, 42% acrylic, 4% metallic), it's superwash (hooray for yarns that can go in the washer and dryer!), it had over a dozen colors to choose from, many of which were ideal for these self-described "girly girls," the yardage was generous, the price point was great and most importantly, I knew both girls would love it!

Knitting up swiftly on US 7s, the patterns are easy to adjust for any head circumference. Shorten or lengthen the cord ties, or add or subtract lace reps to fit your needs. There are 4 botanical-themed bands to choose from, with a few leaf patterns, a daisy and some interesting edges happening. Knit 1 or all! How cute would these be for a flower girl at a wedding, birthday party favors or just for dress up?

Happy summertime!

Download the free pattern here.

On My Way

I was an animation major at RISD. I am also a knitter. I love when worlds collide.

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/92767692]

Silver Screen Knits Volume II

UPDATE 5.19.14: Congratulations to winner Karen Lauterwasser! Karen, check your email! --------------------------

I am a HUGE film lover. I tripled majored at RISD in film, animation and video, concentrating in computer animation. I worked my way through the AFI's top 100 films in 2002 and while going to the movies is a big treat now (involving a babysitter and major planning) I try to go at least once a month. There's something magical about being whisked away into someone else's story, embraced by the darkness, the stadium seating and the gentle munching of popcorn around me. If I have some simple garter or stockinette on my needles, I usually bring it with me, clicking away and immersing myself in what's happening on the screen. If I could, I'd go to the movies every single day.

A few years back, I was asked by knitwear designer Kathleen Lawton-Trask (who is oddly enough married to a man whose sister my brother went to elementary school with) to contribute to her collection on film-inspired knits. The result is a collection of chic, wearable designs honoring the stars of cinema’s golden era. Silver Screen Knits will transport you back to old Hollywood.

Published in two volumes, the books celebrate knitters’ love affair with the movies and include introductions to each featured film star, notes about must-see moments in classic films, and quotations from some memorable characters. Read about each garment’s cinematic inspiration while you work with luxurious yarns and unique designs.

Volume One was published in fall 2013 and includes patterns by Ann Weaver, Veera Välimäki, Karida Collins, Danielle Romanetti, Becky Wolf, and Kathleen Lawton-Trask. Volume Two was published yesterday on May 15, 2014, and includes patterns by Susanna I-C, Ann Weaver, Tanis Gray (me), Danielle Romanetti, Becky Wolf, and Kathleen Lawton-Trask.

I designed a pair of extra-long fingerless mitts, inspired by Hedy Lamarr. Lamarr, nicknamed "The Most Beautiful Woman In Films," was an Austrian actress and inventor. Her most significant technological contribution was her co-invention of an early technique for spread spectrum communications and frequency hopping, which paved the way for today's wireless communications and which, upon its invention in 1941, was deemed so vital to national defense that government officials would not allow publication of its details. She was known for the films Samson and Delilah, Ecstasy and Algiers.

Knit up in one hank of Malabrigo Sock, these lacy fingerless mitts are knit in the round and fall halfway between the shoulder and elbow. Check out all 12 patterns and purchase the ebook here.

Why not do another giveaway? Answer this trivia question about Hedy Lamarr (US residents only, please): What was Hedy Lamarr's real name? Leave a comment here on the blog with the answer and a winner will be chosen at random on Monday, May 19th.

One lucky winner will win a copy of Silver Screen Knits Volume II and be contacted on Monday via email.