Skip to main content

Review & Giveaway: Curls 2 by Hunter Hammersen

Earlier this year, I was sent two copies of Curls 2, the newest book of shawl knitting patterns by Hunter Hammersen. One copy has already found a treasured place in my knitting library, but the second one will be given away to one lucky blog reader (keep reading to find out how you can enter).

front_cover_medium2

If you're already familiar with the first Curls book (see my review here), then you already know the deal: each pattern is customizable for any yarn gauge or yardage, and they produce a shawl shape that is gentle curved on each end - it's probably best described as an asymmetrical shawl, because you begin with the smallest number of stitches and increase regularly clear up until you bind off.

Since each shawl is knit with the same formula, it's best to check out the Anatomy of a Curl section at the start of the book to help you understand the patterns themselves, which are mainly driven by the cleverly color coded charts and their accompanying color-coded schematics (all of which are explained clearly in this section of the book). This section is particularly handy if you want to modify any of the designs.

There are 14 designs total, each knit in gray yarn - I can recall the post on Hunter's blog where she shared several gray swatches and hinted at what was to come of them - I am pretty excited to see it carried through to completion, since I am also a lover of gray yarn. As far as I can tell, all of the pattern names are synonyms for one another, leaning towards some of the more fun/fanciful word choices (Taradiddle, Perfidy, Equivocation). By my count, there are 9 lacy patterns and 5 textured/cabled stitch patterns total.

All_Curls_2_medium2

As in the first Curls book, it looks like the patterns in this book are arranged from simplest to most complex. For the purposes of this review, I wanted to have at least one project knit from the book, and I had originally started Prevarication, which is the third pattern in the book. For some reason, I just couldn't get the hang of it, and it wasn't due to any shortcomings in the pattern; you know how sometimes you just can't stop messing something up despite your best efforts? That was me with this pattern - I think I've just been very distracted this fall in general...

Anyway, I ended up frogging that and restarting Perfidy, which is the 5th pattern in the book - and while I did make a few mistakes here and there which I had to rip back and fix, on the whole, I had a lot more success with this design - here it is blocking:

Untitled

I'll be sharing the finished photos this Friday once I get a chance to take modeled shots. I am super pleased with how it turned out, and I would definitely give Prevarication another try if I knew that I had a quiet month without travel/holidays/etc ahead of me; I think the internal pressure I put on myself to hurry up and finish the project for this review probably didn't help either, so I am not willing to give up on that pattern just yet. It's so pretty!

prevarication
The other patterns in my queue are Equivocation:

equivocation

...and Chicanery:

13_string_1_copy_medium2
Trickery looks like it's earned its name a bit, by that texture is pretty hard to resist:

trickery

Here are some other things you need to know: each print copy of the book comes with a download code so you can get the PDF version. You also have the option to buy the PDF only, if you prefer.

It's available directly from Pantsville Press or via Ravelry and also on Amazon (perfect for adding to your holiday wish list)!


Giveaway Time! 


As promised, one lucky winner will get a print copy of Curls 2. To be eligible in the drawing, just leave a comment saying which pattern from the book you'd like to knit (see them all here); be sure to also mention your Ravelry ID or email address so that I can contact you if you win.

I'd also appreciate it if you followed me on Instagram, Pinterest, or Facebook, though that is not a requirement for entry/ I also recommend signing up for my newsletter, which I send out only when there is something newsworthy (such as a new pattern or blog giveaway).

I'll randomly select a winning comment to announce here on my blog on Friday, December 2. Also, this contest is open to people worldwide. Good luck!

Comments

  1. So hard to choose. I love them all. I'd have to say I'd do Fakery first. Love the leafy pattern. I'm squiggi on ravelry

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
  2. I think I would knit Subterfuge first. It looks so warm.
    Thanks for the great giveaway. I'm Calliopesmom on ravelry.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh I love the first book so much (one of the first ebooks I ever bought). I want to knit them all, but I think Trickery would be the first on my list! (And if I don't win it here, looks like I know exactly what to ask Rob to get me for Chanukkah!) Tollbaby on ravelry :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Mendacity looks amazingly squishy, doesn't it? Tsita on rav

    ReplyDelete
  5. I would have to try my hand at Taradiddle. Looks fun!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love the look of Trickery! I'm Chayacrochets on Ravelry, and I agree with Lynne, this would be a great Chanukah present!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I am equally in love with Equivocation and Trickery-although I really love cables as well as lace! Thanks for the chance to win--I recently finished my Springtastic Socks--I'm Suzieknittingmama on Ravelry--the project photos are in my project part of my notebook!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'd love to knit Cozenage - I'm pretty sure it would look great made of one of my handspun yarns. My usual problem with handspun yarns "will it be enough for this particular pattern?" with "Curls 2" wouldn't be a problem :) (my Ravelry ID is mariadegustibus)

    ReplyDelete
  9. I really want to knit Fakery. It's such a lovely shawl. Thank you for the giveaway. Happy Thanksgiving. Savannagal on Rav

    ReplyDelete
  10. I would love to knit Artifice!
    asteride on Ravelry

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh my gosh it is no mean feat to pick a single one I most want to knit. After much deliberation, I landed on Cozenage! They're all really lovely though, as are the patterns in the first collection.

    ktsmurf on Rav.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Chicanery is calling my name! This is a beautiful book, thank you for the giveaway! I am Nailya on Ravelry

    ReplyDelete
  13. So hard to choose! I think I would knit Cozenage - the honeycomb pattern is so intriguing. Revelry ID is ClassySquid ��

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Make that RAVELRY, new phone's autocorrect hasn't gotten used to that word yet! Lol.

      Delete
  14. Tara fiddle is my top choice.
    SwingCat123 on Ravelry

    ReplyDelete
  15. Chicanery would be on my needles so fast!, IG = @catsandyarns. I'm Catsandyarns1 on Ravelry.

    ReplyDelete
  16. subterfuge for me!

    Creativity! on Rav!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Artifice is beautiful! Although it looks tricky so I suspect I'd knit the first one in the book (whichever that is) to get the hang of it first. I didn't get very far with my curl from book 1 as I used an unrippable yarn and there are too many mistakes to continue! Would be good to start afresh. TamsinB on ravelry

    ReplyDelete
  18. I would LOVE to knit the Equivocation Shawl. It's beautiful! I love challenges. My Ravelry ID is witchylady.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I can't wait to see more! I'm going to check out other projects on rav right now!
    A few caught my eye but chicanery is calling my name! I really think this is a super cool idea and collection!
    Knithard on the rav

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love them all! Equivocation is catching my eye at the moment. I've wanted this book since I first saw it! Rav amchart

    ReplyDelete
  21. Falsity would be my first choice. I love how Hunter has embraced grey forvthese. I'd love a copy of the second curls book to go with the first one I own. ninja-knitter on Ravelry

    ReplyDelete
  22. I like the Equivocation first. knittenfeet on ravelry

    ReplyDelete
  23. They are all so lovely but I think I would try Taradiddle first. Thank you for the generous giveaway. Sisterrobinson on Ravelry.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I really like Equivocation so I would knit it first.

    Rachel-O on Ravelry

    ReplyDelete
  25. Cozenage is simply beautiful! I'd definitely want to try it first.

    fairysprite22 on Ravelry

    ReplyDelete
  26. I really like them all , but to pick one would be Equivocation,, blueyarnalways on Rav

    ReplyDelete
  27. I love Cozenage the best, but I like them all.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I would start with Artifice, Equivocation, and Falsity. But I'm sure I'd knit more of them if I was the lucky winner!

    globalite on Ravelry.

    ReplyDelete
  29. I would love to knit almost all of them, but I'd start with Fakery.

    ReplyDelete
  30. I think most of the patterns are beautiful, but my favorite is Equivocation

    purple on Ravelry

    ReplyDelete
  31. I love the http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/taradiddle-2

    ReplyDelete
  32. Chicanery is my favourite. BUT it is hard to pick just one as a standout.
    poodlelady on Ravelry

    ReplyDelete
  33. Gorgeous!!! I would love to knit pretense (although it's hard to choose!) Thanks for the giveaway

    ReplyDelete
  34. I think I'd knit Taradiddle first.

    ikkinlala AT yahoo DOT ca

    ReplyDelete
  35. Chicanery would be first on my list, but all are lovely.

    NanaMamah on Rav

    ReplyDelete
  36. Fakery looks like an interesting knit.

    canuckeh on rav.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Privatization Sandee8908 on ravelery

    ReplyDelete
  38. I really love Artifice. It's lovely. Thanks for this chance.
    Rav ID knitter-pixie

    ReplyDelete
  39. Equivocation looks like fun! I'm yarnella on Rav.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Chicanery, hands down. Love the stitch pattern. misslillyknits on Rav

    ReplyDelete
  41. Definitely Chicanery! I was drawn to that one right away. I'm stitchedbysara on Ravelry.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Fakery.

    carolsumie on Ravelry

    ReplyDelete
  43. I love so many of them so it was a tough call between Chicanery and Prevarication.... but Prevarication wins (mostly because I've got a lovely skein of cashmere laceweight that has not yet found its calling... until now)

    I'm shoshie on ravelry

    ReplyDelete
  44. Absolutely love the detailed lace pattern on Falsity. I'm sure I have a skein in my stash to knit this beauty up. I'm theperfectstitch on ravelry.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Gorgeous patterns - i would knit Falsity first!

    Charlyfeathers on ravelry

    ReplyDelete
  46. Chicanery! Oh, I adore that shawl, in the same color!

    ReplyDelete
  47. Taradiddle would be the first one I would make
    Ravelry Id nhsarab

    ReplyDelete
  48. Taradiddle would be the first one I would make
    Ravelry Id nhsarab

    ReplyDelete
  49. I love Fakery & would have to make that first :-) I'm Laurpud on Rav

    ReplyDelete
  50. Chicanery! What a fun word, I'll have to try to use it three times tomorrow. But I'd probably knit Trickery first. Thanks for the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  51. I really like the way Prevarication turned out! That would be my first go-to. (lafileuse on Rav)

    ReplyDelete
  52. I would want to do Trickery, I am mypark on ravelry

    ReplyDelete
  53. Mendacity! I follow you on FB and IG 😍 RavID: DayanaKnits

    ReplyDelete
  54. I'm amazed at the amount of time and effort that went into the creation of this book. Each pattern is totally striking. Since I have to choose: Fakery might be the first pattern I would knit. Thank you for providing this giveaway.
    --LynneW

    ReplyDelete
  55. Equivocation would be my first pick because of the cables, but not an easy decision because I could see waves of water in Falsity and want to do it in a great lakes shade of blue. Rav Id: Kamaor

    ReplyDelete
  56. I love so many of them so it was a tough call between Chicanery and Prevarication.... but Prevarication wins (mostly because I've got a lovely skein of cashmere laceweight that has not yet found its calling... until now)

    I'm shoshie on ravelry

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Easy DIY: Beaded Vintage Snowflake Ornament Kits from Solid Oak Inc.

I was really excited to step outside of my comfort zone and try something new as part of my "Christmas in July" theme this month. The kind folks at Solid Oak Inc offered me a chance to review one of their Nostalgic Christmas beaded crystal ornament kits I couldn't resist. My tree is already full of ornaments I've inherited or been gifted from other family members and friends,  so these pretty crystal beaded ornaments will fit right in I think! I was super impressed with  this compact little kit , which includes everything needed to create three gorgeous vintage-style ornaments - just add a pair of round nose pliers (I found mine on Amazon for less than ten bucks).  The instructions had some fabulous tips for newbies like me; for example, it recommended sorting the beads and laying them out in order on a towel or beading mat to prevent them from rolling away. That may seem obvious, but I was totally ready to start beading on my kitchen table without a

What If I Didn't Add Heels?

Last weekend, I finished the first sock with my Waterlilies yarn , and just for yuks, I tried it on even though it was basically just a tube sock. Much to my surprise, it fit really well, even without a heel. Who knew? So, that got me thinking: what if I just didn't add the heels?  I never thought a tube sock would actually fit nicely, but I genuinely like the fit, so...why spend time to add the heels? As the saying goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.... Let's say I decide not to add heels once the second sock is done - there will still be placeholder yarn for the afterthought heels, as you can see above, so should I leave it in and just weave in the ends? Or should I remove it, put the live stitches back on needles and at least graft them together using more of the Waterlilies yarn? I plan on mulling all of this over as I knit the second sock, and I'd love to hear your opinions of what you think would look best (or if you think this whole "n

Overdyeing A Finished Knit

Even after just a few years of knitting or crocheting, you're bound to have some finished projects lying around that never get worn or used. After 10+ years of crafting, I have more than just "some" or "a few"....and with my ongoing quest to declutter my house this year, I've become obsessed with going through these forlorn projects and making some Big Decisions. Sometimes, they are perfectly fine and just need a new and loving home. Other projects may have not turned out quite right: there might have been some mistakes in the knitting that I thought I could live with, or the yarn was gorgeous but not well-matched to the pattern, or my  taste has drastically changed since I finished making the project...in any case, why on earth did I keep knitting?! Who knows, but I don't feel good about gifting anything that falls into this category to someone else. These projects have been relegated to the "frog pile" (or should I say, frog pond?), to b