Thursday 4 October 2012

Ghost Pattern Review and Giveaway Contest

Teresa of Canary Knits has put together a stunning (and timely!) collection of patterns inspired by ghosts stories from a variety of cultures and times. The collection is not just a gathering of patterns, but a beautifully researched collection of the history of ghost stories and perception of ghosts through different eras and cultures. I'm not even a huge fan of ghost stories, but the essays that intersperse the patterns make for some fascinating reading and I found myself totally engossed. The patterns are all inspired by the tales included, and all eleven patterns are innovative and beautiful.

My personal favourites from the collection:

Calavera Catrina, a bonnet with floral details that I'm obsessed with.


 Utukku, a lovely lacy shrug that can be worn with or without ribbons. 

 Uncanny, stunning socks featuring twisted stitches woven into a gothic design. 

The above are just three of the eleven patterns in the collection, and they are all fascinating knits. I had already decided I'd only show photos from three, and it was tough deciding! All the items are perfect for fall, and exploring the subject of ghosts at a time when we're gearing up for Halloween feels very appropriate.

Would you like to win a copy of this amazing collection? Then leave a comment telling me what you would most like to knit from the collection, and include your contact info (email or ravelry ID). You can enter until midnight on Friday night, and the winner will be announced on Saturday. Good luck!

81 comments:

b said...

I love aberrant. It is an amazingly quirky hat and perfect to keep my ears warm
rav bridiealeena

Tankini Surf said...

I love Uncanny.... intricate socks are so much fun!

Anonymous said...

the little red hat with the floral designs would be my first project from this collection - i have a knitting friend named kari who NEEDS that hat! i'm a little envious of how well she wears hats- with flair and panache! me - i just look like a goof no matter how lovely the hat!
cheers
molly
molly.nichol@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Aberrant for me. So pretty!

Ravnejenta on Ravelry

Nina Nilsen said...

I really love the bonnet, but I still think the "Galoshans" is the first thing I would do. It's getting cold over here, so a nice and delicate and almost creepy knitted sweather like that would be perfect.

Ravelry Id is Vilveig

Melinda said...

I love toe-up socks. So I'd choose The Uncanny. They are lovely with all their detail.

~Mindy

Mindy-loo on Ravelry

Colleen said...

I love the Athenodorus. I'm coveting that skirt. My ravelry id is cocopuffy.

Stefanie R. Maclin-Hurd said...

Progression just seems so perfect - I love all the ways you'd be able to wear it!

Ravelry id: azpidistra

Karine said...

Oh my goodness, how gorgeous is that hat!?! I'd love to knit the Calavera Catrina!

email: karinelarose@gmail.com
RavID: Taffywduck

Anne Marthe said...

so many nice things here,its really hard to choose!:)
i like both the aberrant and the calavera catrina,but i only have to choose one it would be the calavera!:)
anne_marthe18@hotmail.com

Katie said...

I have to admit, I love Aberrant! A warm hat like that would be perfect for chilly northern winds :)
Rav name: avakate

Awa said...

I would make the shrug. Adorable!

Meg said...

I am torn between Ectoplasm and Hitodama. They're both so perfect for fall!

Anonymous said...

Athenodorus looks as though it would be an amazing skirt to have in my closet. I don't know if it is the yarn used, but the skirt looks as if it would actually be really warm to wear in the fall. Thanks for introducing me to another knitter to follow!

sentinger53(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

I'd probably start with The Uncanny socks, but all of the designs are gorgeous! (sassykrafty on Ravelry)

Haley said...

Galoshans! Ohmigosh is it my dream sweater! I the skirt is also great and those mittens, but oh Galoshans!
rav: haley

Sarah said...

I am extremely fond of Galoshans. It looks like the perfect fall/early spring sweater. So wearable too and exactly my style.

Thanks!

Sarah
se_lyon@hotmail.com

Jen said...

I think that I've fallen in love with Calavera Catrina!

Rav: stormcoast

Anonymous said...

That collection looks wonderful! It's hard to choose between all the patterns but I think the first one I would knit would be "The Uncanny". Those socks just look wonderful!

-Jessica
Serenova on ravelry

Anonymous said...

The uncanny socks are perfect. What a lovely collection. I love ghost stories.

Amy said...

Ooh, the calavera cantina hat would be my favorite!

Lisa said...

I love Athenodorous...and feathers...and basically all of them. You're right, this is a beautiful collection! lmoya42@gmail.com

LauraH said...

I think it would be the feathers scarf. Beautiful!

Unknown said...

I want to make the Calavera Catrina bonnet. :D

Anonymous said...

I am also intrigued by the bonnet -- looks amazing!

dawn said...

Love the bonnet!!

Anonymous said...

I would totally cast on the Galoshans pullover! You could wear it all the way through spring! You are spot on when you said these patterns are amazing! And I love the idea of the essays mixed in too!

kateemlady@yahoo.com
RavelryID: Kateemlady

kjramstack said...

I would knit the Galoshans.

Unknown said...

I can see myself knitting any one of these patterns! I am enthralled by Hitodama, Ectoplasm, and especially Utukku ... I love the hood!

danielle said...

Utukkhu and Feathers would be my first choices....

Agnieszkasz123 said...

I love flower and leaves patterns so the Calavera Catrina is great, lovely and of course "must knit" pattern.

Faith (the Vampire Slayer) said...

I am absolutely in love with the bonnet. I think it would be a perfect item for our warmer winters here in the American South.

Estella said...

I like Aberrant - kind of funky looking.
emhknits on Ravelry

Julia said...

I like Ectoplasm for its "structured" look.
Rav: ulca

Anonymous said...

I really like the asymmetrical cables in Aberrant. AND my little sister (9) has recently expressed interest in a hat/scarf combination - so if I knit this, I'd make the "earflaps" much longer to get them to scarf length.

Juliane (Llule on ravelry)

melanie said...

I really like Progression.
qtpieknitter on rav

Unknown said...

Oh this would be awesome! My husband loves ghost stories and Halloween is my favorite time of the year. I'd love to get started on the collection with The Uncanny but honestly it's hard to choose just one.

Alyssa said...

I'm usually not a garment person but I love Galoshans. I would make that in a heartbeat!

M said...

I too love the floral hat, but I think I'd try to size it down for my darling wee daughter.

rav melissalee

Heather in Montreal (hmcclure@sympatico.ca) said...

I love the calavera cantina hat. It would look absolutely charming on my sweetheart!

nook. said...

i'm loving the ectoplasm. what an amazing giveway! and you're right... perfect timing!
thanks for the opportunity!
rav name: gundyknitter

Jazmine said...

I love that bonnet! But my favorite is definitely the Galoshans sweater patter, so perfect and cozy for fall! :)

itsyknitsyspider@yahoo.com

Lisle said...

I have 3 favorites! Ectoplasm, Utukku, and Aberrant. I love them!

Anonymous said...

I am intrigued by the bonnet too - it looks like a very interesting concept. But I will be most interested to knit and wear Athenodorus.

Ghost stories scare me still, but this is a very pretty collection. :)

Rav Kessanlin

Katherine said...

i love galoshans!! it's so pretty and looks so cozy. it'd be just right on a day like today haha. moonjumper on ravelry

rvknitz said...

The spooky shrug would be my choice... looks perfect for creepy around the cemetery on Halloween.

Michelle said...

Wow, what a great giveaway! I like all of the designs, but Galoshans is the one I keep going back to- the shape and stitch choice is so unique. My rav name is mamatronic.

Unknown said...

The whole collection is great but Calavera Catrina is my number one pick.

mel said...

While I love Galoshans a TON, I know I will be knitting Ectoplasm first. The chilly winds are already starting here in Eastern Ontario!! My rav id is mel27

Amanda said...

Uncanny is calling my name!

Ravelry ID: capitalcrafter

Anonymous said...

Cool! This is actually similar to an idea I decided I didn't have time to make reality - glad someone else did! I love a good ghost story, and would love to make "The Uncanny". My Rav name is Redraveler.

Lindsey said...

I love hitodama-beautiful!
rav id: jdscootsgirl

Alice said...

I'm drawn to Ectoplasm (the hood/cowl) but I'd probably knit Progression. I love gradients!
Rav: meowyblues

Hayley said...

I really love Calavera Katrina as it evokes the "Day of the Dead," which is a strong tradition in Mexico where I currently live. I really love the floral details too!

Rav ID: hayleyarmstrong

veewee said...

I'd make Ectoplasm!

From foetle on Rav

Unknown said...

Ectoplasm

I love cowls like that!

miss.lucylee@gmail.com
ravelry: lucy-insky

Lis said...

"Rites" looks very pretty. Such an interesting construction.

-- aBillion on Ravelry

Anonymous said...

Hitodama. I love linen stitch... seems interesting with color work too!

friendsonly on ravelry

can't wait to read the stories

Erin said...

The ectoplasm cowl is so perfect!

rav id: ordinerinlee

Minna T said...

I'd choose Uncanny socks.

Rav id mintui

dendiane said...

I like the Aberrant hat for my daughter. That is just the style she likes. For myself, I like the uncanny socks or shrug. Very pretty!

koreakiwi said...

The Calavera Catrina bonnet is sooo adorable. I will have to make it!!
koreakiwi on ravelry

Anonymous said...

Athenodorus would be my first choice... It's super cute!
email: mel_355@hotmail.com

Naycha said...

Although I think the Calavera Catrina is beautiful and I know several people it would look stunning on...I'd have to say my favorite is the Ectoplasm cowl/hood. I've been wanting a hood for forever and a hood that is also a cowl would be even more wearable.

Rav ID: Naycha

mominwbl said...

Calavera Catrina most definately would be the first thing I would make from this collection.

Anonymous said...

Calavera Catrina is lovely...although they're all amazing patterns. I like Galoshans quite a bit too.
My rav ID is helene8706

Allison said...

Wow, what a gorgeous collection! It's really hard to choose a favorite with all the hats and shawls (so great for fall), but I love The Uncanny socks.
allisonlgray@gmail.com

Kathy Schemmel said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kathy Schemmel said...

I also just LOVE the bonnet! I would start with Calavera Catrina!

kathy

klschemmel@chartermi.net
katlee on Rav

Unknown said...

I really like the uncanny socks!

Rav Id: shoelaceswitcher

Lirent said...

Interesting and nice collection. I like the most Abberant. Thank you the chance for the game. My rav id. is lirent.

judy said...

definitely the bonnet!!

Amber Weinberg said...

OMG Want to make those Uncanny socks!!!!

Anonymous said...

I like the "feather"! All beautiful, though.
I am jessek on Ravelry

Anonymous said...

Utuku is my favorite but all of them are amazing!
Rav Id : sagasy

slmiller8 said...

That red hat is gorgeous, and I love the Uncanny socks, too; it's a tie!

NJ said...

I really love the hat. It's so different and so beautiful in that yarn. I love the socks too.

Anonymous said...

I like the textured effect from the flowers on Calavera Catrina.

ravelry: karitive

Unknown said...

I like the Uncanny socks. They look complex yet understated.

zophenia@gmail.com
Rav id: zolow

Mippy said...

I'd love to knit the Calavera Catrina :)

flora said...

I think the Uncanny socks are pretty!
Love.

rav id: flowerpot2