Mick knows exactly what I'm like, it was him who had seen the advert for Big & Little Knitting Projects For You & Your Family on tv and had alerted me to the fact that there was a new craft magazine out.
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This first issue is £1.99 and comes with a pair of 10mm knitting needles and a 50g ball of cream acrylic yarn. The regular price for future issues will be £4.99.
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It's a bit different to other magazines in that it's not actually a magazine but a book. Each book in the collection seems to focus on one particular topic, issue 1 is Contemporary Cushions and others in the series are Gifts For Babies, Cosy Hats & Scarves, Christmas Knits and Snug Socks & Slippers amongst others. There's some nice projects in this first issue and they're aimed at both beginners and advanced knitters.
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I particularly like this Jewel Box Bolster.
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There's also instructions to help you master new stitches and techniques, as well as covering the basics to help you brush up your knowledge.
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As with most of these type of publications, there's a project which builds up issue by issue. This one is a chunky knit throw. Each issue comes with a ball of yarn with which to knit one square in the throw. Each square is a different stitch, so it will help you to learn new skills. The square in this issue is Double Moss Stitch and the full instructions for it are given.
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Big & Little Knitting Projects is published fortnightly at £4.99 and the full collection spans over 60 issues, quite a financial commitment. I won't be buying it every fortnight, but I do like how each book covers one particular topic, allowing you to pick and choose which ones interest you. I think all knitters could find a particular issue which interests them. I quite fancy the Christmas Knits and the Snug Socks & Slippers.
I'm like you and have bought way too many magazines in the past, but it does look interesting. I've just put my knitting down so I could check my email for a removal quote. Good night and take care.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind trying these new publications when they're on offer, but I think magazines on the whole are really expensive, you can nearly buy a book for the same price. Hope you got a good quote.
DeleteI think running a magazine is book-like sections sounds like a really good idea. I may well keep an eye on the topics and pick up a few as they come round. Better than committing to £10 a month for the next 2.5 years!
ReplyDeleteI really like the format of this publication, it allows you to buy the topics which interest you and miss the ones which don't. £10 a month is a big commitment.
DeleteJo I'm so so so so jealous!
ReplyDeleteAnd I don't even knit! I love craft magazines, but I'm like you, I look at the price and go "EEK"... It's super hard because one of my local craft stores has started selling British craft magazines, but because they are imported, they are super expensive.
Oh and just as I was reading about your Photography class, I got a groupon email for one as well! I don't have a nice enough camera right now, but it's a small world... first you go on one, then I see an advertisement for one!!
The weekend is coming... :)
Have a great one,
Tammy x
I think publishers have cottoned on to the fact that crafts of all kinds are making a comeback and are hugely popular, there's more and more craft magazines flooding the market at the moment. What a coincidence that you got an offer from Groupon for a photography class too. It's the first thing I've ever bought from the site, but I was impressed with the course itself and by Groupon.
DeleteYou and your magazines...! Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteI know, I know, the title of this post is so true.
DeleteWhen one likes all things crafty, it's extremely hard to limit craft magazine buying. I try and stick to just one magazine a month,but every now and then I just see something that I just have to make - there's another £4.99 spent! They aren't cheap are they?!
ReplyDeleteI'm finiding it easier to resist magazines now because I get lots of inspiration from blogs, but there's odd ones, or new ones, or something which catches my eye, and I just have to buy it. Never mind, there are worse things I could spend my money on.
DeleteThe advert caught my eye too. I think the offer is a good price for some inspiration. I look forward to seeing your latest projects! Jx
ReplyDeleteThe offer is a good price, but I wouldn't like to sign up for £4.99 each fortnight, it's a bit excessive. There's odd issues I wouldn't mind having though.
DeleteA quite like the idea of a chunky knit throw with different stitches. Might be a future project for me as it will use up some of my stash.
ReplyDeleteLove from Mum
xx
I like that idea too, though I wouldn't pay near on £300 in order to make one. I'm sure we could come up with something ourselves involving different stitches.
DeleteOoh I need no temptation as I have been avoiding magazines because they are so expensive and like you find blogs and pinterest inspiring. Do miss an actual page though x
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean, pages are so tactile. I keep thinking I could come round to a Kindle, but I'd miss the actual feel of books.
DeleteI'll look out for that one Jo, worth it just for the wool alone the first installment.My mum usually looks out for those type of things for me but she is quite poorly at the moment so wont have been to the supermarket.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear that you're mum's poorly, I hope she feels better soon. There's some lovely patterns for cushions in it, I've made crochet ones but not knitted ones so I think I'll give a couple a go.
DeleteI'm so used to not setting foot in the magazine aisles these days that I never even think of buying magazines any more. If you'd told me that would happen when I made up my mind in January not to buy any mags this year, I'd have laughed out loud.
ReplyDeleteThis one is a wee bit different, though. It's more like a book than a magazine so I might have a look at the Christmas knits one when it comes out ... if I remember to go into the magazine aisle, of course! :oD
Now if only they'd stop advertising these magazines, we might stand a chance. You're right though, more like a book than a magazine so we can both be let off buying it.
DeleteThat looks like a lovely magazine. I think it was worth it for the introductory issue at such a low price! But I understand, I rarely buy any magazines either. I have a subscription to one which I really like, Sunset, which is a general home/recipes/gardening-type magazine, and I do have a subscription to Interweave Crochet, which was a Christmas present from my husband last year, but the really fancy crafty ones are always so tempting.
ReplyDeleteThere's so many craft magazines out now that I could spend a fortune. This publication is a bit different to others though, I like the fact that you can pick and choose the topic of patterns you want and I may even buy the ones I'm interested in at the full price.
DeleteHi Jo - oh no, will need to look out for this mag!! I always have to resist buying crafty mags although I always have a good rummage!! Good value this one though - thanks :-) x
ReplyDeleteIt's very tempting, isn't it? I try to stay away from the magazine aisle as it's hard to resist popping one in the trolley if I see something I like, but I don't mind at this price.
DeleteHi Jo,
ReplyDeletesaw this advertised on the TV last night. I'm very tempted by the throw just a shame you'd have to buy all the copies in order to complete it, but then I suppose that's how they make their money by getting you hooked...
I think you'd be able to make a similar throw without buying the magazine. A good book would have plenty off different stitches in and the yarn would cost nowhere near what you'd pay for this full series. It does look lovely though.
DeleteI saw this one advertised on the television too. It's a good idea to buy a promotional publication with freebies at a cheap price even if you don't get it every fortnight/month. Crafting has become very popular and we're spoilt for choice now with knit and chat, crochet, card making groups etc. I like to go to craft fairs even if I don't do crafts myself.
ReplyDeleteWe are spoilt for choice. I think the publishers are aware of how popular crafts have become over the last few years, they certainly seem to be cashing in on it. I like the idea behind this publication though, it's a little bit different from the others on the shelf.
DeleteI often how many people keep purchasing all the way to the end when these things are published.
ReplyDeleteHappy knitting Jo
I can't imagine that many people will collect the whole series, especially when there's so many craft magazines to choose from and also the price of the whole collection. I think this particular publication is quite good though, you can buy the topics you're interested in and not bother with the ones you're not.
DeleteI have seen the commercial for this series, like Annie I wonder if anyone does buy all of them. Expensive blanket! One of my boys wanted to do a chess set for Lord of the rings or something and it was going to cost a ridiculous amount in the end so they never even started it.
ReplyDeleteI think that some people must buy the whole series or else they wouldn't publish them, but I bet it isn't many. It ends up costing a fortune to complete a project.
DeleteHi just found your blog. Off work ill today with stinking cold and don't feel well enough to knit. Confession! I am one of those few who persevere to end! Have 3 issues left to complete. Not even started throw though. Not enough time as I work full time and I am constantly knitting for every one else. My work friends think I'm mad cos I try to buy every knitting and crochet mag going and it costs me a fortune! Hubby doesn't mind though and he even looks round for me. Have collected a few partworks to completion. They are difficult to get after first few issues though and you need to subscribe or have a good newsagent to order for you ! A lot won't as people get fed up and leave them on the newsagents hands. Just started new one Simple , Stylish , Kniiting. I love getting them every week and my spare bedroom is absolutely rammed with mags, books and yarn.! Praying for retirement so I can do all I want (or a lottery win!)10 long years left yet! Have encouraged quite a few lapsed and non knitters in work to take it up and last year we raised £1,400 between 4 of us knitting owls for our chosen charities in work. This was done over about 4 months and I lost count of how many I did myself. Very rewarding though. Will follow now I've found you . Never followed blog before. Looking forward to it . Many Thanks
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear you're ill, I do hope you're feeling a little better after spending a day looking after yourself. I don't know anyone else who's bought a whole series of these publications but if you enjoy them then why not. My latest post is about Simple Stylish Knitting, I've succumbed to the first issue but I probably won't buy any more, I tend to buy the first one or two issues for the free gifts and then don't bother again. What a great achievement raising such a lot of money for charity. It's great how crafters can do so much good through their hobbies. I'm so pleased you're going to follow along and what about starting a blog yourself so that you can show off some of your makes? I'd love to see what you're up to with your knitting.
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