Nothing special – nobody’s birthday, nothing very interesting happening, but it just seems like it will be a good, hard working day. My horoscope agrees!
Virgo’s Horoscope (Aug 23 – Sep 22)
by Rick Levine
Friday, February 15, 2013 – You’re operating within your intellectual comfort zone today and you are confident because you know how to apply your expertise. Your belief that you’re being useful is your idea of heaven, because you know exactly what you’re doing and you feel empowered by your contribution. Make the most of this positive time by working hard and being productive.
Yarn is arriving thick and fast for several designs I’ve recently sold. This waiting period after submitting designs is the hardest part – all of the second guessing is exhausting!
Did I send the right design to the right editor? Would Editor X have reacted better to Design Q than Editor Y seems to have responded?
I’m still waiting to hear from a few editors, and it’s scary to agree to take on every piece of work that comes my way (what if I overbook myself?) and scarier to turn it down (what if I never sell another design?)
Yes, these are silly but real fears, the fears of every free lancer. As one independent contractor once said, “When you free lance, every day is a work day, and every day is a weekend.”
Another once told me, “The worst thing about going free lance is you’re afraid to turn down work – ever!”
But, fears aside, today is a WORK day!
THE BOOKS HAVE ARRIVED!!
I’ve ordered enough books to fulfill my Kickstarter contributor obligations, and those will be the FIRST books to send out! There are upwards of 200 books to ship, so this will take a bit of time (especially as next week is full with 2 teaching dates and a trip to California for Stitches West – just for booksignings, not classes)
But I’ll do it! We have a long weekend coming, up and two strong children! We also have a Chinese exchange student coming for the weekend (via a program at Hannah’s school) but it just seems wrong to put her to work. At least the first day.
Well – we were TOLD to treat her
like one of our own kids…
Seriously, though, we have some great activities planned for this weekend for Angelina – snow tubing, a visit to the Mill City Museum, a walk through our winter wonderland of Minnehaha Park, the Mall of America. Just stuff, hopefully it will be fun for her!
I had received books a few weeks ago, but unfortunately they had the wrong cover (the source of the mix-up is unclear, but it was obvious we couldn’t use those books…) so there’s been a bit of delay in getting these out, and I am SO happy to finally see them in person.
NOW IT FEELS REAL!!
If you purchase a copy of History On Two Needles, you’ll ALSO get the ebook (which comes as a pdf file and is just BEAUTIFUL – I have it on my ipad and I just gaze at it for hours…)
And, as always, the patterns are available individually if only one or two of them pique your interest.
Giveaway
Now – who would like a free book? Yep, you guessed it, leave a comment below and I’ll choose one person at random and ship them the book.
In your comment, tell me which historical era is your favorite – I love to know those sorts of things! I’ll announce and contact the winner when I get back from Stitches (Tues, 2/26) and the book will ship shortly after that! Good luck!
I’d love to win a copy of the book but will be buying one if I don’t.
Oh I’m such a romantic. That I have to say that the romantic period is my favorite
I have been fascinated by the 1920’s lately. I love how women were finding their freedom, and learning to be less constrained by societal norms. The fashion was pretty fun too! Not to mention the industrial growth.
I’d have to say the 40’s, in terms of fashion. When I look at photos of my parents and aunts and uncles, everyone in that era was always dressed so well. Men with suits and fedoras, the women in beautiful dresses. They all looked like movie stars to me.
Much luck with the new book! And if I don’t win, I’ll be buying one, too.
I love that you allow your customers to buy individual patterns rather than an entire book. It makes so much sense to ME but most authors/designers don’t do that. My favorite historical period for clothing is the 1920s. I love watching Downton Abbey especially for that reason. Gorgeous costumes! 🙂 Happy weekend to you and yours.
Thanks for the thumbs up! I realize that few folks will buy a book if only one pattern appeals to them. However, if they buy that one pattern, maybe they’ll enjoy it enough to want to get the whole book at some point!
I love reading about knitting in the past, if I had to pick a favorite, it would be the years when the war was going on and the socks that were knit for the soldiers. Thanks for the chance to win a book!
I’d love a copy of the book! My favorite period right now is the 20’s. I’m sure I’m being influenced by Downton Abbey! 🙂
I would love to win a copy of your new book! I have enjoyed watching its progress, and I am sure that it is beautiful.
I love the clothes of the flapper era. I got married in Folkwear’s 1927 Tea Frock 30-some years ago, sewn and embroidered by me, including a hand-smocked band around the hips.
Thank you for a generous giveaway. It’s a pleasure to see that you have successfully completed this project! I’ve enjoyed following your progress.
I used to LOVE Folkwear patterns! Are they still around? I was married in a 1919’s style (based on Bess Truman’s wedding dress) so I can relate!
Annie, they are still around – check out http://www.folkwear.com/.
My favorite time period is Tudor England by far. I’m still trying to read everything I can ever get my hands on about this time period. You actually inspired me to knit and later design… met you once in Blacksburg, Va several years ago and will never forget it! Working on a knitted hat design now inspired by an English blackwork motif, now I just hope it works the way it did in my head!
I would love to have a free book. Hope you’re doing Great! Crow
I am, Crow, and I SWEAR that I WILL submit for that author’s retreat some day! But you can see I did get the book finished!!
Hmm I read Tim Gunn’s Fashion Bible recently, and loved his cardigan section. But I don’t know if I have a favorite era, I like pieces of them all!
I’d love to win this book! It sounds fantastic.
My favorite historical era is hard to pick – so many seem nice until you think of the lack of modern necessities like my contact lenses and the prevalence of societal problems like racial and gender oppression. Fashion-wise, Downton Abbey has me, like most of the rest of the country, loving the styles of the twenties.
I love the Tudor period – I’ve been reading about it ever since I visited England in 8th grade nearly 50 years ago. I would so like to read your book!
My favorite era is the 1950s. I love the architecture, the cars, and, of course, the fashion. I love books with updated patterns on historical style!
I’m a new enthusiast of the styles from Downton Abbey. I’d love to win your book but I’ll be buying a copy if I don’t win. Can’t wait!!
I’d love a copy of the book.
I like two time periods and have done reenactments of the French and Indian war era. My other favorite is seventh century Irish. Love the art from then.
So happy for you that this project has come to fruition! The Victorian era is a favorite.
Congratulations on “birthing” a book – it looks beautiful!
It’s hard to choose a favorite fashion era. I like many but think the 40’s and 50’s are high on my list – the styles really flattered the female figure.
Can’t wait to see the book (whether I win it or buy it.) Knitting is such a lovely antidote to the day job!
I would love a copy & will buy one, if I don’t win this one – – – may buy one anyway, as I have a great good friend knitter who would love this book! My favorite era – – that’s really hard, but for now, I seem to be entranced by the Jane Austin knits.
This means I get a copy soon. YAY. So I am not in line for a giveaway, I am just so excited to get the books. Glad to know the print error was corrected and they will be shipping soon. Enjoy the exchange student and don’t over do it on the teaching gigs and Stitches. Pace yourself.
Ruby
Congratulations on your new book! The current era is my favorite–it’s where my friends, family, and I are together. We can draw on all the wonderful fashions and architecture of the past AND have modern conveniences like running water, microwaves, and comfortable shoes!
Thinking about it I would have to choose the late 19th century to the early twentieth century, late Victorian and Edwardian or as it is known in USA, the golden age. This is the time of the arts &craft movement, the blooming of the push for equal rights for women, of Downtown Abbey, and is where we find the setting for most steam punk novels–a truly fascinating period in history.
I’m just starting to get interested in fashion history, so I don’t have a favorite period yet. I love that you offer the PDF version to go with the book, this is the best of both worlds!
Book is gorgeous. So much hard work and creativity. Thanks. Fashion-wise, I like the 20’s…the flapper dresses! History-wise I like the renaissance…esp the art!
I’ve always enjoyed the rich colors and textures of the Renaissance era. Wouldn’t want to have lived there at the time, just really enjoy the fashions etc. (of the well to do of course!)
Regency. Love the romance of it!
I hope I get to meet you at Stitches West. I shall forever be a ‘7o’s girl.
Free or no, I want one! I’ve been inspired by this project for so long – it’s awesome to see it made real.
I love anything vintage, but I am especially attracted to the era that brought us Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Rita Hayward, etc. I LOVE the way that they dressed back then.
Art Deco. Of course it spanned many decades but the 30’s seem the best years to me.
Probably my favorite period is WW2. There’s such an unspoken strength to womens fashions (and mens) that I respond almost as if I were being endorsed. But then, I’m a big fan of all the 20’s glam as well ! Congratulations on the wonderful new addition!
Maybe it’s just nostalgia, but I love the fashions of the 60’s and the wild experimental outfits morphing from the classic looks of the 50’s.
This book will be on my iPad soon whether I win or not!
A new knitting book! How awesome. I started knitting at 66 and am somewhat embarrassed by how large my library already is. But I’d love a copy of your book. What period of history do I love? I love most that period when we got indoor plumbing! That for me would be the fifties.
My favorite historical period is Elizabethan England. A strong woman was leading the country and it was a period of fantastic literature.
I love styles from the 1920’s and 30’s. Those outfits worn by Fred and Ginger! Incredible.
OOh, I would so love a copy of this book! Have to say my favourite era would be The Golden Age of Piracy (roughly 1700’s). Splendid waistcoats, frockcoats, hats, all off ship of course 🙂
Beautiful book … I’d love to win a copy.
Wow … favorite era fashionwise … tough to say … I suppose as a woman (who is not from the upper class) I appreciate the clothing of the 1920’s. No crazy undergarments and corsets, more freedom in what you wore than prior eras. Might have been possible to sew your own, stylish, dress (affordably).
I love Tudor and High Renaissance clothing, but lets face it, I wouldn’t have been wearing the beautiful clothes made of gold fabric.
I am new to knitting & crochet–since July 2012. So I couldn’t tell you what my favorite era is. I know I love to make chunky quick knits & I love wearing delicate crochet & knit items I don’t have the patience to make. I’d love this book to get educated!
I don’t think I have a favourite fashion era. I do know I wasn’t thrilled with the 1970’s. I loved the 1960’s for the bright colours. I loved the fifties for the big skirts and tight waists – I can’t wear them but I like them. I liked the 1940’s for the fitted women’s suits. I like the 1920’s for the fun flapper outfits, the bead work and the drappieness of the fabrics and the rise of designers like Coco Channel.
The book looks fantastic!
Annie, I am just so glad that this dream of yours has come to fruition! As for favourite period, I am a sucker for Medieval and pre-Medieval (such as Sutton Hoo). Romantic, but not in the sense of ruffles (shudder! Just so not me).
Congrats on getting the books!
I laughed out loud when I read “We were TOLD to treat her like one of our own kids”. I am sure she will have a very good time with all of you.
Hard to choose a favorite era, but if I had Rosalind Russell’s wardrobe in Auntie Mame, that nightgown, that jewelry and please, she loses all her money during the stock market crash and STILL looks divine, then I would be set for life. 🙂
Well, in my non-knitting life, I’m a medieval history professor, so that’s my favorite time-period, historically. The Black Prince hood is what initially drew me to this book, so I’ll be purchasing a copy even if I don’t win. But in fashion terms, my favorite period has to be the late 1930s into the mid-1940s. Everything was so functional, but still so intricate.
Would love to win a book! Favorite Era? There are sooo many great stories it’s hard to choose. Lately I’ve been drawn to Late Medieval/Early Renaissance England, but also am intrigued by the late Victorian. Who knows what will spark me next week?
I have my grandmother’s wedding dress from 1919. Actually, a vest and skirt. She took most of the lace off and died it with eggshell to make a Sunday dress after the wedding. I love the simplicity of that era. Elegant and comfortable.
I would love to win a copy of this book. I live in Canada but can supply a US address if needed were I too win.
It’s hard to pick an era. I love some of the stuff that was knit in the Victorian era but I also have a fabulous pink mini dress that my grandmother knit in the early 1970s and a gorgeous baby sweater that was my husband and his brother both wore on the trip home from the hospital in the late 1940s. Basically I love all historical knitted pieces:)
The twenties certainly had a lot of style going for it, and I guess I’d have to say that’s my favorite period, at least right now. I’m also a big fan of Downton Abbey. That christening scene with the three women in mauve dresses (and hats!) took my breath away.
I like the fashions of the 1950’s and 1960’s.