Knitting Smitten book giveaway

by Camilla April 25, 2014

written by Camilla April 25, 2014

You might remember a while ago that Folksy’s very fabulous Jess mentioned she was working on a knitting book. Well, this is it. And it’s oh so good. In the words of Lara Watson, the editor of Mollie Makes: “Jessica is the hot new name in next-generation knitting.”

Knitting Smitten starts with the basics. So you can learn how to pick the right yarns for your projects, understand patterns and knitting charts, and measure tension so you don’t end up with wonky wibbly-wobbly knitting (been there, done that, worn the holey scarf). It also has one of the best step-by-step illustrated instructions for casting on and knit and purl stitches that I’ve seen in a long time (ably demonstrated by some of the best yellow-painted nails I’ve ever seen).

Once you’ve got the hang of that, you’re ready to start one of the 20 enticingly beautiful projects, which are split into Knits to Wear, Knits to Share and Knits for your Home. I’m torn between making the squirrel mittens, the flamingo cushion and the beautiful bow necklace, but accept it might be wise to start with the neon dishcloth instead (see holey scarf incident).

Win a copy!
• • • • • • • • •

We love Jess, and we love this book. So we’re thrilled to have three copies to give away.

For you chance to win a copy, just leave a comment on this blog post or send us an email at competitions@folksy.co.uk with the subject line ‘I’m smitten by knitting’.

The competition closes at midnight on Tuesday 6th May and three winners will be chosen at random. Due to postage costs this competition is sadly only open to UK residents.

• • • • • • • • •

You can also shop Jess’s own knitted beauties in her Folksy shop Jessica Joy.

Simple Makes: Knitting Smitten by Jessica Biscoe is out now, and costs £12.99
Published by Quadrille. Photography by Keiko Oikawa.

Camilla

Camilla Westergaard is content editor at Folksy. Her mother is a potter and she grew up with a ceramic studio in her house, surrounded by handmade objects of desire, leading to a lifelong love of craft. When she's not stitching, printing and sketching, she can be found curating content across Folksy, interviewing designers and helping British makers get their work seen across the world.

Five Folksy shops get a product shot makeover

145 comments

jude April 25, 2014 - 11:44 am

ooooh yes please!

Karen April 28, 2014 - 7:05 pm

would love this to add to my collection!

Corrie April 25, 2014 - 11:47 am

I’m smitten by knitting!

Heather and Gary April 25, 2014 - 12:07 pm

Looks a fun book, could do with some bobble hats for our boiled eggs!

angharad April 25, 2014 - 1:30 pm

yes please! x

suzical April 25, 2014 - 1:51 pm

Totally smitten with this!! X

Hala Jundi April 25, 2014 - 4:12 pm

I’m smitten by knitting!

Hala Jundi April 25, 2014 - 4:13 pm

I’m smitten by knitting!!

Meredith Winser April 25, 2014 - 4:13 pm

oooooo I saw this book in my latest issue of Mollie Makes and put it on my wish list! Congrats to Jessica, what an achievement!

Philippa Waterhouse April 25, 2014 - 4:14 pm

I would love a copy to reinspire me please

Naomi April 25, 2014 - 4:16 pm

Sounds like a good way to learn something new.

Laura G April 25, 2014 - 4:17 pm

I’m smitten by knitting.

Luan April 25, 2014 - 4:28 pm

I could get my husband to knit me the flamingo cushion if I win, he is better at knitting than me.

Clare April 25, 2014 - 4:28 pm

This looks brilliant!

Eleanor Jardine April 25, 2014 - 4:29 pm

I’m smitten by knitting :)

Nora Hessayon April 25, 2014 - 4:35 pm

I would love this so much. You can never have enough knitting books .

Sarah Skinner April 25, 2014 - 4:37 pm

Would love a copy of this book – I’ve just bought a flat and it “needs” one of those flamingo cushions for sure!

Lynn Turnbull April 25, 2014 - 4:39 pm

I’m Smitten By Knitting. Would really love a copy of this book. Lovely designs ❤️

Karen Phillips April 25, 2014 - 4:42 pm

Looks a fab book!

Jennifer Stevens April 25, 2014 - 4:48 pm

Suddenly I know what my life is missing, hats for my boiled eggs!!!! Yesssss please!!

Collyermum April 25, 2014 - 4:54 pm

Looks like a fun book! I’d like to give it a go…

myra stevenson April 25, 2014 - 4:56 pm

My yarn stash would love this book

Emily Heyes April 25, 2014 - 5:05 pm

My mum definitely needs a new knitting book!

Zoe 12 April 25, 2014 - 5:05 pm

Ooh yes please! I long for knitting capability but need the inspiration!

Sheila Wigfield April 25, 2014 - 5:13 pm

Yes please, love knitting x x

joanne wilson April 25, 2014 - 5:17 pm

It looks lovely..those bobbl hats are soooi cute.

Gemma English April 25, 2014 - 5:18 pm

absolutely love crochet and deperate to get into knitting… looks lovely so would definitely love a copy!

Mo Leverton April 25, 2014 - 5:23 pm

Ooh, yes please…..love the flamingo cushion : )

Jo Kelly April 25, 2014 - 5:24 pm

Knitting is one of the only crafts I haven’t been able to master. This book looks like it could change that. I want to be smitten by kniitting please! x

Ros April 25, 2014 - 5:25 pm

Oooh, I am so smitten by knitting! Me and my crafty daughters would love a copy of this book.

Leigh Mitchell April 25, 2014 - 5:35 pm

Sorry I don’t think the email address was right on my last comment, can you please delete it. What a fab book, I would love to win this. Thanks :)

Ms P Sanders Smith April 25, 2014 - 5:35 pm

“I’m smitten by knitting” after hearing a great BBC R4 programme!

Lucy Ormerod April 25, 2014 - 5:44 pm

I’m smitten by knitting so much so my baby looks like he was knitted not born!!!

nicky April 25, 2014 - 5:52 pm

Book looks fab!!

More Tea, Vicar? April 25, 2014 - 6:10 pm

I’m smitten by knitting! Ooh it would be lovely to win a copy of this fab book, I could knit some things for me to keep for myself for once instead of selling my own designs in my shop :) Fingers and knitting needles crossed! Natalie x

Susan gisborne April 25, 2014 - 6:12 pm

I never win anything

Rose April 25, 2014 - 6:17 pm

This book looks wonderful – I’d love to knit the flamingo cushion!

Sarah April 25, 2014 - 6:50 pm

Yes please …I’m always looking for new ideas to appease my knitting addiction. Looks fab.

Rebecca April 25, 2014 - 7:14 pm

Would love this!

Carol April 25, 2014 - 7:16 pm

I’d like this!

Sarah April 25, 2014 - 7:25 pm

I would die for a copy of this book! (Literally! Ok, not literally…)

Diana April 25, 2014 - 7:36 pm

I’d love to win this, would be my first knitting book to start me on my knitting journey!! Already love to crochet and knitting is my next mission to accomplish!

Emma Lewis April 25, 2014 - 7:36 pm

‘Smitten by knitting’
I’d love to be able to knit those cute little hats for my kids boiled eggs!

Karine Fortier April 25, 2014 - 7:53 pm

Oh, that would be lovey :)

janine April 25, 2014 - 7:56 pm

How lovely, would love to be in with a chance of winning this x

Maria Koekenhoff (Cassiopeia Knit Designs) April 25, 2014 - 8:08 pm

I’ll knit anything! This looks great

Chris April 25, 2014 - 8:21 pm

Just getting back in to knitting love the patterns would really like to win this

Abigail Watkins April 25, 2014 - 8:28 pm

Yes please! Looks great!

Fatemah April 25, 2014 - 8:42 pm

I’m smitten by knitting! This looks like a fab way to get back to knitting after a long baby break! Xx

Penny Halton-Hulbert April 25, 2014 - 8:48 pm

I need your help to teach my students to knit this term.

Hollie Williams April 25, 2014 - 8:58 pm

Ooh! Ooh! Me! Me! :D

Sarah April 25, 2014 - 9:22 pm

I’d love to be inspired back into knitting & teach my kids like my mum & nana taught me & my brother x

Louise Macdonald April 25, 2014 - 9:32 pm

I’m smitten with knitting!

Vicky Bell April 25, 2014 - 9:49 pm

Please please pleasepleasepleaseplease!!!! Xxx

Mandy Murray April 25, 2014 - 10:15 pm

Classic quote from my mother was “how are you going to have children if you can’t knit?!” What can I say, I am more interested in knitting that I am in having children.

Jan Jones April 25, 2014 - 11:04 pm

I get big gaping holes when I try to knit in more than one colour (see flamingo legs for the type if colour change I CAN’T get to grips with)! Would LOVE to learn from this gorgeous book pleeeease!

Sandra Taylor April 26, 2014 - 6:32 am

Ooh yes please

Janet Ballantine April 26, 2014 - 6:45 am

I’m smitten by knitting
love the eggy bobble hats

Tracey Walker April 26, 2014 - 7:34 am

Yes please

Stephanie Haigh April 26, 2014 - 7:39 am

Would love to knit and this book looks like it has some lovely ideas!

Oh So Gawjess April 26, 2014 - 7:55 am

This looks a great intro and I need a new hobby during mat leave! xXx

Jaci Cross April 26, 2014 - 9:06 am

Lush <3

Dina Newton-Edwards April 26, 2014 - 10:25 am

Oooh, I’d love to win, please

Gemma April 26, 2014 - 10:39 am

Ooooh, it looks lovely! I was sold by the front cover! Every egg needs a bobble hat, surely! :) love it :)

Christine Kirkby April 26, 2014 - 11:32 am

I would love I’m smitten by knitting for my daughter whose started knitting . Thanks x

Kat April 26, 2014 - 12:46 pm

I’m smitten by knitting

stacey marshall April 26, 2014 - 1:49 pm

This book looks great and a lot of fun. I’d love one

Jan Simon April 26, 2014 - 4:35 pm

How fabulous. Yes please to a copy of this great looking book.

tamara jo rankila April 26, 2014 - 4:50 pm

I am smitten with knittin’. And anything else that has to do with yarn, needles and hooks!!!!

Verity April 26, 2014 - 5:11 pm

What a cute book!

Tannwensaunders April 26, 2014 - 6:26 pm

Please enter me for the comp – thanks.

Clare Freemantle April 28, 2014 - 6:57 pm

I’m smitten by knitting

Anne Gillon April 28, 2014 - 7:04 pm

I’m smitten by knitting!

Kay April 28, 2014 - 7:04 pm

I’m smitten by Knitting!

Sheena Moore April 28, 2014 - 7:10 pm

I’m smitten by knitting and crochet- and I bet there’s something in there that will look just fabby in my new house(moving in a couple of weeks!) xx

Helen Walsh April 28, 2014 - 7:21 pm

This looks like a really lovely book. Loving the flamingoes!

Tracey Dorsey April 28, 2014 - 7:27 pm

Yes please, I am smitten with knitting and would love some inspiration x

Lisa Rabin-Smith April 28, 2014 - 8:19 pm

I am smitten by knitting. Would love, love, love to win this.

becky sue April 28, 2014 - 9:35 pm

Yes please! I think I need this in my life… :)

alison April 28, 2014 - 10:47 pm

Oh yes please! Totally smitten, this looks like a great book.

gemma bee April 28, 2014 - 10:51 pm

I’m smitten by knitting’
i just cannot knit! but would love to learn!

Katrina Cunningham April 29, 2014 - 7:23 am

What a beautiful book…. I need this in my life please because I need to knit that amazing flamingo cushion for a friend :) totally smitten :D xxXxx

Tracy griffin April 29, 2014 - 10:20 pm

Desperate to learn to knit. Think smitten with knitting could teach me!!!

Amanda Hurrell May 1, 2014 - 3:12 pm

ooh yes please I knit, crochet and just love yarn!

Lorraine May 1, 2014 - 3:16 pm

I’m Smitten by Knitting!
oww looks pretty :)

Hannah West May 1, 2014 - 3:21 pm

I would love to knit! Smitten with knitting would be perfect for me to learn!!
xx

Becky Garratt May 1, 2014 - 3:22 pm

This looks amazing. As do the yellow nails.

Emma Plumb May 1, 2014 - 3:25 pm

I would love a copy of this book, I want to learn how to knit as my next new project

Amy Palmer May 1, 2014 - 3:29 pm

I’m smitten by knitting, so my fingers will be tightly crossed!

jacky edwards May 1, 2014 - 3:32 pm

ooh its lovely, just what I want

Ali May 1, 2014 - 3:40 pm

I’m smitten by knitting. I’d love to win a copy of this book!

Pippa Austin May 1, 2014 - 4:01 pm

This is a beautifully designed book. I’ve never tried knitting before but i’d love to give it a go!

laura caines May 1, 2014 - 4:04 pm

I’m smitten by knitting too!

anthea May 1, 2014 - 4:14 pm

I am totally smitten by knitting! Would love a copy of this book :-)

Paula Barker May 1, 2014 - 4:16 pm

it’s Lovey to find different knitting patterns

kath May 1, 2014 - 4:31 pm

I really must knit the flamingo cushion so hope I’m one of the lucky ones

Val & Pete Hatton May 1, 2014 - 4:45 pm

I’ve never quite got to grips with knitting but this book looks like it could be the answer! :o)

Kirsteen Jewell May 1, 2014 - 4:49 pm

Oooo my little girls bedroom needs that flamingo cushion :D

Lydia May 1, 2014 - 5:08 pm

Loving the flamingo cushion!

Sally Kershaw May 1, 2014 - 5:14 pm

This looks like what I’ve been looking for… My mum’s friend knitted me a ‘fishcloth’ and I so want to learn to knit! :-)

Julie May 1, 2014 - 5:24 pm

It’s my birthday 6 May and would love to win this book

Ann Uys May 1, 2014 - 5:25 pm

Xmas too far off! Please can I have it now.

rose anthony May 1, 2014 - 5:41 pm

im smitten by knitting and have been searching for some fun projects

Bekk May 1, 2014 - 6:05 pm

Looks great. I’ve been trying to learn to knit I’d love some proper instructions and diagrams with some projects to practice!

Pat Higginson May 1, 2014 - 6:07 pm

Eggcited about this book

Jane Bomber May 1, 2014 - 6:26 pm

I’m totally smitten with knitting, but my fingers sadly are not, every time I try and cast- on, they just end up in a knot. I need a little helping hand to start me on my way, some guidance from Jess’ lovely book will get me knitting everyday!

caryn willmott May 1, 2014 - 6:29 pm

me me me please

Kirsty Reid May 1, 2014 - 7:45 pm

I especially love the flamingo!

Melody May 1, 2014 - 8:16 pm

I’m a knitting smitten kitten

Trish May 1, 2014 - 9:23 pm

Having recently retired I am enjoying rediscovering skills and would love to knit gifts for friends and family.

Margaret Jeffrey May 1, 2014 - 9:54 pm

Recently stated knitting again! I need this fab book. Knitting is the best hobby ever!

Elaine Pattison May 1, 2014 - 10:04 pm

Love the flamingo cushion.

Helen H May 1, 2014 - 10:21 pm

I’m smitten by knitting and my word this would be a lovely prize to win!! Crossing my fingers (sadly not yellow nailed!!)

Jujube May 1, 2014 - 11:19 pm

Would love to get going on some smittens!

lyn May 1, 2014 - 11:24 pm

Would love to have on my bookshelf.

Jane G May 2, 2014 - 9:08 am

Ooh lovely. Such pretty pictures

Melanie WArd May 2, 2014 - 9:55 am

Would love this book to add to my collection, I never stop knitting and always looking for new ideas

Sew Create It - Jane May 2, 2014 - 1:28 pm

Please count me in… I know it would be a well received book in this house of knitters :o)

Genevieve Jackman May 2, 2014 - 1:57 pm

I’m smitten by knitting and have been forever its a craft that gives me a peace and tranquillity like no other!! x

Catherine Short May 2, 2014 - 8:51 pm

Smitten for those bobble hat egg cosies, they’d look great on top of my dotty egg cups :) x

Jo Macgregor May 5, 2014 - 6:35 am

I am seriously smitten by knitting! Lovely giveaway x

Sarah May 6, 2014 - 9:32 am

It’s taken me a while but I’ve mastered knitting and purling – would love to try something more exciting than a scarf!

Anna Turner- Cobbold May 6, 2014 - 9:34 am

Smitten as well :)
fingers and toes are crossed

Jo Sullivan May 6, 2014 - 9:34 am

Would be a perfect gift for my ‘knit wit’ Mam ;)

Mayuri Hargest May 6, 2014 - 9:36 am

Yes please! Really want to learn to knit, but haven’t found something I understand yet!

Laura May 6, 2014 - 9:36 am

Would love to win this, to get me started on a new hobby!

Tessa Penfold May 6, 2014 - 9:38 am

Yes please! Looks lovely!

Karen May 6, 2014 - 9:38 am

Sounds like a fab book!

Caroline Reeves May 6, 2014 - 9:41 am

Lovely book with clear instructions, perfect for learning how to make things. Great give away!

Veronika Abdian May 6, 2014 - 9:47 am

I’m smitten by knitting !
I would be such a proud owner of this copy by Jessica Biscoe if I won .
My first “to do” would be a flamingo pillow for my Daughter , who is “Alice in Wonderland” fan .