I have a finished object (pause for cheers and applause). Things have been rather stressful the past couple of weeks, so I decided to make this past weekend a lazy-type one. So, it was cooking, knitting, and movie-watching for me. (Incidentally, I love horror movies, so this is usually a great time of year for my TV-viewing pleasure. I don’t know about you, but I think the movies being shown are rather lame this year. Sheez.) My knitting accomplishment was the completion of the Dulce Neck Cozy.
Contrary to how it looks in the photo, the buttons are properly aligned.
This is one of those times when yarn choice was not the best to show off the pattern. I used single stranded Knit Picks Crayon. It’s a DK weight boucle. Now, I knew when I started the project that the pattern would not be as prevalent if I used this yarn. So, why did I? Well I love Crayon, but mostly, it was a simple matter of economics. I bought 6 skeins of Crayon in this colorway for a project. Of course, now I can’t remember what I was going to make. So, since the pattern suggests DK, I decided to use the yarn. I do like how it turned out. It’s very light and soft, and the green is gorgeous.
The pattern states that if the “holes” created by the pattern are large enough, you don’t have to make the buttonholes; simply push the button through the pattern hole. Well, I decided to make the buttonholes, feeling my buttons were too big. Wrong. As a result, I’ve done some sewing around the buttonhole to make it smaller, since I didn’t have larger buttons.
The Dulce Neck Cozy is a quick and easy knit. Once you get past the buttonholes, it’s just a 2-row repeat. It’s perfect for TV knitting.
Knit Green
It seems as though it’s all about being green these days, and knitters are participating as well. At first glance, how to knit green might seem fairly obvious. But, as many who have “gone green” in other aspects of their lives, doing so can be very confusing. Not everything that claims to be green actually is.
Knitters now have a guide to making their projects green. In her book Knit Green: 20 Projects & Ideas for Sustainability, Joanne Seiff demystifies green knitting. Readers will learn about green fibers, including hemp. They’ll also learn how their fiber selections can help support sustainable farms. Do you prefer to knit with nonmanmade fibers? Check out “Vegan Knitting.” Do words like “organic” and “natural” confuse you? What exactly do they mean when it comes to fiber? Seiff clearly explains these and other terms found on fiber labels. And yes, it can sometimes be expensive to be green, but Seiff shows knitters how they can reuse and recycle fiber.
Knit Green also provides information on how knitters can help support folk and indigenous traditions. For example, purchase your products from a co-op. If knitting a traditional fair isle pattern, consider buying yarn produced from Shetland sheep. In some cases, money raised through these sales is used for supporting the breed, which until recently, was categorized as “rare.” You’ll also learn about companies and projects that promote fair trade and fair work. Buy from them, and you’ll be supporting individuals in fiber-related businesses all over the world.
Interspersed with the clearly written, interesting, and informative text are patterns for projects such as, neck warmers, mittens, placemats, sweaters, and socks. The instructions are well written and easy to follow. Each project is illustrated with at least one photograph.
The book also includes information about techniques, sources for green fibers, and a comprehensive index.
Knit Green is well designed (with the exception that it does not lie flat), well written, and beautifully photographed. It would be an asset to any knitting library, and it can help us become environmentally responsible knitting citizens of the world.
A GIVEAWAY
Would you like a copy of Knit Green: 20 Projects & Ideas for Sustainability? Leave a comment on this blog entry by Monday, November 2, 2009. A comment will be selected at random, and the writer will receive a copy of the book. REMEMBER: only comments left on this entry are eligible for the drawing.
Eskimimiknits
Knitters without Borders
The Evolving Sock Knitter
Action Against Hunger
Doctors Without Borders
Feeding America
Lynne Cohen Foundation for Ovarian Cancer Research
Ovarian Cancer National Alliance
42 Comments
thanks for the review–sounds like a fun book!
Great review and giveaway. I’m in!
Susie´s last blog ..Or Make It Yourself
Green is definitely the word for it. Sounds like a great book.
What a great giveaway!! I’ve been eying this book!
Natalie´s last blog ..Heading to SAFF on Thursday!!
Nice yarn re-purpose! Thank you for the review and giveaway — count me in!
Ina´s last blog ..Modest Success
Soft and snuggly on one’s neck sounds perfect this morning as I look out at the layer of frost on the grass. I’d love to own that book…so of course, I am in!
Jenn´s last blog ..Fabulously Fun Friday…
Sounds like a great book I would love to have a copy.
I love to upcycle, recycle and repurpose! Looks like a great book. Thanks for your generosity.
Nice cowl! The books sounds interesting. I’ll have to see if I win it before I acquire it myself.
Jessica´s last blog ..Stash Enhancement
Thanks for the fun! I’d love it.
Jane´s last blog ..There IS Hope For Teenage Sons
Beautiful neck cozy- very rich color!
The book sounds great, I enjoyed your review. I’d love to learn more about sustainable knitting and what to buy!
Megan´s last blog ..Wedding knitting <3
I always try to be as green as possible with my knitting, both resource and knitting community-wise. It would be nice to read about someone elses take on it.
hi there! count me in for the give-a-way!
I would love a copy of this book! oh my gosh!
This looks like an excellent book. Thanks for offering it.
Natalie´s last blog ..Misery
Count me in on the giveaway, Ida! I’m always conscious of new ways that can be used for buying and selling green.
And, you already know how I love that cowl!
Daniele´s last blog ..Plumes and Orangutans
Oooh, I’ve seen this book mentioned elsewhere & it looks lovely.
Natalie´s last blog ..Pseudo-Rhinebeck
OOh, this book looks fantastic! I love Ravelry because I’m always finding new people, blogs and books to get hooked on. Oh, I would love to add this to my knitting book stash.
Sounds like a book I’d really enjoy. I’m especially interested in the bit about supporting indigenous traditions.
kchealy´s last blog ..Mary Jane, Complete
great giveaway, thanks!
I like the cowl and love the book:) Hugs Darcy
Darcy´s last blog ..~*Local Gringos & A Giveaway*~
That sounds like something I would do — knit from stash if possible!
I was really surprised to learn how much processing some “green” type yarns take – for instance soy based – it’s not from the fibers!! Now I’m tempted to write the yarn companies and ask them to change the contents to “rayon made from soy fiber”…
Leslie´s last blog ..Politics, Anyone?
Oh pick me! pick me!
That sounds like a great book! Count me in!
Kate´s last blog ..Stash Enhancement Sunday
Great review! The book sounds wonderful and I would love to be able to win it.
Beverly´s last blog ..Help Miss Violet Escape!
What a great giveaway ! Count me in!! And I really enjoy your blog too. I love finding new blogs!!
Nothing like a giveaway to get lots of comments.
Love the Dulce neck cozy! I will have to put it on the needles soon.
Carmen´s last blog ..Owls and Gloves
Your site has some fantastic reviews. The book sounds really interesting
Love the green too… well, any green really.
Saff´s last blog ..Doh!
I am really interested, as I am busy trying to make my ‘footprint’ smaller. Thanks for sharing this book!
This is the first I heard of the book. Went to Amazon and looked at what it was all about and looks like it is a great book.
Hi,
What a nice blog you have! I’m so glad that I found it. And that book really sounds interesting!
Take good care of yourself!
Lena Lundbladh´s last blog ..FO’s
Thanks so much for this review and giveaway, i would love to win this awesome book!!
Tanya´s last blog ..Bending Towards The Sun by Leslie Gilbert-Lurie A Review
Hi! I love knitting books – I’m totally in!
The neckwarmer is lovely, by the way – you chose the perfect buttons.
Steffi´s last blog ..Douglas
I Love green! Both the color and the life philosophy. Great review.
Thanks so much for the review. I’m really glad to see such a book, because I’ve come across a few people who specifically ask for stuff made from vegan yarn. Every little bit helps the environment!
My first visit to this site, I really like it and will be back, thanks!
I would love to win this book. The author, Joanne Seiff has a group on Ravelry – she has been posting about her new patterns from the book.
http://www.ravelry.com/groups/fans-of-joanne-seiff
I would love a chance of winning this book! Nice neck cozy too!
Pat´s last blog ..Getting Your Administration On Board
What a nice neck cozy. Count me in please on the giveaway.
Shell´s last blog ..Wool Soaker With Lace Skirt in Grey (USD $40.00)
Great review! I think it’s a little more difficult for knitters to go green simply because we are unaware of the processes involved in creating the yarn we use.
Is it too late to win a copy of the knitting green book? I hope not!
Oh, I’ve been out of town for work, so just saw this now – Sooooooo here’s my comment: I feel I am about as green as one can get, LOL, but really I consider myself a really green person & would love to win a copy. And it sounds as if it would be a really great book.
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