Simply Knitting
issue 60 hits the shops on Thursday 8 October 2009 – and we've got a special treat for you in this issue.
Nine of our advertisers are each giving away a Great Gift for Knitters so nine lucky winners will each be able to try one of their fab products. Turn to page 32-33 to find out more about the products they've chosen and find the keywords for each give away then click on the links below to enter.
Knitted Bouquet 'Dizzy Daisy' kit giveaway
Black Hills 'Touch Yarns' kit giveaway
Krafty Koala lace yarn giveaway
Hantex 'Dumpy' Mili silk bag giveaway
Toft Alpacas 'Hottie' kit giveaway
DermaGuard hand cream giveaway
Jamie Possum Denise Interchangeable Needles set giveaway
Viridian KnitPro starter set giveaway
Gift in a Tin 'Lace Scarf' kit giveaway
Monday October 05, 2009 Advertising Feature: Great Gifts for Knitters competitions
Ideas to help – or hinder – your gift knitting
So you've counted down the days until you have to give your gifts, make a list or perhaps written out a schedule – but what are you actually going to do until the big day? We've got lots of fun ideas that might help – or hinder – your gift knitting progress.
Help
Go yarn shopping at a show! We’re all going to the Knitting & Stitching show at Alexandra Palace. Ally Pally’s a great place to pick up all sorts of knitting bits. We’ll be sewing up blankets on the Macmillan Stand – and for a small charitable donation, we’ll turn your skeins into neat balls, too. Doubly helpful!
Hinder
innocent still need tiny hats! And send your most creative hats in to our competition and you could win a fab hamper. G'wan – it's only a quick break from your scheduled knitting!
Help
Make charity gifts, like the ones in the Oxfam Unwrapped range even more personal by knitting for charities your friends and family support. You could give them the hats, the yarn and a promise card – or take a photo of your hard work and tuck it into a card with a note explaining what you did.
Hinder
Don't forget Halloween! There are lots of cute and spooky things to knit, including Alan Dart's beautiful Batty from issue 59.
Help
Make a list of what you need to get done, set some deadlines – and get reminders emailed to you by using free to-do list software like Remember the Milk.
Hinder
Indulge in your other hobbies like seeing friends, cycling or salsa dancing.
Help
Get your partner or a friend to chauffeur you around – you can spend the journey time knitting.
Hinder
Got too much knitting time? Offer to take care of a friend's children for the weekend... you'll be lucky to knit a stitch.
Help
Encourage your children to sleepover at friend's houses as much as possible. Book in several return visits – for January.
Hinder
Let the cat in. They can always tell that when you're stressed is the perfect moment to develop an interest in chewing yarn – or needles.
Help
Team up with a friend and work through the less fun bits together – turn making up into a party!
Hinder
Remember that there are other aspects to Christmas than presents. Find you're unable to ignore small details like not having a tree.
Help
Delegate. If you've got children, bribe them to decorate the house and explain to guests that they were so proud of their lopsided work you couldn't bear to tidy it up. No need to mention you were too busy knitting...
Hinder
Decide – with three days to go – that you really should knit something for your child's teachers/friend's new baby/work secret santa swap.
Help
Learn to knit faster.
We're sure you can come up with lots more suggestions – silly or sensible, we don't mind. Add your thoughts in the comments!
Help
Go yarn shopping at a show! We’re all going to the Knitting & Stitching show at Alexandra Palace. Ally Pally’s a great place to pick up all sorts of knitting bits. We’ll be sewing up blankets on the Macmillan Stand – and for a small charitable donation, we’ll turn your skeins into neat balls, too. Doubly helpful!
Hinder
innocent still need tiny hats! And send your most creative hats in to our competition and you could win a fab hamper. G'wan – it's only a quick break from your scheduled knitting!
Help
Make charity gifts, like the ones in the Oxfam Unwrapped range even more personal by knitting for charities your friends and family support. You could give them the hats, the yarn and a promise card – or take a photo of your hard work and tuck it into a card with a note explaining what you did.
Hinder
Don't forget Halloween! There are lots of cute and spooky things to knit, including Alan Dart's beautiful Batty from issue 59.
Help
Make a list of what you need to get done, set some deadlines – and get reminders emailed to you by using free to-do list software like Remember the Milk.
Hinder
Indulge in your other hobbies like seeing friends, cycling or salsa dancing.
Help
Get your partner or a friend to chauffeur you around – you can spend the journey time knitting.
Hinder
Got too much knitting time? Offer to take care of a friend's children for the weekend... you'll be lucky to knit a stitch.
Help
Encourage your children to sleepover at friend's houses as much as possible. Book in several return visits – for January.
Hinder
Let the cat in. They can always tell that when you're stressed is the perfect moment to develop an interest in chewing yarn – or needles.
Help
Team up with a friend and work through the less fun bits together – turn making up into a party!
Hinder
Remember that there are other aspects to Christmas than presents. Find you're unable to ignore small details like not having a tree.
Help
Delegate. If you've got children, bribe them to decorate the house and explain to guests that they were so proud of their lopsided work you couldn't bear to tidy it up. No need to mention you were too busy knitting...
Hinder
Decide – with three days to go – that you really should knit something for your child's teachers/friend's new baby/work secret santa swap.
Help
Learn to knit faster.
We're sure you can come up with lots more suggestions – silly or sensible, we don't mind. Add your thoughts in the comments!
