while at TNNA back in june, my friend kirsten kapur slipped me a slim little book that she had just published—her new shawl book one. we asked her to tell you a little something about her new collection
Kirsten Kapur Shawl Book One is a collection of my most popular designs, as well as a few of my personal favorites. The shawls are all beautifully photographed by Gale Zucker, on location in costal Connecticut. I am very excited to see the patterns knit up in Bare Naked Wools wonderful palette of neutrals. I wish I had the time to knit one or two for myself using these delightful yarns.
(photos are included here with the permission of the author).
i love kirsten’s take on designing modern lace pieces—there’s a lot of old-fashioned lacy parts to get lost in, but she adds a fresh twist by combining them with stripey body work and bold color pairings (great for stash busting and trying out new yarns or yarn pairings).
she is absolutely queen of a big, bossy border—i bow to her choices in over-the-top victorian trimmings for otherwise simple shawl bodies.
i also admire her daring choices when she decides to go with a solid color.
but these designs do not depend on colorful yarn choices to carry the day. they are equally intriguing in subtle tones and single shades—dare i say that no-color colors even unlock some beautiful traits in them that are otherwise hidden?
our friend hattie recently knit this thalia sample in our new hempshaugh lace yarn, color millet. it’s absolutely delicious to wear with a summer or fall outfit, just what you want when the A/C is too much—nothing sticky or prickly about it, but much appreciated by chilly shoulders.
in the sun, the yarn amplifies the light as it passes through the lace work to a different extent than it would if it was dyed; the whole piece becomes infused with a pretty glow and shows off the subtle aspects of its lacework in more depth.
in fact, we thought that the publication of kirsten’s collection would be a great way to promote the use of our two newest yarn lines, hempshaugh and ginny, now that we have them in all shades.
i can totally picture this laight street wrap knit in ginny DK and it would be a simple task to turn it into a lap throw as well—how super cuddly would that be??
with fall just around the corner now, we’re going to need some lightweight scarves and wraps. or maybe you are already trying to knock out some holiday knitting, but it still feels a little warm to be knitting with stickier fibers. the hemp and cotton blends are the perfect solution
consider a soft, cottony version of moulin rouge (above, in bright pink); just big enough to offer great coverage as a scarf or shawlette, but small enough not to be hot or wintery looking. knit in one of these subtle shades of ginny sport (left to right: texas, mississippi, and georgia) it will transition you nicely from hot summer temperatures into fall—there is an ample period of time to wear such a wonderfully versatile piece. and the yardage in these skeins is just right for this project.
or consider the beautiful cover design, cladonia—it’s gorgeous!
if the stripes are exactly what you’re after, but you prefer to knit a shawl that will work with a variety of outfits, try a combination of two or three hempshaugh shades (left to right) kasha, buckwheat, and/or millet.
with two or three skeins, you can knit several shawls from the book in fact; using the leftovers from cladonia to make this ulmus shawl, for instance. either of these would be a great choice for a swap project (such as our rhinebeck swap), since these yarns are unlikely to conflict with a fiber sensitivity.
with that in mind, we came up with the idea to offer a book/yarn kit that includes your choice of ginny DK or sport and hempshaugh fingering or lace yarns; the printed book is included at a discount of $3 to knit as many shawls as you like. you can purchase the kit with one or two skeins of a single shade and then expand the possibilities by adding skeins in different shades—or even different fiber types—to your order (check out this nefertem shawl in better breakfast fingering, for example).
and to celebrate labor day, we are giving away one single size kit in ginny sport (any shade) to one lucky recipient. leave a comment at the end of this post by 9 pm EDT tonight; david will pick a winner and we’ll announce it right away.
ETA: and the winner is . . . cynthia!
happy end of summer and HAPPY fall!
110 thoughts on “a fresh take”
Lovely shawls… I’ve always wanted to knit a couple of these. And paired with your new yarns, they will be spectacular! Great idea to put them together!
What a lovely combination! It would make my day to win.
This looks really cool. I’m in love with the picture on the cover.
I love her designs and have made several already. I had totally forgotten about the book until your lovely post. Matching up your yummy yarns and Kristen’s pretty patterns, smart cookies! Thanks for the chance to win!
I love the designs and the yarns! Would love to make several of these shawls, and can’t wait to try Ginny and Hempshaugh.
Beautiful, all of them! Any would be lovely in your yarn, and so what a nice giveaway!
The high temperatures in our area has me dreaming of the cool weather that is surely around the corner. I would love to drape a shawl made with your yarn around my shoulders and head out for a walk.
What a beautiful collection of shawls, and how much fun they would be to knit in BNWs!
All of these shawls are stunning! And the perfect pairing with your yarns. I see several holiday gifts in the making!
Shawls + BNK yarns = Gorgeous. I would be So grateful to win a kit.
Lots of ideas floating in my head now! I have been working on sweaters. This would be a great time to begin an interesting shawl!
Love Kristin’s shawls and would love to try some more of your yarns! 🙂
I love all of these shawls and plan on knitting some soon. Your yarns make them pop!
Wow! Pretty patterns and wonderful new yarn choices! I would be honored to win the opportunity.
I’ve had Kristin’s shawls on my “to knit” list for a while now. I’d love a chance to knit one and try out your yarn at the same time 🙂
Kirsten Kapur and Bare Naked Wools…..the best of both worlds. Count me in please!
I would love to make one of those shawls in your yarn. Sounds like the perfect match.
Beautiful shawls and yarn. Thank you for the giveaway!
Several of Kristins patterns are already on my favorite list…tomorrow’s my birthday: choose me, choose me!
I have loved Kristin’s patterns and they will be sensational with your yarns!
What lovely photos and shawls, a perfect match with your yarns, put me in the ring!
Gorgeous combo of shawls and yarn.
Lovely shawls! Can’t wait to start.
I have knitted a few of Kirsten’s kal mystery shawls and they are my favorites. I love the colors of some of the yarns featured above. I’m so excited for autumn and shawl wearing season!
Lovely shawls! I would love to knit one of these–there are so many to choose from.
I love Kristen Kapur’s designs!!! I think the chance to work some of her lace in a lovely neutral would be brilliant! I’ve currently only made her shawls in bright colors.
Hattie, that shawl is stunning!
I have always loved Kristen Kapur and Knitspot. What a treat it would be to knit one of Kristen’s designs in Knitspot yarn!
I have been looking at this book for a long time. I would also love to try your yarn. I just can’t decide what to start first!
Such pretty shawls! Just the thing for a little treat for me once I finish gift knitting!
Beautiful pairing of patterns and yarns…so hard to choose which to make first!
winning this Kapur book along with Knitspot BNW yarn would equal nirvana for me. I am unable to attend Ann’s appearance at my LST Windy Knitty due to a family conflict. This would assuage my sad feelings and make me a happy knitter again.
This surely would be an excellent beginning for autumn knitting!
The yarns are gorgeous. I love naturalist and muted colors I think these shawls will be work with everything in them. Fingers crossed.
Thank you
Oops…naturals
My fingers itch to start a shawl after seeing all these beauties!
Kirsten’s patterns would look lovely knitted up with Knitspot yarns. I see a kit in my future. Maybe an early holiday present for myself.
Kristen certainly has a unique take on shawls. Oh, the possibilities!
Stunning shawls by Kristen, made even more stunning in BareNaked Wools!
Darn autocorrect! Obviously I meant Kirsten.
Such pretty patterns, and I’d love to try the new yarn.
I love that shawl on the cover of the book. Like you said, modern mixed with lace. I could wear that without feeling like a dotty old lady in a shawl.
Beautiful designs! Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday weekend.
Boy would I love to try Ginny! And I know from long experience that Kirsten’s patterns are wonderful.
I love Cladonia and Ulmus. I’d love to make them!
Oh I love making Kirsten’s shawls, they are so wonderful! And what a perfect way to try more BNW yarn! Thank you for the opportunity.
Love those combos!
What a great pairing of yarns to patterns. I’d love to try any of your new yarns!
Ooh I have been lusting after her deigns did awhile now. What a perfect opportunity to knit one with your yarn. Please enter me in the drawing.
Great idea to have these gorgeous patterns in one place! and I’ve been wanting to try your yarns so this is the perfect giveaway – thanks for your generosity 🙂
This is a wonderful opportunity to try out your yarn – again : )
How exciting! Thanks for the opportunity!
Oh, I’d love to try one of these patterns in the Ginny!
Haven’t yet had the chance to try out Ginny, what a great opportunity!
Woot, what a great offer! I loved knitting the Ginny sample socks….
Being a colour coward, I can appreciate seeing patterns in colours I would never choose, but really appreciate the fact that your natural colours can be used instead.
Mille grazie for putting your colours together for a colour scaredy cat!
Love Kristen’s designs, I just finished her summer Mystery shawl. I would love to try one of her designs with your Ginny yarn.
I love Through the Loops designs and knitting one in a natural would be great opportunity to try your yarns.
Thanks, Happy Knitting.
What a great pairing! I can just picture that Ulmus in those lovely, squooshy, naturals. (Though I think I might have to make two-so I can have a brightly colored version for those days I need more color!)
I would love to knit that Laight Street wrap in Georgia…perfect for the chilly fall nights that are coming!
beautiful patterns & yarns!
Thanks for the opportunity.
Ooh, pick me please!!
What a perfect pairing!
All the designs are begging to be knit. Remind me of a cross between what my grandmother combined with The Happy Hooker (Debbie Stoller) would design. Old lace with a modern twist. Beautiful!!
Knitspot and Kirsten Kapur – a great team!
Of course, I can’t resist commenting! There are so many beautiful designs and the neutral colors are especially appealing!
Yummy! I love fall and these shawls would’ve amazing in bnk!
Oh, what a wonderful prize! I love her designs and would love an opportunity to pair your wonderful yarn with them!
I have never won anything, so I am keeping my fingers crossed!!!
Some beautiful designs there with the temptation of some gorgeous BN yarn too. Fingers crossed!
oh what a great book! Thanks for bringing it to my attention. I can’t wait to pair up some of the designs with your yarns!
Such beautiful shawls! So perfect for the fall. Thank you for this giveaway.
Beautiful patterns with beautiful yarns.
What a great idea and a great give-away. Thanks for the opportunity.
All of the shawls would be gorgeous in the naturals. But I fell in love with the Laight Street wrap.
What a nice assortment of shapes on the shawls. And very nice giveaway of you.
I know Laight Street is going straight into my queue! What a wonderful book!
I’m a Kirsten fan; would love to win!
What a gorgeous pairing for your yarns!
Beautiful patterns AND yarn! Fingers crossed 🙂
this looks like a great way to try out your yarns. I have been following and drooling for a long time, and I love shawls. Not too big, but still a substantial project. 🙂
How lovely! I am in the middle of her typha right now! I’d love to be a lucky winner. Happy Labour Day to you, too.
Kirsten’s designs are definitely book-worthy. Those photos and the Connecticut landscape makes me lonesome for the East coast of the US. I’ve admired Through The Loops and Knitspot for many years. Lavalette and Bee Fields are two of my favorite shawls. Thank you for reminding me that I need to cast on a shawl project asap . . .
Designs and yarn look gorgeous!
I would love to try Ginny and what better way than on of these shawls.
gorgeous shawls – I have been looking at Cladonia forever, it is so appealing.
Thanks for your generous offer. I would love to knit one of her shawls with your beautiful yarn.
I love the pairing of this wonderful book with BNK yarns!
Gorgeous! Great colours and textures
How gorgeous! What a great bit of eye candy on a holiday weekend!
These are just perfect shawl patterns and I would love to get started on them. Thanks for this great offer.
Wonderful collection!
Beautiful shawls! I love her design aesthetic.
I am a fan of Kirsten and bare naked wools! What a great pairing! Thanks for the opportunity to win, win, win!
ooh! I’d love to win this! I’ve never tried any of the Knitspot yarns…this would be a most excellent way to dip my toes in! (and because you can never have too much yummy yarn, right?)
Would love to make a lovely shawl with your awesome yarn!
Looks like a lovely book of shawls and what a treat it would be to get a chance to try your Ginny yarn!
I would like to knit one of the shawls in Texas!
Lovely–designs and bare naked yarns. What a great combo!
So many shawls, so little time!!! Thanks for the chance to win!!
Beautiful designs and yarns. Would love to make any of them with your
fantastic yarn!!
I enjoyed your interview on Sweet Georgia’s podcast. These shawls are gorgeous.
A beautiful collection of shawls!
Wow, these shawls would be beautiful in your yarns!
Lovely shawls and lovely yarn.
Wow! I want to knit all of them. I have to have this book and some yarn, of course!
What a great giveaway! I’m sure all of the designs would look fantastic knit in any shade of your beautiful yarns.
Lovely patterns! I just discovered shawls and would love to win this yarn to use with these patterns
Love, love, love these patterns!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love the Shawls! Would be marvy to knit some up in Bare Naked wools!
Even though I swore off buying any more knitting books, these last two blogs are going to be hard to pass by with the patterns shown and your yarn!! What to do, what to do…….