Its not my first post about Coastal Knits but it is the first time I’ve had the book in my possession! I am a lucky lady to be among the first in the CK blog tour, and to have gotten a review copy of this stunning collection. The designers & publishers behind this book are Hannah Fettig and Alana Dakos aka KnitBot & NeverNotKnitting. Their collective style and creativity are perfectly complimentary and have resulted in the kind of book you want to have around even if you never have time to knit from it because its just so pretty. But really, you should MAKE TIME to knit from it. I can’t help you figure out where to start–my advice is to open to a random page and just begin. You can’t go wrong.
I love the inspiration behind the book too–the “coastal” element incorporating both designer’s respective environments. You’ll learn a little bit about each author before the book delves into projects, then there are more specific introductions to each design that draw in the personalities responsible for them. Alana & Hannah were even able to incorporate locally produced yarns!
I knit up both the Rocky Coast Cardigan & the Cambrian Cowl. I also have plans to knit the Sand & Sea Shawlette as a Christmas Present! The Cowl was so cute and fast to knit up. I have never knit a cowl before and this one really suited me. (hint hint, great for holiday gifting!) I also love when buttons are a feature because it means you can really personalize it and make it look different even if you knit it more than once.
Okay and though I’ve talked about it before, in case you missed it, here’s another look at my Rocky Coast Cardi. I did shorten the sleeves a bit since I live in the Deep South and its still 90 degrees daily…I wanted more wear out of it through the year. I’ve linked the pic to my Ravelry project if you’re interested in the details.
I decided to ask a few off-the-wall questions of these women for a quick interview. I hope you’ll enjoy getting to know their quirky side as they indulged me by answering 
Alana & Hannah also answered a bunch of questions on the latest NeverNotKnitting Podcast episode if you want to learn even more.
Q: What is the latest you stayed up working on this book?
Hannah: I’m almost positive Alana beat me on this, but I didn’t go to bed before midnight for most of this project. I have a toddler, so night time = work time!
Alana: I remember one night actually getting out of bed at 3am and working until 5am on it. I was so stressed about it, that I couldn’t sleep!
Q: What food made you most productive?
Alana: I’m pregnant.. so any type of food is welcome right now. I did eat a lot of crackers and cheese during this project because I was too busy to make something more complicated.
Hannah: COFFEE
Q: Is there anything in particular (food, a song, a tv show you watched in the background) that will be a reminder of this book process for years to come?
Alana: I think that the one thing that will be forever linked to Coastal Knits in my mind is this pregnancy. That’s all I’ve been doing since I found out I was pregnant! I feel like our little one will always be thought of as “The Coastal Knits Baby”.
Q: Approximately how far behind did you get in housework?
Hannah: Let’s just say that no visitors been allowed upstairs in our house for 9 months.
Alana: To the point where I feel I will never catch up! I’ll spare you the ugly details..
Q: Which design was most challenging for you?
Alana: The Gnarled Oak Cardigan. This was the second adult sweater that I had ever designed and the yoke chart is fairly complex. It was hard to get the stitch counts right when decreasing for the yoke while increasing and decreasing in the stitch pattern itself. It was quite tricky and took more swatching than I care to remember.
Hannah: Rocky Coast – it was challenging to figure out the all over cable pattern from the top down. Some said it couldn’t be done…but I did it!
Q: Who in your household was most excited for the book to be finished?
Alana: Probably everyone! It’s been a big endeavor and I’m sure that the family is happy to have the book writing over and done with.
Hannah: My husband. He’s excited about the project and it’s success right out of the gate. He’s also excited to have me back as part of the family
Q: At what point did you feel like you were really going to ever get it completed?
Alana: We had a deadline. There were times where I never thought we would reach it but it all came together in the end. Having the baby due in November gave us a lot of incentive to work hard and get everything in on time. I had this reoccurring nightmare about editing book proofs in the delivery room!
Q: If you were a salad, what kind of dressing would you have?
Hannah: Balsamic Vinaigrette
Alana: Ranch
Q: What was the most surprising thing you learned about each other during this process?
Hannah: Alana has business card sized plastic bags for her business cards.
Alana: Hannah has a morbid fear of scrapbooks.
Q: Inspired for your next collection yet?
Alana: Oh boy.. I think I’ll need some time before I can answer that one.
Hannah: Can we answer this one in a few months? And breath.
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Get Your Copy
See? Told you that would be fun! But, even more fun is that these ladies are giving away a signed copy of the book to one of you. Hooray! Now that I think about it I should have made them sign my copy Simple rule to enter this giveaway. Post only ONE comment. Cross your fingers, and I’ll draw a winner sometime Wednesday, probably later in the day. Its a quick one because I’m getting ready to head out to SAFF on Thursday morning. And if you don’t happen to be lucky here on my blog, keep following the blog tour because I have a feeling there will be other opportunities! Here’s the blog tour schedule:
Coastal Knits Blog Tour
Saturday, October 15 – Never Not Knitting Podcast hosted by Alana and Hannah
Monday, October 17 – Kate Oates of Tot Toppers
Tuesday, October 18 – Knitmore Girls, podcast review
Wednesday, October 19 – Mary Joy Gumayagay, our wonderful graphic designer
Friday, October 21 – Romi Hill of Designs by Romi
Monday, October 24 – Andrea Sanchez, adventures of a sample knitter
Wednesday, October 26 – Kelbourne Woolens, distributors of The Fibre Company
Friday, October 28 – Allegra Wermuth, of Petite Purls
Monday, October 31 – Susan B. Anderson
Wednesday, November 2 – Carrie Bostick Hoge, of Maddermade and Quince & Co.
Friday, November 4 – Wendy Bernard of Knit and Tonic
Monday, November 7 – Nicole Dupuis, sample knitter chronicle
Wednesday, November 9 – Ariane Caron – Lacoste of Falling Stitches
Friday, November 11 – Deirdre Kennedy, adventures of a sample knitter
Monday, November 14 - Shannon Cook of Luvin the mommyhood
Wednesday, November 16 – Anne Hanson of Knitspot
Friday, November 18 – Julie Crawford of Knitted Bliss
Monday, November 21 – Margaux Hufnagel of tentenknits
Monday, November 28 – Kirsten Kapur of Through the Loops
Wednesday, November 30 – Jaala Spiro of Knit Circus
Friday, December 2 – Cecily Glowick MacDonald of Winged Knits
Monday, December 5 – Veronika Jobe of Yarn on the House
I am such a fan of these designers and this project looks fantastic!
I’m just starting the sleeves on my Coastal Knits and I can’t wait to finish this and to see the book. I know it’s going to be so beautiful. I’ll gift a copy to my DIL if by chance I get a second copy. I love how yours turned out.
Oooh, I’ve been eying this book since I first saw it announced. The Rocky Coast Cardigan is just fantastic! I hope I win
This book looks absolutely lovely!!
I already bought a copy, but would love to give a copy to my knitting friends. Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Thanks for the hosting a stop on the tour! I’ve been enjoying reading about the process of this book. I’m a Maritimer living on the West coast, so I can relate to both sides.
This books looks lovely!
The book looks wonderful! I would love to win!
I’d love to win this book… so many beautiful designs. I love your Rocky Coast Cardi!
I am so excited about this book! Would love to win a copy and get my local girl, Alana, to sign it! I am a huge fan.
I want to knit everything in this book!!
Rav ID: kristinfitzgerald
The book looks fabulous – can’t wait to see more!
I love both of these designers and their patterns. It would be awesome to win a copy of their book!
I love that cardigan!
I love your interview! This book looks great, I can’t wait to see it.
Great interview!! And beautiful book!!
i totally covet this book! the sweaters are just gorgeous! i hope i win
Such beautiful designs from 2 great designers. I love the concept of this book! Thanks for a fun interview with Alana and Hannah.
The book sounds fantastic. I wish Alana and Hannah great success!
Congrats Brenda! You are the winner!
Sounds fantastic. Best wishes to Alana and Hannah!
Wow – this is a wonderful book, and it would be awesome to win a copy !! Loved the interview questions !!
Farrelk2 at gmail dot com
Oh, the knits in this book are so beautiful. I’d love to get my hands on one! I enjoyed the interview, it was fun to read. Thanks for this opportunity to win!
I have already knit the Rustling Leaves beret and it is fabulous!
Thanks for a great interview and the chance to win a copy.
This book looks amazing!
Great questions! And the book looks terrific.
I want to knit the Rustling Leaves beret!! Can’t WAIT to see the book
This is a great collection of patterns! I could see myself knitting most, if not, all of them! I hope I’m lucky enough to win!
Great interview. Can’t wait to see the book!
What fun knits!!
Thanks for the review and lovely pics. The book looks great!
Oh boy! Keeping my fingers crossed that I’ll be the lucky winner!
Loved your review, and loved the pictures of the designs on the Coastal Knits website!
I would love to win a copy of this book! …and I loved your quirky questions Kate!
Thank you for the review.
I preordered this the first day that was available. Hard to say which I am/was for excited about: receiving the book or my new iPhone 4s. I’ve been pouncing on the mailman every day.
I have been talking the book up to everyone in my local knitting groups so will have NO problem gifting it to a good friend that I know will love it, if I win it, that is (was getting a little ahead of myself there! Whoa, Katie).
Just wanted to add that I’ve knit “Rustling Leaves” already and am taking it with me when my husband and I vacation on the Central Cali coast in two weeks for our anniversary. That will be pretty sweet!
I’ve seen the patterns and heard a lot of good things about this book. I love the Rocky Coast Cardigan and your not typical take on an interview.
What a great quick read this was, thanks!
Great interview! Your projects from the book look great and I can’t wait to read the book!
yeah! a give away!
haha love those questions – and love the knits! That Rocky Coast cardi is now on my queue… gorgeous.
This looks like a great book! Thanks for the giveaway!
Such a beautiful book!
Great Interview! I’m excited about this book and really like both designers.
Have already knit Rustling Leaves, and can’t wait to knit everything else!
So excited to knit from this book and view the beautiful photos!
I did the pre-order and I’m now more eager than ever to get my hands on the book. Your cardigan is beautiful. Thank you for sharing!
I love Hannah and Alana and I really *need* this book.
This looks like a good book to have.
melodyj(at)gmail(dot)com
I would love to have this book. I am a new knitter (1year) and I have made 2 patterns from Never Not Knitting. I love her work. Thanks for the give-a-way!
Lisa
This looks like a wonderful book! I can’t wait to get my hands on it.
I love this book and it would be the perfect birthday present if I win!
Thank you for the fun interview with Alana and Hannah. Coastal Knits looks like such a lovely, inspiring book.
Rav ID: MokeyKnitter
Awesome interview, I can’t wait to get my mitts on this book!
This book looks great!
I just love your posts, you have some of the most beautiful pictures.
Great interview I love this book. Your cowl looks great I love that color pink and those buttons are great. The cardigan looks great I love the sleeves when I finally decide what yarn to use on mine I think that I will copy you.
i love this book! thank you for sharing your love of it with us! congrats to alana and hannah for a great book!
What a great looking book! I hope I win!
I would love a copy!
This book looks amazing! Love your projects from it, Kate.
yay! I love giveaways and knitting books!
This book poses problems….. Like which pattern does one knit first?!!!
I admire Hannah’s patterns. I have yarn and the Featherweight pattern that I need to start.
Looks like some awesome knitting to be had! Who doesn’t love a giveaway!
I love so many of these patterns!!!
I hope to win this one I love everything in this book!! Thanks for the chance to win!!
I can’t wait to see this book!
I’ve been knitting for less than a year & have yet to get an actual book! =) This one looks beautiful!
Wonderful interview. So fun to get to know the ladies behind the fabulous designs. Speaking of, I NEED that cardi!
I so love the cardi! Need the book so I can make it.
I love pretty knitting books to look through, even if I don’t ever get around to knitting out of them! (I still dream about having time to knit from them though!)
The patterns, the photography, the stories… this book looks like a work of ART!
Hey Kate – what a cute book review – and a gorgeous sweater. This was a lot of fun! (sorry I missed knitting night last month – hopefully I can remember and make it next time – baby brain!) ~Nikki
I’m dying to get a copy of Coastal knits and would be SO excited to win it! Thanks for a great giveaway!
Sounds like a fantastic book – I’ve got my fingers crossed!
Such a great collection! and Kate I LOVE LOVE LOVE your Rocky Coast, every time I see it I want to knit one for myself.
Your little q&a was great, especially the revelation about Alana’s business card-sized plastic bag holders. Who knew. And I always wondered what was going on in the background with Alana and Hannah, when they weren’t working on the book or emailing me about design details here and there. It was a great experience working with those two…
PS: I already have the book! No need to add me to the giveaway.
I would love to own that book!
Looks like a gorgeous book!
The patterns in this book look gorgeous and your sweater turned out great! Thanks for the chance to win!
I hope I win!!!!!
Thanks for the reviewand giveaway. the patterns look wonderful
I would love this book – the beret is so sweet! thanks!
I’m sure the giveaway is closed but I just wanted to say I enjoyed the non-traditional interview questions and your knits from the book, well, they make me want to knit now.
What a beautiful book!!!! Love the cowl and sweater you’ve knit – gorgeous!!!
I love your interview questions! What a fun, talented pair of authors.
I would love this book!
I love theses two designers and would love to own their book!
Rav: zenitude