Normally, I’m not all that keen on Thanksgiving. I don’t particularly like turkey and I just can see the point in cooking all day so everyone can eat too much and end up beached on the couch or floor for the evening.
But this year is different. I am exceedingly grateful to serve up a complete turkey dinner to both of my parents. This will be their first outing since my mother broke her hip in September. I’ve cleared the furniture to make room for my mother’s wheelchair and my father’s walker and I promise to sweep up all the dust bunnies before they arrive. And I’ve planned the best dinner ever! Last week I ordered a complete Thanksgiving dinner from Trattoria on Pearl, a Boulder restaurant owned by the parents of kids that have been in school with my boys since kindergarten. They delivered (yes, I didn’t even have to leave the house) the full dinner late yesterday: a 12-pound turkey soaked in an herb and spice brine, stuffing, sweet potato gratin, mashed potatoes, green beans in balsamic-shallot butter, gravy, homemade cranberry sauce, homemade bread, and pumpkin crème caramel. All I have to do it put the turkey in the oven 3½ hours before I plan to serve, then add the other dishes to the oven at specific times so that it all turns out warm and ready at the same time! I’m still chuckling at my cleverness.
And to celebrate this season of thanks, dear readers, I’m hosting a raffle for the Ann Budd book of your choice. All you have to do is tell me which of my books you’d like and why (the “why” part is essential). Please, only one entry per person per title, but you can enter for each title you'd like. Check out my website to see a complete list of my books. I’ll draw a name and announce the lucky winner Wednesday, December 1, 2010. May you all be spoiled brats!
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63 comments:
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your.
It is so kind of you to offer one of your books:) I would choose The Knitter's Handy Book Of Patterns because it is a fantastic book for knitting sweaters and accessories. Also the patterns allow you to put your own twist on them.
Since I already own a number of your books (seriously, when I checked I think I counted 7), please don't count this as an entry - I just wanted to say I think your Thanksgiving plan is genius and I hope you and your parents have a lovely time. Happy Thanksgiving!
Thank You for our holiday treat!
Your Thanksgiving dinner sounds absolutely fantastic.
It's so hard to choose but I think I've always wanted Color Style for nostalgia reasons and that special designer/editor something you have that makes me check your blog daily for updates!
LisaJ
I'm jealous of your lovely dinner. I think I'd like the Best of Interweave Knits.
Thanks.
It is hard to decide which of your books I'd like next--I have several of them and know how wonderful they are.
Since I am a big user of the The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns, and since I have gotten more into modifying sweaters that I knit for myself and my family, I think I'd like to complete the set with The Knitter's Handy Book of Sweater Patterns, which I assume has more detail on sweaters that will help me as my work gets more complex. As I modify recipes for Thanksgiving, I know that knitting patterns work the same way!
Happy Thanksgiving!!
I'm so glad to hear you will be able to enjoy a nice dinner with your parents. I'm thankful that my husband and I were able to buy a house this year, and we are hosting dinner for the first time!
I just bought "Knitting Green" and I refer to "Getting Started Knitting Socks" all the time...I'd love to own "Knitted Gifts" too - the hobby horse would be perfect for my nephew :)
Happy Thanksgiving!
Dinner sounds delicious.
I would love to own a copy of Knitted Gifts, as there are just so many things in it that I would like to knit, particularly the Ballet Flats, the His and Her Socks, the Shaadi Mitts, and, of course, a pair of the delightful Hobby Horses for my daughters.
Happy Thanksgiving! I love your dinner plan--what a great idea!
I'd really love a copy of The Knitter’s Handy Book of Sweater Patterns: Basic Designs in Multiple Sizes and Gauges because it looks like the perfect source for a pattern to knit matching sweaters for my kids or let them choose what style they like best and just knit one in their size.
I'd love a copy of The Best of Interweave Knits because I love that magazine, but can't afford a subscription at this time. This collection of patterns and articles would be great!
A copy of Color Style would be nice! I need someone to "teach" me how to do intarsia one of these days and this book might just be the resource to get me to try it!
I would love a copy of Knitted Gifts because I love to make knitted gifts and could always use some more patterns and ideas!
Knitting Green because I like the thought that knitting can be good for the earth! A book like this would help me know what kinds of things I can do to be a more earth-friendly knitter too!
Oh, I'm so glad that you're getting to have Thanksgiving with your parents. That is indeed a lot to be thankful for. (and go you for ordering dinner!)
I'm pretty darned thankful this year myownself.
I would love a copy of Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns, as, um, well *blushes* I own almost all of your other books.
Plus, I was really needing your glove formula the other day and I couldn't find a copy of your book in any of five bookstores in NYC. TRAGEDY!
Thank you for the lovely giveaway/raffle!
Ann, I would like The Knitter’s Handy Book of Sweater Patterns:
Basic Designs in Multiple Sizes and Gauges because it is a wonderful resource for designing sweaters. Clearly written, it is a book I've been wanting to add to my knitting book shelf for some time now.
Have an absolutely wonderful Thanksgiving!
What a lovely way to spend Thanksgiving! With the people you love and not a lot of work in the kitchen.
I also found out I had a lot of your books after looking at the list!
But, I want to knit my first adult sweater for myself so "The Knitter’s Handy Book of Sweater Patterns" would come in great for doing that. I want a sweater that will fit my short arms!
Thanks so much for the giveaway. Can hardly wait!
Happy Thanksgiving. That beats my "turkey in a box" for ease of preparation!
I would love to have The Best of Interweave Knits, as it's the one on the list that I don't already have that I'd use. I've almost bought it a few times!
I would love Knitting Green - as much as I knit and crochet, I would really like to lower the environmental impact that these activities cause. I try to live a green life, and I want my work to be as green as possible.
I am so glad to hear that both your parents will be with you on Thanksgiving - what a gift!
Perhaps the only other one of your book that I don't own is the Best of Interweave Knits. I have hesitated buying it as I have almost all of the patterns in my magazine collection. However, I have come to see that having all of these together in book form is so very handy.
Thank You!
I have checked Knitters Handy Book of Patterns out of the library several times. It's what I used to knit my first pair of mittens. I own Getting Started Knitting Socks and I think those two books are just about the most useful knitting books ever.
Happy Thanksgiving! I am lucky that I already have most of your books - however I do not yet have Lace Style - that would be my first choice - thank you!
A very happy Thanskgiving to you and your family. And I am thankful for your generosity with the book giveaway. I already have the two handy books, and Getting Started Knitting Socks, which have been invaluable resources. So I think I'd like to add Knitted Gifts to my collection, especially since it's gift-giving season.
I am delighted to hear your solution to the Thanksgiving dinner dilemna! LOL - and I hope your day with your parents is a wonderful one.
If I had to choose one book, it would be the Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns! I have borrowed it from our local library, and know what a fabulous resource it would be! My 11 yo daughter is learning to knit, and this book would be a wonderful thing to have on hand.
Well, I own all but two of your books and of the two I don't own, Simple Style if the one currently on my wish list.
I love your books because they almost always answer every question I might have...before I can even ask it!
After knitting lace shawls almost all this year, I find I am wishing for some patterns that would showcase the yarn and my work quietly and elegantly.
Happy Thanksgiving! Thank you for giving away one of your books. Like other commenters I already own many of your books, but one I don't have is Simple Style. My knitting time is limited so I prefer unfussy patterns that are well-designed and clearly written.
Ann, thank you so much for your sharing offer. Given my choice, I'd love your lace book because I'm just getting into this method of knitting and want a book with thorough instructions. Yours fits the bill.
Favorite Socks, please.
I've been knitting socks for myself for over a year now. I never use a pattern, but I've been thinking about choosing a sock book for a while now.
I'm a writer of math educational materials. Teaching math is a lot like teaching knitting (I've done both), in that both are best taught in person with one teacher and one student. I want one of your books (and I read your blog) because my writing gets better when I read yours.
My favorite is Getting Started Knitting Socks. It has very clear instructions and pictures. Also I can take any sock pattern and use your book to help me modify it it I need to.
What a perfect dinner...just add some laughter. I have Getting Started Knitting Socks and really appreciate your concise instructions to help myself and really extended family learn.
My wish is The Handy Book of Sweater Patterns because the visions in my head are lovely but seem to get lost in translation, I need some technical help to make them real. (Just for the record...I only have imaginary sweaters not friends)
A very Happy Thanksgiving to You!
I am so happy for you that you got to host both your parents after a very stressful time with their health. We have a few supermarkets nearby that offer the same kind of meal service, although I don't think they sound or look as good as what you came up with! I would love to receive Knitting Green for two reasons, I like to be ecologically friendly and it's one of the few books listed I don't own. Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving! Happily, I spent most of it knitting -- it is a great way to keep from eating more than I should. I would love to have a copy of Lace Style. I have several of your other books, but am a lace addict, so would surely find some inspiration in this book. Thank you for the offer.
And, I'll also put in a request for Knitted Gifts. I'm always looking for something fast but nice to knit for friends or family and I've seen some great ideas in this book when browsing at my LYS. By the way, your whole meal Thanksgiving idea also provides my favorite part of the whole holiday -- leftovers!!
I am sure my new favorite Ann Budd book is to be released in the summer of 2011. The reason, this book will be my new favorite is I have heard the list of the deisgners writing patterns for this sock collects and it sounds just awesome.
JoLynn
Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy your time with your parents and your delicious feast. I would love to win a copy of The Best Of Interweave Knits as I have most of your other books! Thanks, Linda
I'd also love to win a copy of Lace Style (my second choice!) as I'm just starting to knit lace. Thanks, Linda
That sounds like a great way to plan your Thanksgiving meal!
I have your Handy Book of Patterns already and would love the Handy Book of Sweater Patterns. I have borrowed it from the library before, but it would be great to own it. I like to design my own sweaters and the numbers, schematics etc are so useful.
Thanks so much.
I would love a copy of Knitted Gifts - because I plan on knitting lots of gifts for all of my beloved family members and because I have many of your other books! I can't even count the number of mittens I've knit from your Handy book of Patterns.
If I had to pick just one it would be "Knitted gifts." It is the season of giving and it would be nice to have a book with a variety of smaller projects for gift giving.
What a lovely contest! It's hard to pick, but I think Simple Style would be my choice. I've been knitting gifts since the summer and I'm craving one big sweater, knit for myself. Thanks for the chance to win!
How nice to give away a book! And just in time for holiday knitting. It's something to be thankful for! I would like Simple Style. I'm a long time crochet and have recently started knitting more than just ribbing and scarves. So simple styles appeal to me and simple styles allow to use really gorgeous yarns. I have "The Knitter's Book of Patterns" and I use it to knit classic sweaters and vests in great yarns. It's a wonderful book. Thanks for all of the effort that went into it. Keeping my fingers crossed!
Ann,
I already own the Handy Book of Patterns & Sweater Patterns, and I refer to them often. This year, however, I am determined to knit my first pair of socks, so I'd love to receive the Getting Started Knitting Socks,since I seem to be completely lost at getting started on them.
I'm also happy to hear that your Thanksgiving was so meaningful and easy. Exactly the way it should be! My parents are both gone, but my baby brother (6'4 and 45, but still my baby brother LOL) has taken on the hosting role for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Heh ~ maybe I should knit him a pair of socks for being so generous!
Happy Thanksgiving, Ann. I'm glad to hear your parents are doing well. Thanks for this wonderful giveaway. I think I would like Knitted Gifts. I'm very much a last minute person, especially when it comes to gift-giving. Those occasions just seem to sneak up on me. Knitted Gifts seems right up my alley.
"The Best of Interweave Knits" because i have already checked this book out at my local library about 3 times over the last few years. i should just get a copy of my own. in fact, i don't know why i haven't just gone out and bought one!?!
also, i am glad to hear that your parents are doing better. i understand the stress of a family member not feeling well or being healthy. enjoy your weekend- i am.
_Knitted Gifts_. Why? Because I already own the others and use them regularly, and because I'm running out of ideas for good knitted gifts (but still need a couple more).
Glad to hear you found a good T-giving solution that should work well for everyone, especially you! Your blog really makes me miss living in Boulder.
As a caregiver for my Mom (age 97 going on 2) I have been keeping you in my thoughts. Glad to hear about your solution to Thanksgiving dinner.
I have both of your sock books and between the grands, the kids and my own feet they are in constant use. I have been knitting forever and have lost my pattern for multiple size mittens and hats. With 6 grandchildren to knit for and living in western NY I would love to have your Handy book of Patterns. Thank you for this generous offer.
I TOTALLY agree with you about Thanksgiving! And your solution is my kind of cooking.
I'm glad your Mom is doing well enough to get out to your house for Thanksgiving.
I had no idea you had written so many books. Most of which are on my wishlist at Amazon...and the ones that aren't will be soon!
I'll let someone else have a chance to win your awesome gift - or a library of your choice. I certainly wouldn't be as knowledgeable without local library resources!
Ann,
I'm taking a sock knitting class at my LYS and the instructor showed us your book at this morning's class. It looks like it would be really helpful to a newby sock knitter like me, so I would like to win Getting Started Knitting Socks.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I am so glad that you have your parents home for Thanksgiving. We recently learned that my father has cancer and this Thanksgiving was a little more important because of that. For someone who never really put a lot of time into Thanksgiving, this year I tried just a little harder.
If I had to choose a book it would be favorite socks. Last year I started to teach myself to knit beyond a basic knit scarf. Socks were my first attempt at something different and I loved it. I try to knit a pair of socks for everyone I love for every occasion. I feel like knitting socks is a gift that people can wear every day at every event and feel like I'm giving them a little hug. I am so glad that I have learned how knit a fun and thoughtful gift and I am always looking for new and interesting patterns.
Thank you for the chance to enter and I am so glad that you were able to have a wonderful, and mostly stress free as far as cooking is concerned, Thanksgiving.
Since I learned to knit sweaters using the Handy Book of Sweater Patterns, learned to knit socks using Getting Started Knitting Socks, (and never make socks without it) and just about everything else using the Handy Book of Patterns, I would dearly love the color book as I am becoming brave enough to venture next into that part of the knitting experience. At this season of gratitude I am truly thankful for all of the wonderful and generous teachers in the knitting world like yourself, Ann, who have enhanced my life in so many ways. Holiday blessings to you and your family....and to all who read this post.
Hi Ann,
I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and the menu sounds wonderful. I have many of your books but would very much like a copy of Colour Style because being able to add colour to my knitting would open up a whole new world of knitting for me.
May
How kind of you! I'd choose the "Handy Book of Patterns," no question. I have "Handy Book of Sweater Patterns," and it's extremely useful -- especially for the charity knitting I do. I can use really heavy, warm wool, and your handy tables mean I can identify my gauge and get going. Thank you!
Knitting Green would be my preference. Why, 1, I think it would be an interesting read, 2, it has some really nice patterns, and 3, I already have the Book of Patterns, Best of Interweave and Favorite Socks.
O.K. This is an absolute no brainer. Knitting Green for sure! I requested my local library order the book, and I've already checked it out 3 times. I'd love to do the other patrons a favor and let them have a crack at it, too!!
Favorite Socks - that is the very first knitting book I bought. Period. And I've made at least 5 pairs of the socks if not more from that book. It is my go to book, the directions are clear and well written. It took a novice knitter into a sock knitter on a tear. Thank you!
Hope you had a wonderful day with your family. And now it's on to the next batch of holidays! Thank you for offering up a book - I was surprised to see how many I already own. The one missing from the collection is "The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns". Like my favorite cookbooks, I love how the basics are set out, and you are then free to tinker to your own tastes!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, and how fortunate you were to have your parents with you for another Thanksgiving... thank you for your generosity!
I would like the knitters book of patterns. This is one of my "go to" books, and interestingly enough, one of yours that I don't already have! I teach at my LYS, and I've recommended that one to many students, I probably should have it on my own shelf!
I wish I'd thought to order our Thanksgiving dinner when we Canadians celebrated last month. Next year, that's definitely the plan!
It is very generous of you to offer one of your books. Having recently received a copy of the Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns and knowing it to be a wonderful resource (many differently-sized people I love are receiving mittens for Christmas!- a must in Yellowknife, NT), I think I'd most like to have the following title in the series: The Knitter’s Handy Book of Sweater Patterns. I'm becoming a bit more adventurous with my knitting and think this book with its invaluable templates would provide a perfect starting place.
Thanks so much!
(And I'm very glad to hear your parents are doing better. All the best and Happy Thanksgiving!)
I love your books and adding Color Style would be a great addition. I have been wanting to try some color work projects and this book would be a big help!
Ann, my favorite book of all time is your Knitter's Handy Book of Pattterns. The reason I like it so much is that patterns for all the basic knit items are included and each pattern is written for a wide range of gauges. Perfect!
I would like Lace Style, of all your books. There are several patterns in it that I would like to knit including the lace-edged corset and tailored scallops.
I am glad to hear that your mother is well.
Thanks.
Sarah/scienceprincess
Simple- Knitted Gifts. Why? because it was really the only one I hadn't bought yet of all the books (yes, I am your biggest fan) and I went out and got it. No sooner had I gotten it, when a friend begged to borrow it. So, yes, I lent it. It has now gone missing at the friend's (ex-friend's????) house and I dearly miss it. So- it is the one that would complete my set!
Thanks for such amazing books-
Deb from KIngston
What a blessing to be able to spend Thanksgiving with your parents, and no visits to the grocery store would make it even better. ;) I just finished a pair of socks inspired from your new patterns at Quince. I used your "getting started knitting socks" book. I would love to win "Color Style". Thanks for hosting a give away.
I am so glad that you were able to enjoy a lovely and restful thanksgiving.
As for a raffle, it actually isn't for me it's for someone else. I am interested in Knitting Green for a friend. . . .
Hope that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving Ann! Sounds like you had a great, fuss-free meal planned.
I'd love to have a copy of The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns. A good friend of mine requested a pair of plain mittens for her Christmas gift this year. I picked out some gorgeous yarn and then spent hours trying to find a plain mitten pattern that would suit the yarn thickness(so long, that I'm sure I could have knitted the mittens in the time I spent looking for a pattern!). Finally resorted to adapting a pattern and some trial and error. Consequently, next time I see TKHBoP I'll be snagging it; I know I'll use it frequently.
ozknitter AT gmail DOT com
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