Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Review and Giveaway! Ghosts e-book by Teresa Gregorio

In case you missed it, Teresa of Canary Knits recently released a new e-book entitled Ghosts: historiographies, cultural manifestations, and the knits they've inspired, just in time for the Halloween season. Teresa is a long-time blog friend of mine, and one of my favorite knit designers. I'm constantly impressed by how she comes up with ideas for knits that are both wearable and utterly unique -- she designs garments and accessories the likes of which I've never seen before (in a GOOD way!). Add to that, she's a great writer, at times quirky and whimsical, at other times scholarly, and always intelligent and inquisitive.


Anyway, her new e-book combines both of these talents of hers, being a collection of lovely, unique designs as well as a fascinating read. In it, she examines through a series of essays how different cultures have viewed ghosts, who in those cultures were the ones writing about them, what they looked like, and how all these things have changed through time. (Did you know that ghosts represented as white, translucent beings is only a fairly modern invention? Or that for quite some time, they only appear in writings as men?) She's done a great job compiling what must have been a huge amount of research, and makes some very interesting hypotheses as well.

And the designs! Each of the 11 patterns is thoughtfully inspired by her research and done in a lovely color palette. The designs range from pretty accessories and a pair of twisted-stitch socks to garments such as a loose pullover and a skirt. Some of my favorites include...

Feathers, an asymmetrical scarf done in a really pretty stitch pattern...

The versatile Ectoplasm Cowl...

Progression, a simple garter stitch shawl that I would live in...


The whimsical Calavera Catrina bonnet...
 

And Galoshans, a lacey batwing sweater, perfect for fall.

I love her styling and photography as well, and how she takes what could be such a creepy subject and treats it in such an un-creep-ified, historian's way.

So would you like to win a copy of this fantastic e-book? Simply check out the designs and let me know which one is your favorite (as well as a way to contact you). I'll leave comments open until next Monday at 12:00pm Pacific time, after which I'll draw a winner.  Good luck!

21 comments:

Jean Ashley said...

I like many of the patterns, but I really like the look of the cardigan Utukku. I love ribbon rows! I'm jashleyslc on Ravelry. Thanks for hosting such a great giveaway!

Ginger said...

Aberrant, I love an earflap hat and the cables are great!

Rav: GingerLee25

Suzanne said...

I like the athenodorus skirt and progression. Ghosts are an interesting platform for knitting designs and inspiration.

melanie said...

I like Progression, though the Ectoplasm is calling my name!

Windybrook Spinner said...

My favorite is Hitodama. I love those blues and the linen stitch. Very interesting. The essays sound fascinating too.

Cloudberry said...

They are all so cool, but I really like Feathers and The Uncanny .
Hege on Ravelry

Katinka said...

The Uncanny socks are my favorite! :)

nook. said...

loving feathers and the ectoplasm cowl! seriously how pretty! thanks so much for this opportunity!
i'm gundyknitter on ravelry :) xo

Anonymous said...

I was first drawn to Feathers but Calavera Catrina won out. I could image a ghost appearing with this knit. This is such a unique work. Thank for letting us know it exists.
Raverly Id: acmcgowan

Juniper Grace said...

I am deeply in love with Ectoplasm! Funny I always imagined it to be a rather sticky and unfortunate thing to encounter thanks to Ghost Busters!

Ravelry: JuniperGrace

shayla76 said...

I just love the Calavera Catrina bonnet! I just love the empire period. I'm Shayla76 on ravelry.

Ash said...

I'm in love with Athenodorus.

cathydebbie said...

Ectoplasm!

Erin said...

Much as I love the cables of Aberrant and the color work on Hitodama, I'm really drawn to the understated look of the Ectoplasm cowl (not to mention the way its name calls to mind The Real Ghostbusters, which was one of my favorite shows when I was small!)

rav id: ordinerinlee

slmiller8 said...


the Uncanny socks are at the top of my list!

Anonymous said...

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

ravelry: karitive

Elizabeth Hope said...

Athenodorus is beautiful! What a unique way to knit a skirt.

Anonymous said...

I adore the Calavera Catrina—the texture on that bonnet is out of this world. Also, the shade she knitted it in is downright deadly :)

(As a historian, I would really enjoy knitting anything from a book with "historiographies" in the subtitle!)

Anonymous said...

I would love to knit Galoshans!

Rav ID Stellasmum

VĂ©ro said...

I really like Feathers and Progression. Thanks for the opportunity !

ravelry: veronique26

Jennifer said...

All of the patterns in this book are so amazing!! I must knit that gorgeous skirt, and those fantastic "Uncanny" socks!