Remember the book that I talked about back in this post, and the contest that publisher Harper Collins was having to win a hamper full of crafty goodies in time for the holidays?
The winning image was chosen from entries that were submitted via Instagram and Twitter and Harper Collings made their announcement over the weekend:
I think the winning snap is genius – the blue lights from the London eye remind me of the flames that burn off the pudding! A quick search of the contest hashtag #ChristmasKnitOff showed that lots of people were getting creative with the Christmas puds!
My own was knit with Jamieson’s that I stuffed with lavender – thinking it would be a lovely little something to store in amongst my yarn after the contest was over. Of course, after the pudding being paparazzi’d everywhere I’m now thinking that I should have stuffed it with some Christmas spices (to make it smell like a real Christmas pudding, of course!) and added a loop to hang it from the tree. Oh well, the kids were quite taken with it so maybe I’ll do that with the ones I’m knitting for them!
The book itself is an enjoyable, fun read. I was also relieved to discover that my namesake in the book is a keen knitter…! But I’m not revealing any more than that, save that I’d love the opportunity to visit Hettie’s House of Haberdashery in real life. The Great Christmas Knit Off was nice and light, and perfect for curling up with over the holidays once all the hullaballoo has died down. Alexandra Brown, the author, has said that there will be more craft-themed books to follow this one, which is great news.
If you haven’t had had time to read the book yet, now’s your chance to win a copy – autographed by Alex too! Please leave a comment on this blog post with your favourite Christmas tradition that you’re most looking forward to this year. Be quick though – this contest is only open for 24 hours and will end at 10:59am GMT on Tuesday, 16 December. I’ll draw the winner and notify them right away so that I can get the prize in the post. No guarantees that it will make it to you before Christmas though!
PS – Alex – it was an honour to introduce you to Ravelry.
INSPIRATION KNITS 
Leaving a mince pie and glass of sherry (shows my age) by the fire place on Christmas Eve for Santa.
Having all the holiday crackers ready so everyone can wear the paper hats during dinner. Always makes us laugh and remember family no longer with us. Cheers !
We alway have pavlova as part of our Christmas dessert- we are in the Southern Hemisphere after all.
Waffles with summer fruits and cream for breakfast! naughty but a lovely treat before opening the pressies
We drive to a neighborhood near my parents to see the Christmas lights. Everyone in the neighborhood has lights and decorations. We now have four generations enjoying the lights
Baking sausage rolls and mince pies for the family
Being a “sous chef” for my 14 year old while he makes a gingerbread house from scratch.
Since having my own home, I’ve been developing new traditions and the ones I love the most are mulled wine on Christmas Eve and baking gingerbread biscuits.
Starting a new project on Christmas Day either with any new yarn I’ve been lucky to have been bought or one that I’d had to put off starting due to all the crazy gift knitting! ♥
I’ve just done the draw using random.org….and congratulations you’ve won the book! I’m glad your comment is a tradition to do with knitting – that made me laugh. Perfect. Please email me (or pm me on Ravelry) with your address.
Thank you to everyone else who entered. I loved reading about all your wonderful traditions…lots of things to make the days special.
Thank you Louise, I’ve PM’d you ❤️🐰