say what you will about the month of march; so far, it’s been beautiful here—no lions in sight. yes, it’s still cold (mostly in the 20s still), but we’ve had sun and luminous blue skies and breezes instead of wind. breezes carrying that particular softness which tells me spring is approaching.
while we are far from the day when actual flowers might appear—there is still a great deal of snow cover in the yard—this change in temperament does make my mind turn to gardening and my fingers itch for soil.
without the actual cooperation of the season, one must look elsewhere to satisfy the urge to cultivate garden color and, as luck would have it, the solution landed on my doorstep in the form of a new paperback book release from sixth&spring books
nicky epstein’s knitted flowers reads like a very beautiful garden catalog.
the creations within represent a wide range of floral shapes and varieties which are surprisingly delicate and lifelike, with a good dose of whimsy added for fun.
nicky has also used a variety of knitting styles and constructions to produce these little lovelies; techniques such as felting, beading, lace, and i-cord are all represented.
likewise, she has made great use of a range of fibers and yarns here—small amounts of novelty yarns (don’t we all have a tub full of them somewhere?) are transformed into pieces that add a focal point to any plain project.
ribbons, fur, eyelash, ladders, and chenille—you name it, it’s in here.
nicky’s penchant for embellishment is fully realized in these pieces, with many examples showing embellishments on the embellishments with surprisingly tidy outcome.
the book is not just a catalog of flowers, however—many full-scale projects are included as well. some use a single example of floral embellishment to add interest and some are made up almost entirely of floral texture.
in many instances, the reader is led through the construction of single flower projects which are completely attractive on their own
then shown how to use them in multiples to trim a larger project
flowers and projects alike are presented at every skill level
from simple lace to more complex combinations of colorwork and structure,
though i don’t think any one of them requires very advanced knitting skills. patience and a willingness to work in a smaller stitch space are probably most important here, along with good finishing technique.
now, here’s the part you’re going to like: sixth&spring books is offering a free copy of nicky epstein’s knitted flowers to one lucky reader. to be included in the drawing for this book, please leave a comment at the end of this post by sunday, march 7, no later than 9 pm. the winner will be announced on monday morning.
many thanks to nicky epstein and sixth&spring books for sharing this publication with us today.
and hopefully, i’ll be back in business soon with my camera to resume regular blogging (the new spare battery arrived yesterday; i have high hopes that today’s mail will bring me the charger i desperately need . . .)
205 thoughts on “flower girl”
What a wonderful book! And flower embellishements are all the style these days. I need this book so I can use up leftover sock yarn (pick me, pick me . . .)
Happy birthday to me; happy birthday to me. . . .
Those flowers look lovely.
Oh that looks like fun!! Thank you for the great review!
(((hugs)))
Oooh, a lovely treat for pre-spring, right before we get more snow.
WOW! Those flowers look amazing! I hope I am lucky enough to win a copy of this book. If not I will have to wait for it from the library.
ooooo. That book is amazing, I can’t wait to check that out!
That book would be such a lovely addition to my knitting “library”!
The photos in that book are so lovely. They’re making me want to attach knitted flowers to everything!
Wow! Her designs are so insirational. Thanks for the chance
The photos are stunning. I would love to be included in a draw.
Dawn
What a lovely tour through such a wonderful book.
Wow, what a gorgeous book. Thank you!
The blue ones remind me of a lei! I’d love to knit leis of flowers in differet colors. If I made them two-tone in light yellow and white, they would look like plumeria. Okay, I’m planning a project with a pattern from a book I don’t have. Leaving now to check library then Borders in case I don’t win it here! Thanks for the contest!
Wow, such pretty and elaborate designs…
That book looks fantastic… Thanks for having this drawing!
nicky’s flowers inspire me to try new things, i love her work!
I have wanted to try knitted flowers for a long time–it would be a great way to cheer up my office, and I’d love to have flowers that my cat wouldn’t eat.
Beautiful photos in the book – I would love to own a copy, please enter me in the drawing.
I’m amazed at the beautiful flowers in the pictures/book. I’ve never done knitted flowers but now I’m tempted. Please enter my name in the drawing as I’d love to win it. Thanks Anne you’re the best.
My comment? I love flowers of any sort and this book looks lovely! Also want you to know–on a moderately related theme–that it’s time to start the garden seeds here in SE Michigan! We have cabbage and spinach and lettuce and basil sprouted here….spring is not far away! 🙂
I am a gardener and knitter and the flowers just scream spring. My fingers itch to make them. What a beautiful book.
Ohhhhh! Ahhhhh! What a gorgeous book – the photos make the pieces look like they are coming off the page. Please, please, please random number generator pick me!
really a blooming book – fantastic work – lovely and gorgeous!
greetings – gudrun
I would love that book!
My crocuses are just starting to pop up so I have flowers (and spring) on the mind.
Yay! A book giveaway! Please enter my name in the drawing.
The blue flowers are gorgeous! I would really enjoy this book right now!
Weirdly, I am totally drawn to every project pictured in that book. And usually I am much more the frugal Yankee knitter – things with a purpose. But I’m thinking I’ll have to order that book regardless. Thanks for sharing!
here’s my name in the ring for a special book – makes me LONG for spring!
I would love to be included in the drawing. Nicky Epstein always has such fun ideas.
Those flowers look amazing – I’m currently knitting up a bunch and putting them on magnets at my office – a bit if cheer in a windowless room 🙂 Please enter me in the drawing – this book would certainly broaden my options
Those are lovely; I would love to win the book. I’ll bet I’d have more luck with knitted flowers than the real thing also. Here all that happens is the deer eat them!
Ooh . . . these make me yearn for spring as well.
Hi Anne, Tnanks for the kind words about my Knitted Flowers book–It is one of my favorite books, and the comments of your readers were very gracious. If you or them wish to contact me,I am on Facebook at NickyKnits by Nicky Epstein, or on my website at nickyepstein.com.Many thanks,again, Nicky
PS I think your designs are lovely.
Nikky’s stuff is so amazing. I’m sure this is another great book!
The creative genius is awe inspiring. Thanks, Anne for opening up this book for us.
Looks like a fun book. Everyone needs more flowers, especially this time of year in the Northern hemisphere.
Beautiful book! I have a friend who has some flowers coming up through the snow right now – I believe they’re called Winter aconite. After they bloom, she’s going to dig some up and give to me, so from next end of winter on, I can have flowers in the snow!
What beautiful flowers! Thanks for showing us. Please enter me in the drawing.
oh pretty! i haven’t done any felting to speak of, but this would be a fun book. thanks for sharing.
What a fantastic book! Love to look at and knit from many of her others. Looking forward to this one.
Pick me! Pick me! (Raises arm and waves hand excitedly!) Deliciously beautiful. Would love to have it just to look at the photography, even if I never knit a stitch from it! It would grace my coffe table! Thanks for the opportunity to try my luck!
knitted flowers bring thoughts of spring!
Just returned from an afternoon of x-country skiing in the Adirondacks–ready to get back to knitting my longjohn socks but just had to check out knitspot first-the flowers brought a smile -thanks
Gorgeous book! What incredible photos!!
I feel like a giggling teenager . . piick me, pick me! But the designs are so lovely I cam excited. SPring has come!!
Lovely, lovely flowers!!
Hallo I love this book. Sigh. I think if I do not win, I shall have to break out the plastic.
What a beautiful book. Great blog too.
A Definite Work Of Art!
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