on the edge

Posted on annePosted in book reviews/events

the influence of the internet on knitting and knitters over the last decade is almost incalculable. before it, knitters who could afford to travel and study found ways to explore our craft in the outer regions and to meet other fiber artists worldwide. some of us would develop pen pal exchanges with a knitter or two who lived far away. but for the most part, our knitting friendships were limited to a small circle of knitters who lived within driving distance and who had time to share.
if you happened to find them.

and working relationships between authors were much more precious, requiring the ability and funding to travel periodically and to use the the telephone at length, then to further trade files by shipping hardcopy pages back and forth. now two knitting authors can easily get together via email, skype, and file sharing, to create an article, book, or other work project—in fact it can be done without the two parties ever actually meeting in person or using a traditional publishing house. the possibilities make one’s head spin.

and it just such a project that i have to show off today.



coastal knits is a brand new collection of sweater and accessory patterns from bicoastal author/designer friends hannah fettig and alana dakos

one of them lives on the west coast of the united states and one on the east coast. this collection of ten designs celebrates their friendship and is inspired by where each of them lives.

from alana on the west coast, for instance, we have some lovely light sweaters that you could throw on for a walk along the beach or when entering a restaurant, but tuck away in a tote while shopping.

her designs are influenced by light and by the year-round presence of flowers and greenery.

i think my favorite piece in the book is the rustling leaves beret

i love the way the pattern converges to the top point. it’s similar, though not the same as, the beret i’ve been working on during my trip. i might have to knit one of these too!

hannah’s sweaters reflect the dark blue water of the atlantic ocean and the rocky coastline near her home on the east coast.

in addition to the patterns included, we also get a peek at the yarns that inspire these two designers

from the east coast, hannah introduces us to string theory hand dyed yarn.

and from the west coast, we meet yarns from alpenglow and pigeonroof studios.

there is also a short section on how to choose the right size for you, accompanied by tricks and tips for making your way through the patterns included.

my very favorite tip of all???

seee? i’m not the only designer and teacher who sounds like a broken record! it’s good advice.

not only have hannah and alana shared this book with us on the blog today—they have also set aside a giveaway copy for knitspot readers. aren’t we lucky this week?

if you’d like to win it, leave a comment at the end of this post by 9 pm EST on sunday, nov 20th. we’ll announce as soon as possible after that; i’m teaching at a retreat over the weekend and i’m not sure when i’ll be posting (definitely by next tuesday, though).

471 thoughts on “on the edge”

  3. I would love to win the Coastal Knits book…have been drooling over the cabled sweater…..Thanks for the chance to win it!

  4. Oh….there are some lovely patterns in that book. I would love to win!! Thanks for the opportunity!

  5. I would love to receive this book. I am thrilled it has one of my favorite yarn shops in it-string theory!

  8. I would love to have the book- my son and daughter in law live on the west coast and I live on the east coast so i could benefit from both designers!

  9. Have not seen this book yet – thanks for offering it. Good to see the work of new designers getting published.

  16. The lightweight sweaters would also be great during a chilly spring day on the east coast! I would love to win a copy of the book. 🙂

  19. Thanks for this generous offer. A friend and I were just discussing how over the last 5-10 years it feels as if there has been a huge proliferation of talented knitters, dyers and spinners. Then she pointed out that they could have been there all along – we just had no easy way to connect like
    we do now. So the web has probably helped promote and grow these
    satisfying arts/crafts as you so aptly describe.

  21. I have been eyeing this book online formthe last week, and would love a copy. I really love the Rocky Coast cardigan!

  22. So many wonderful patterns in this book – it’s definitely at the top of my book wish list. Thanks for the opportunity!

  23. This coastal knitter thinks the book looks beautiful. I’d love a copy. Thanks for offering a chance.

  29. I would love to own a copy of this beautiful book! I have admired the patterns in this book and now a chance to win it! Thank you for your generous giveaway. :p

  35. Thanks for introducing me to this lovely book, Anne….and thank you for this thoughtful and generous offer!

  41. Such a wonderful book! There are so many patterns I would love to knit, especially the rustling leaves beret!

  43. I have heard so much about this book the past few weeks! I’ve been a listener of never not knitting for awhile and I’d love to knit some of those patterns! The rustling leaves beret and wildflower cardigan would be top on my list!

  44. I love the patterns in the book–I actually have it, but will gladly give my copy to my daughter if I am picked. Thanks Anne!

  46. Ditto on knitting the beret! I’m not a huge fan of berets, but I think that one’s a must-knit.

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