Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Spilly Jane Mittens – Book Review and Giveaway

Recently Cooperative Press sent me Spilly Jane Mittens by Jane Dupuis to review and I am not being paid to review this book. The book is available on Amazon for $26.95 and the eBook version on Ravelry for $16.95.

I have to start off by saying that I love this book and I couldn’t wait to review it! I love doing color work and I love mittens so what better combination than both in this book!

First of all, two different types of thumbs are discussed. One is called the peasant thumb (which I also think of as an “afterthought” thumb) and the gusset thumb. Different people have different preferences so I like how both are addressed. The author also tells you how to convert the pattern to a gusset thumb if the peasant thumb is in the design.

There are 13 wonderful patterns with unique designs. You can see the photos of the different patterns HERE. I also liked that the some designs are unisex. My husband is picky and would not wear anything that he thinks has a “girly” design on it.  Most of the mittens are offered in three different sizes, which make the patterns easy for different sized people.  I have to confess that I want to make every one of these mittens!

Throughout the book there are many tips and tricks, which are extremely helpful. There are also great tutorials with awesome photos that help make the instructions very clear. The patterns are also written for different skill levels so if someone was just starting to learn color work, there are some to start with. As the knitter’s experience level grows, more difficult patterns can be tried.

I would highly recommend this book and believe it would be a great asset to any knitting library!

If you like the book and want to enter to win a digital copy, please leave a comment below by February 9th along with your Ravelry name or email address.  I will draw a name on February 10 using a random number generator and the winner will get a digital copy of the book. Please check it out and let me know what you think!

Update: The winner is #6 HeavensJoy! Congratulations! 

70 comments:

Anonymous said...

This book looks like so much fun! I think I need it :D

Helenguate on Ravelry

Anonymous said...

Those look interesting! Mittens would be a great, quick way to try knitting in the round with color work. Fond of the Petoskey mittens (being a Michigander and all.)
StarMeadow on Ravelry

Kira said...

Haven't branched out into colorwork yet, but I've admired Spillyjane's patterns for a long time!

Kiralah on Ravelry ;-)

Anonymous said...

I would love to win this fabulous book and if I don't, I definitely have to buy it!!


windzgirl on Ravelry

aews said...

This looks fun and I could see a young girl loving the cupcake mittens.

Anonymous said...

Looks like an awesome book! Thank you for the opportunity to win this!

HeavensJoy on Ravelry :)

Anonymous said...

Great review Thank you... It looks like fun and helpful!

Lisa
Leah22b on Ravelry

Anonymous said...

Great review on what looks to be a really nice book of mitten patterns. Thank you.

SugaryBeanz on Ravelry

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the review, I love stranded mittens and her designs so the book would be a great addition to my library. Fiatknitter on ravelry.

Anonymous said...

I love mittens and love making them for others. I'd be thrilled to win this book.
Thank you for offering this!

Venice1093 on Ravelry

Gina Zahra said...

I love Spilly Jane - her mitts are so much fun!!

beanna1 on Ravelry

ChristinaGK said...

I haven't delved into mittens, but this very well could inspire me!
christinagk on Ravelry

Michelle said...

I have made several of her mittens-they are fun! Mcchase on revelry.

patricia said...

I love her patterns- the designs are so clever! Aninspiration to do colorwork.
pjcohn on ravelry

Anonymous said...

I have knit a couple of her patterns, and admire all of them. I would love to see this new book.

Han*Knit on Ravelry

Anonymous said...

Love Spilly Jane - her patterns are so cute! Thanks for the review and giveaway. sarahbaillos on Ravelry

lmecoll on Ravlery said...

Great review! I love the patterns in this book and would love to win a copy. Thanks for the chance.
Lmecoll on Ravelry

Denise said...

Spilly Jane has some wonderful mittens. You should share this review with the I Make Mittens group on Ravelry too. It is a group that Spilly Jane started.

Denise in Iowa on Ravelry-Moderator of I Make Mittens

Allison said...

I only just started mittens, but I love them. These look like such fun!

Kabira said...

LOVE her patterns and really happy to see that she has a book out -- thanks for reviewing it! --YarnTalksToMe on Ravelry

Janet Welsh said...

Thanks for sharing your review of this book. SpillyJane designs some amazing mittens, but I've yet to knit up her designs. I'd love to get my hands on this book and pour through the designs in detail!

JanetWelsh on Ravelry

Anonymous said...

looks interesting
willowzz on rav

Unknown said...

My favorites are the cupcakes and the gnomes. I would love to knit these as gifts!

onthetide

Skiffyknitter said...

I love Spillyjane's designs! I'm so glad you mentioned the peasant/gusset modification; I prefer gusset thumbs, and most of SJ's single mitten patterns are peasant thumbs. So that alone would make the book worth buying for me!

Skiffyknitter on Ravelry

Anonymous said...

I love the Abney Park mittens, but the whole book looks great for a new mitten knitter.

Cendrillon on Ravelry

Unknown said...

This book looks like so much fun!! I especially like Abney Park and Under the Hostas. I haven't knit too many pair of mittens so this would be a great book!!
Cendrillon on Ravelry

Unknown said...

How wonderful, this looks like the sort of book you study over and over again! Thanks for the chance to win! I'm Ginni on Ravelry.

Julie said...

Interesting discussion of gusset and peasant thumb...much like a sock heel. Would love to knit these mitten designs! Lighthearted on Rav (saw your post in the I Make Mittens group).

suzehil said...

I love Spilly Jane patterns and am so glad she has published a book. I would love to knit All the Mittens!!!

suzehil on Ravelry

Woxoff said...

There is so much to choose from, hard to pick where to start

Anonymous said...

Is there anything better than colourwork mittens?! Thanks for this insightful review

Knitnorth on Ravelry

Anonymous said...

Is there anything better than colourwork mittens?! Thanks for this insightful review

Knitnorth on Ravelry

Anonymous said...

I already have a couple of her designs in my Rav favorites and now

those codfish are calling me! Thanks for this nice giveaway; I'd love to win!

Isofungi on Ravelry

Karen said...

WOW! What a wonderful collection of color work mittens. I love all of the designs, and in one book! It will take me a week just to browse through the book and try to figure out which one I want to knit up first.

karenloves2knit (Ravelry)

Jean said...

Nice collection of Spilley Jane mittens/mitts. Thanks for the giveaway offer.

JeanInMaine (Rav ID)

becky said...

What a talented designer! There's so many fun designs in this book.

shinyfuzzy on Ravelry

Unknown said...

What a great assortment of mittens! dnnkuehl on Ravelry

DagmarEir said...

would love a chance to win this book. love mittens!! like the fun selection she has.

Ravelry: DagmarEir

Anonymous said...

I love Spilly Janes mittens! duhler on Ravelry

Anonymous said...

I've made several of Spilly Jane's patterns, and love them!

MrsMiniver on Ravelry

Kari said...

What a wonderful opportunity. I really like her patterns.
dogmaw on Ravelry

DonnaM said...

I'd love a chance at this book. SpillyJane mittens are wonderful.

sweetpeaTX on Ravelry

LeAnn said...

I too would love to win this books. I really should learn more about the different thumb construction types.
Ravelry name lldramrpd

lambdamuepsilon said...

Spilly Jane's mitten designs are awesome; I would LOVE to win a copy of her book!
lambdamuepsilon on Ravelry

Ruth said...

I adore SpillyJane, and am so excited to see her book is ready! Thank you for hosting this giveaway.

woolyheaded on Ravelry

Anonymous said...

I have admired Spillyjane Jane's designs for several years. So glad to see some of them come out in this great new book.
Yarnwhisperer12

Anonymous said...

I love knitting mittens!

Bonnie said...

Would love to win a copy of this book. What a fun book to have. bonnieknit on Ravelry

Anonymous said...

Spillyjane has so many wonderful designs. Nice to hear the book talks about converting the thumbs! Sounds like a great book.

Knittinginpublic on Ravelry

AndreaW said...

NIce patterns!!! I especially like Nougat + the Cupcake ones.

heartfeltfibers on Ravelry

Unknown said...

I can't wait to see inside of this book! mrsalemp on Rav

Anonymous said...

Hi, I am Mosmama on Ravelry. I love Spillyjane's work. I've had fun making some of her mittens in the past and would love to have a copy of the book. Thanks for the review and giveaway.

AndreaLea said...

I've yet to make a pair of colorwork mittens but have several Spilly Jane patterns in my queue.

andrealea on Rav.

Elizabeth D said...

I have been following Spillyjane for years, and I would LOVE to win this book! I am BadInfluence on Ravelry; thanks for the chance.

Rebel on ravelry said...

It is wonderful to have many of her mitten patterns in one book! Congratulations to spillyjane and many thanks for the generosity of sharing the book with one lucky person.

moliche said...

Looks like a lovely book.

Jen said...

They look like fun patterns. I'd love to try them. (Whereswoolly)

Anonymous said...

Those cupcake mittens are sure to bring a smile to anyone. I would totally make a pair for a special little girl. Congrats to spillyjane for this lovely book.

(spinnygonzalez)

sewwhatsports said...

Cute mittens. I have been having issues with my hands while knitting so a large project is out of the question. I think I could handle one or all of those patterns.

Unknown said...

I'm looking for a pattern for my second pair of colour-work mittens ....and I think I'd be spoilt for choice with this lovely book. Great review and crossing my fingers!
Chicafromspain on ravelry

Diane B. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Beautiful mittens, and I love the fact that the patterns are not one-size-fits-everybody-except-me. I'd love a digital copy!
(hautecontre)

kitkatknit said...

I'm a thumb gusset girl but would love to also try my hand at other styles!!! I'd love to win a digital copy - I'm kitkatknit over on Rav. thanks

Anna said...

I could never have too many mittens and these are adorable. I'd love to win a copy of this book.
Stuckinillinois on Ravelry

Unknown said...

These are so cool. I would love a copy of this book. My Rave name is lydiacox. Thanks

Cathy said...

My favorites are the cupcake mittens. I have granddaughters who would over the moon with those! Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy.

Rav ID : wishnfarm

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful book. I love Spilly Jane designs! Rav name: knit3purl2. Thank you so much!

knit one, knit two said...

I love Spilly Jane's designs! I have a bunch ❤️'d on rav but have been too chicken to knit stranded mittens or socks. I should be brave a knit a pair! I'm 5hearer on rav - thanks for the chance to win!

JulieV said...

Love SpillyJane mittens!! JulieKnits17

loonyhiker said...

And the winner is:

#6 HeavensJoy