My favorite holiday is just a few days away. Oh, and though it might be difficult to tell which one that is based on music played on the radio and television commercials, I’m talking about Thanksgiving! I love the cooking–and the eating isn’t bad, either.
Though many of us would like to delude ourselves that Hanukkah and Christmas are still far away, the truth of the matter is that they will be here before you know it. It seems as though most handknit gifts are in progress; many are already finished. I don’t make many handknit gifts, but this year I will be making two. Last year, one of the members of my knitting guild mentioned what she and her family do. They make something to exchange and another of the same to donate to charity. Our guild adopted that practice last year and are continuing it this season. We’re calling our holiday party an Armed Forces Holiday. We are knitting a gift to donate to one of the charities collecting such items and another one (or something similar) for a member of our guild. I’m knitting the Waffle Ribbed Neck Gaiter for the Troops designed by Beth Koskie. It’s a very easy knit. All items made for ground troops must be made in 100% animal fiber, and I am using Wool of the Andes in Maple Syrup that was in my stash. As for my gift for a guild member, I’m either going to make a cowl or mobius scarf.
I hope that you’ll be able to fit in some charity knitting while you’re knitting your gifts. I know it’s difficult to find the time, but the rewards are unbeatable.
Put Lily Chin in Your Knitting Bag
If you have knitters or crocheters on your holiday gift list–or if you’re looking for new books to add to your library–be sure to take a look at two new books by fiber legend Lily Chin: Lily Chin’s Knitting Tips & Tricks and Lily Chin’s Crochet Tips & Tricks.
Each book begins with the basics: needles and yarn. The basics of knitting or crocheting follow, making these excellent books for those new to knitting or crochet. Then, Lily gives knitters and crocheters the benefit of her years of experience by sharing her techniques and tips. Whether you’re looking for the right cast on, trying to read that dreaded by necessary gauge swatch, or setting in sleeves, Lily has been there and provides her suggestions for making tasks easier.
One of the most useful sections of both books deals with fixing mistakes. Make a mistake in your color knitting? Don’t automatically start frogging. Read how you can use a duplicate stitch or even a colored marker to fix the boo-boo. Misscross a cable? Don’t panic. Lily shows you how to fix it without ripping back to the beginning.
Lily has taught her Tips & Tricks classes since 1994. They are very popular and fill up quickly. Though we might not be able to attend one of the classes, we now have the opportunity to take advantage of Lily’s knowledge when and were we need it. The books are small, approximately 5 3/8 X 7 3/8, meaning they fit easily into almost any project bag. The drawings and diagrams are well done and helpful. Whether you’re a knitter or crocheter, Lily’s books shouldn’t sit on your shelf. Have them where you need them–with your projects–because you’ll refer to them time and again.
The publisher of Lily Chin’s Knitting Tips & Tricks and Lily Chin’s Crochet Tips & Tricks sent me two copies of each book. So, I’m going to share with the readers of Knit-a-While. Post a comment on this entry, and you’ll be entered in a drawing to receive a copy of both books! Comments must be posted by 11 PM (EST), December 4 to be entered into the contest.
REMEMBER: Only comments on this post count as an entry to the giveaway.
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
51 Comments
Those look like great books! Thanks for the review and please enter me in your drawing
Loribird´s last blog ..Starting again
oh yeah! those look like great books–I’d love to learn how to crochet from Lilly,
ann-marie mackay´s last blog ..Mittens
I have Lily Chin’s Knitting and Crocheting with Beads, and her Mosaic Afghan books. She is awesome!
Thanks for the giveaway, Ida! You are awesome as well.
Daniele´s last blog ..Plumes and Orangutans
You are lucky to have received these books, and it’s so generous of you to share with one of us! Thank you.
Amanda´s last blog ..Friday Fill-Ins
Ooh, now, they do look like an absolute treasure trove of information, so I can’t help but put my name into the hat for this one. I shall cross my fingers until the outcome!
Mimi´s last blog ..Squoffle (pattern)
I’m a major believer in charity knitting. Through charity knitting (prayer shawls/Linus blankets) my passion for knitting was renewed. I now spend–or try to–2.5 hours a day charity knitting. My current project is sweaters for children–either homeless or residents of Pine Ridge Reservation. My LYS donated about 50 skeins of yarn that is suitable for these and I have some stash yarns that will be used for them. Please put my name in the pot for the books.
Yep…I think I need those books. I’m always picking up stitches the wrong way when I have to back up so then they twist weird when I re knit them. Oh, and then there was that time I forgot to work one of my cables and didn’t notice it for like 4 rows. Yep, a mistake fixing tip book needs to be in my library
I love the book Knitting for Peace. It’s all about charity knitting. I’m hoping to use some of my odds and ends yarn to make some little socks for charity knitting…just as soon as I learn how to make socks
Jenn´s last blog ..MIA?
I will probably never have the opportunity to take a class from Lily and learning from her books would be as close as I would ever get. Her tricks would improve my skills.
Those books look incredible! I’m a newbie knitter, so the knitting book would definitely be useful…and I don’t know how to crochet, so it would be nice to learn!
How wonderful-I want to learn to knit and have been crocheting and never owned any of Lily Chin’s books.
Deneen´s last blog ..Rest in Peace Tim Barber
Wow, thank you!
Jane´s last blog ..I Won – and I Like Winning!
I just saw that book at B&N. Lilly Chin is awesome!
Happy Thanksgiving! Thanks for the excellent charity knitting suggestion and for a very nice giveaway!
Ina´s last blog ..Street View
Thanks! I’d love to be entered.
Happy Thanksgiving!
What a great giveaway! Count me in- I love knitting books!
Have a great holiday!
Kate´s last blog ..Christmas Panic
Hi Ida!
I didn’t know Lily Chin had written books! I’ll bet they are crammed with good info!
Enjoy your holiday!
Aponi
Hi Ida,
There you go again, being all generous and stuff!
Thanks for the review. If I don’t win the knitting one, I’ll be buying it.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Nan
Natalie´s last blog ..Simple connection
Wow, cool. I had no idea Lily Chin had books too! Thank you for this opportunity and Happy Thanksgiving!
Natalie F´s last blog ..B – B – B – Buttons?
The Lily Chin books sound fab. The gift idea is neat too.
Saff´s last blog ..‘If at first you don’t succeed’, or ‘why I’m not renewing my subscription to Let’s Knit!’
What a wonderful giveaway!
I am trying to build up my knitting/crocheting library! 
Thanks bunches!
Zaneta
Zaneta´s last blog ..Fun times and ABC swap goodies
I’d love these books! I do mostly my own patterns, and I spend more time looking for how-to tips and how-to-fix-it advice than anything else!
What a wonderful idea your knitting guild has!! I’m anxious to get a copy of the Lily Chin knitting book. Maybe if I don’t win, Santa will bring one.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Cool!
I need all the tips and tricks I can get! I’m also anxious to explore your blog… I’ll get on that now.
Sarah´s last blog ..New Yarn!
The books look amazing. Thanks for the opportunity to enter the contest.
I too am a bit freaked out by how close Christmas is getting!
lexyjane´s last blog ..The sound of one hand knitting…..
please enter my name for the wonderful giveaway!
These both look great. I’m sure I could learn a few new tricks from both of these.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(dot)com
ooh ooh! Pick me! Pick me! If I win, I’ll even donate the crochet book to Bev, since I don’t crochet, only knit.
Love the idea of charity knitting.
Heather Kinne´s last blog ..Business News Update
Oooh, lovely. How very generous. I would love to have my name in the draw.
These look like some really good books. My SIL is just learning to knit so this would be great. Thanks for the chance.
What an awesome giveaway! I’ve never read a Lily Chin book before… hmm…
Those books look pretty awesome! Hope your thanksgiving is a happy and semi-relaxed one! =)
Cadence´s last blog ..Omigosh…I’m ALIVE
How awesome are these books!!!! Thanks for sharing by offering as prize.
Hugs!!!
Cat´s last blog ..New Knitting Projects
I’m taking a class with Lily this winter, I can’t wait!
Michelle´s last blog ..My Hard Working Addi Turbos
I would love to improve my crochet skills. Please enter me.
madamerkf at aol dot com
I taught myself how to knit and how to crochet, but I know have a lot to learn. I’d love either of these books!!
Thank you for the giveaway! I have been trying to learn to knit for several years now off and on, I never get very far because the books I’ve tried have had errors in them, I’d love to give it another shot!
What a great giveaway! I’ve wanted this book since Rhinebeck.
Susie´s last blog ..Tryptophan Kicked My Butt
Lily Chin has some lovely designs@!
Carol´s last blog ..Fingernail Friday
I love knitting books.
I haven’t seen those books as of yet. I think they would make a great addition to any knitter/crocheter’s library. I would love to be entered into this drawing.
Nancy´s last blog ..This summer has been interesting.
I would never have thought of using a marker to fix a colour work mistake – I’ve learnt something new already
)
Love Lily Chin, my favorite classes are always hers. And I’d love to win one of her books. Thanks for the chance
I could definitely use some new knitting tips!
I found you on the Ravelry blog hub. Great job on your blog!
I am commenting on this post to be entered in the contest, but I also wanted to let you know I read your previous post too and am thrilled to see another Heifer supporter! I haven’t posted about Heifer myself but their catalog is where we do most of our holiday shopping. : )
These books sound great, and I would love to have either one of these in my library! Thanks for telling us about them!
Faith
Faith´s last blog ..Memories, Beautiful Clothes, and Knitting at my friend Deborah’s Wedding
These books sound great, and I would love to have either one of these in my library! Thanks for telling us about them!
Faith
A friend of my brother’s is in Iraq and I am thinking of sending him one of those gators. Hmm… would be a great excuse to stop by the LYS!
judi´s last blog ..random things and some food
I love the gaitor idea. I think I may have just the right yarn for one too! Can I tell you how much I love that there is a crochet tip and tricks book coming out? I’ve crocheted longer than I’ve knitted, but knitting seems so much easier for me to fix a mistake. I think the crochet book would come in really useful since I tend to frog the whole project until I get down to my crocheting mistake.
I am a novice knitter and I think it would be a good book to have. Please enter me in the giveaway.