Legendary Knits Vol.3~Review and Give-away...

 ** This giveaway is now closed. Thank you for all who entered!**

 

For those who have read my blog for a while know that I am often lucky enough to test/sample knit for a dear friend, who also happens to be a wonderful designer, Anne Podlesak.

 

 © Kristen Brooks Photography

Just so happens that one of Anne's latest books has been released, Legendary Knits Volume Three. In true Anne form it is loaded with beautiful fairy tale themed designs. To chose a favorite is no simple task, but I will try.

 

 © Kristen Brooks Photography

Alright, so maybe I am biased having knit this beauty up as a sample for Anne. This is the Isis Shawl.

 

 © Kristen Brooks Photography

While I did not knit this up, I do see this love on my needles in the future. This sweet knit is The Little Mermaid Sweater. The details on the sweater are stunning, right?

 

 
© Kristen Brooks Photography

What is not to love about delicate mitts with flowers? The colors combination in the Flora Mitts are perfection.

Anne has a way with interpreting her love for fairy tales to treasured hand knits like no other. This got me thinking about what inspired her to create the Legendary Knits Volumes, so I asked her.

 

I grew up in a house surrounded by books.  My mum and dad both taught English, and my dad has always been a good-book enabler.  At the dinner table, we'd discuss any number of things we'd read, but both he and I favor fantasy, historical fiction and anything with a good story.  The tales of Arthur and Merlin, and the dragon-riders of Pern, and wonderful short stories filled with amazing imagery all fueled my imagination for the Legendary Knits collections.  I had originally planned to release just a few stand-alone patterns, but once I started brainstorming, I couldn't stop!  The 3-volume collection is the result of all those wonderful books out there which tell a great story and capture your imagination.   

 

In addition to being a inspiring designer, Anne is also the artist behind Wooly Wonka Fibers. I may have a few of her lush skeins in my stash.

To say Anne is busy would be putting it mildly. Here are just a few of her happenings coming up:

 

Quarterly Mythical Creatures Yarn Club slots re-open February 15th for shipping to begin on April 1st (for April/May/June 2015).

The 2015 Heroines Shawl club pattern collection is available as a subscription ebook club via Ravelry.

 

This year Anne will be vending at: 
Dallas/Ft Worth Fiber Fest, Ft. Worth, Texas: March 20-22, 2015 
Interweave Yarn Fest, Loveland, Colorado: April 16-19, 2015

Albuquerque Fiber Fiesta, Albuquerque, NM:  May 21-23, 2015.

 

Coming in October 2015, her pattern book from Interweave Press!

 

 

You can also keep tabs and follow up on any new releases in her Ravelry Group. She also has a lovely blog, An Evening of Wonders.

 

As a treat for you, Anne has generously offered to give away a free copy of the Legendary Knits Volume Three eBook to one lucky person. Leave a comment telling me your favorite pattern from this collection. Comments will close on Saturday, January 24th at midnight PST and I will draw a winner via Random Number Generator on Sunday, January 25th. Please ensure that when prompted you provide your email address or include your Ravelry name in order for me to contact you if you win.

 

Good luck and have the best day today!

 

XO,

 

Andi  

Comments

[Peggy]

While all the designs are lovely, I really love the Flora Mitts. They are so elegant!

[Claudia]

Pick one...pick one...oh the pain of decisions! I think I would have to go with the Dryad Hat, if only because it's so different and unique! But Boudicca Cardigan is a close second...they are all so beautiful! Thank you Andi for sharing this. (And kudos on the lovely test knit, it looks perfect)

[Tracey]

How I wish I was going to be out west, I would love to meet Anne in person. What an amazingly talented soul. All of the patterns in the book look like they would be fun to knit, but I my kept going by to the Guinevere Shawl, stunning!

[inesn]

I looooveee the boudicca cardigan!!! Its precious 💞

[jody]

it's hard to pick just one of Anne's designs. right now i'm really loving the Dryad hat - feminine, twisted sts, celtic-inspired motifs. love it.

[Alina]

What a beautiful giveaway! My favorite is definitely Boudicca Cardigan. A very feminine cardigan covered with cables - I can't ask for more!

[Grace]

The Little Mermaid Sweater is my favorite!

[maureen]

Beautiful. I like a few but the Isis shawl and the little mermaid sweater caught my eye.

[Cheryl]

I like most all her patterns but in this collection my favorite is Boudicca Cardigan.

Thanks for the opportunity to win!

[Pat Collingwood]

I love the Isis shawl.

[Katie]

I grew up taking "host nation" classes at our RAF base school, and the story of Boudicca/Bodicea was one of my facorites. The same holds true for the eponymous cardigan--such lovely cables!

[Tagati]

Since I really love references to Celtic heroines, I'd have to go with the Boudicca sweater. Of course, as I've never attempted a sweater yet (but do have a particular fondness for cables), this may be a bit of a stretch for me to actually accomplish!

[Anya]

I'm from Ireland and grew up wearing Arans, so if I had to choose (so difficult!), I'd say the Boudicca Cardigan. Feminine and very Celtic. :)

[David]

The Little Mermaid sweater is stunning — enough so, that I would gladly leap out of my "knits for men" focus to create this for someone special. For me, I think the Flora Mitts would work, with somewhat subdued, somewhat more "masculine" colors.

(Quotation marks intended, as I don't want to stereotype or assume that my definition of masculine, such as it is, is the same as others' opinions!)

[Diana]

I added the Little Mermaid Sweater to my favorites list on Ravelry. Gorgeous!!!

[Stitched Together]

I love the Dryad Hat, which is surprising because I don't wear berets at all. I just love the stitch patterns used in it. (Stitched-Together on Ravelry)

[Jo]

Like Diana I have also added the Little Mermaid Sweater to my favourites list on Ravelry. Beautiful design.

[mzklever]

It's impossible to choose a single favorite; I'm torn between Boudicca, Guinevere, and Isis. I love Celtic cables, although I tend to curse quite a bit while knitting them. I can't wait until Dallas when I'll get a chance to stock up on more Wooly Wonka yarn!

[Staci]

They are all beautiful! The Boudicca Cardigan is my favorite.

[Inês]

The Boudicca cardigan is gorgeous!

[Maggie]

I love the Dryad hat and I am Mahgret on Rav.

[KathyC]

I love the Isis shawl!

[Corinne]

My favourite is the mermaid sweater. The Boudicca Sweater looks great too.

[Bekah]

Ooooh how do I choose? I'm a major fairytale fan, so I love all of them!
I'm torn between both the Little Mermaid Sweater and the Dryad hat... both have such stunning detail!

[Alice in Bookland]

Oh my, Andi, I think I might have to agree that the Isis shawl is the loveliest! What a wonderful chance to win! Thank you!