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Giveaway-Knitting Ganseys, Revised and Updated: Techniques and Patterns for Traditional Sweaters

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Giveaway-Knitting Ganseys, Revised and Updated: Techniques and Patterns for Traditional Sweaters

Leave a comment in today’s post by November 15, 2018 and you are in the running for this classic style sweater knitting book.

Open to U. S. residents only please.

Originally released in 1993, Beth Brown-Reinsel’s bestseller, Knitting Ganseys, is a classic in the hearts of traditional and modern knitters alike, bringing this historic tradition to your needles for 25 years! This completely revised and update version of the perennial bestseller includes 100% new photography, new patterns, and more!

This special edition celebrates with new patterns for sweaters in the traditional gansey style as well as new explorations of modern gansey-inspired patterns. Full-color, step-by-step photography walks you through a variety of traditional gansey techniques and construction methods, plus contemporary sources for traditional gansey yarns are shared, making this as vital to your knitting library as the original.

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Comments

  2. I have been infatuated with Gansey sweaters ever since Fringe Association spotted the Daniel Day-Lewis sweater. My knitting group is considering knitting one as a group project. This book would be a great resource!

  6. I am planning to knit my first adult size sweater in a few months. I think this book would be very helpful. Thanks.

  7. Ganseys are my absolute favorite style to knit. Wearing some gansey-style socks today! This book has been on my wish list for a very long time. Thanks for doing this.

  8. This would be a lovely addition to my knotting books which consists of how to knot different stitches. Thank you for the opportunity.
    Lori

  9. I can’t tell if my comment is being posted

    Thank you for this lovely opportunity to add a garment book to my stitch knitting books

    Thank you
    Lori

  11. I would love to have this book. I am always looking for new designs/patterns for sweaters.

  14. To me, Gansey sweaters are virtually the ultimate knitted pieces. The elements of this sweater are unique to each knitter, and the results of this basic formula leave room for endless possibilities. I absolutely adore Gansey sweaters, and aspire to learn everything possible about them! As a fairly new knitter, I am acquiring daily skills, and MUST HAVE Beth Brown-Reisel’s ‘Knitting Gansey’s: Revised and Updated’ edition. Thanks for the giveaway!

  15. Ganseys would be a new adventure for me in knitting after all my years of projects. So wonderful to offer us this opportunity to learn and grow with our skills:)

  17. Next challenge is to knit a sweater. This book would be perfect! Pick me please!!

  19. I am just restarting my knitting hobby after a while off. This book would be excellent to restart, I started with sweaters the first time – I know, weird but the first thing I ever knit was a very large sweater. And these look amazing.

  25. This looks like an interesting book! I’ve only made one sweater so far, but I have a few on my list to make!

  27. My Irish husband has wanted a Gansey sweater- perfect opportunity to grant that wish!

  29. I’ve wanted to design a gansey for a while now. I found a good quantity of Jamieson yarn at a thrift shop which would be perfect. Because this book is more than just patterns, more like a master class really, it would be the best resource. Thanks for the giveaway.

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26 Clever Ways to Upcycle Your Old Sewing Machine Table or Parts

You know that old sewing machine table that’s been tucked in the garage or gathering dust in Grandma’s basement? Or maybe just the rusted machine head that no longer runs but still looks so cool? Before you haul it to the curb or let it sit for another decade, let’s talk about upcycling.

Vintage sewing machines and their charming tables are full of history, character, and surprisingly sturdy craftsmanship. And even if they’re no longer functional for stitching seams, they’ve got a whole second life waiting for them — as creative, practical, and totally stylish pieces for your home.

Over the years, crafters and DIYers have found the most brilliant ways to breathe new life into old sewing machines. We’re talking about transformations that are equal parts functional and fabulous — everything from home décor and garden pieces to furniture and quirky conversation starters.

Here’s what you’ll find in this roundup:

  • Tables turned into stunning bathroom vanities or hallway consoles.

  • Machine bases repurposed into plant stands, bar carts, or kitchen islands.

  • Sewing machine drawers used as rustic organizers, shelves, or even planters.

  • Beautiful vintage machines displayed as art pieces or turned into lamp bases.

  • And plenty of ideas that combine that charming antique style with modern functionality.

 

DIY Earring Holder – Jewelry Display – Birdz of a Feather 

Vintage Inspired DIY Craft Table Idea – Reinvented Delaware 

Vintage sewing machines in the garden / Recycle Art 

How to Turn an Old Sewing Machine Into Book Ends With a Twist

Upcycled Antique Sewing Machine Top – Prodigal Pieces

Singer Sewing Machine 

How to Repurpose a Sewing Machine Table – Girl in the Garage® 

How to upcycle a vintage sewing machine cabinet – Quilt Addicts Anonymous

Antique Sewing Machine Drawer Upcycle – The Navage Patch 

Repurposed Vintage Sewing Machine Drawer Organizer – Lora Bloomquist~Create & Ponder 

Upcycled Vintage Sewing Machine Drawers – The House on Silverado 

https://www.instructables.com/Bookends-With-an-Old-Sewing-Machine 

Old Sewing Table Idea: Turn it into a Bevarage Station | 

Antique Sewing Machine Table via KnickofTime.net

Repurposed Sewing Table upcycled into a desk – The DIY Dreamer 

10+ Ways to Use Vintage Sewing Machine Drawers in Home Decor

Upcycled Vintage Sewing Machine Drawers – Scavenger Chic

Repurposed Antique Sewing Machine

Redo It Yourself Inspirations : Treadle Sewing Machine Upcycle 

ForFunk: I upcycled our old Singer Sewing Machine 

Sewing Machine Table Upcycled – Prodigal Pieces

Vintage Inspired DIY Craft Table Idea – Reinvented Delaware 

 Vintage Sewing Machine to Bar Cart 

 Vintage Sewing Machine Table Makeover without Refinishing

How to Repurpose an Antique Sewing Machine into an Edison Lamp  

Reclaimed Barn Wood Entry Table – Metal & Woodworking How to

Some of these projects are quick weekend wins, while others might take a bit of sanding, painting, or power-tooling. But every single one will leave you with something way cooler than anything you’d buy new at a furniture store.

The best part? You’re not just saving money or decorating your space — you’re preserving a little slice of craftsmanship from a time when things were built to last. Those heavy iron bases and well-worn wooden tables hold stories, and it’s so satisfying to give them a fresh chapter.

Whether your vibe is farmhouse rustic, industrial vintage, or cozy cottagecore, these sewing machine upcycles are a beautiful blend of nostalgia and creativity.

So before you toss out that old treadle machine or leave those drawers in a donation box, scroll through this list. You might just find the perfect DIY that’ll make you fall in love with your sewing machine all over again — even if it never threads a needle again.

 

 

How to Clean and Prep a Wrought Iron Sewing Machine Base for Painting

So you’ve got a gorgeous old sewing machine base — full of vintage charm and scrollwork — but it’s covered in rust, grime, or layers of old paint. Before you can give it a fresh coat of your favorite color, it needs a little TLC. Here’s how to get it clean and prepped for painting without too much fuss.

Step 1: Remove Loose Rust and Paint

Start by brushing off all the loose rust, dirt, or peeling paint with a stiff wire brush. You can find these at any hardware store, or even use a drill with a wire brush attachment for quicker results.

Tip: Wear safety goggles and gloves — it gets messy!

Step 2: Degrease and Clean

Use a degreasing cleaner (like Simple Green or dish soap and warm water) and a sponge or rag to scrub the entire base. Old bases often have years of oil and dust buildup, especially in the corners and crevices.

Rinse it off well and let it dry completely before moving on. You don’t want to trap moisture under the paint.

Step 3: Tackle Stubborn Rust

If some rusty areas are being stubborn, apply a rust remover or rust dissolver (like Evapo-Rust or a naval jelly product). Follow the instructions on the product, and use a wire brush or steel wool to scrub again afterward.

Alternatively, a mix of white vinegar and baking soda can be used as a natural rust-fighting soak for small parts or for dabbing on problem areas.

Step 4: Sand for Smoothness

Once the rust is gone and the surface is dry, give the whole piece a quick sand with medium-grit sandpaper (80–120 grit) to rough it up slightly and help the paint adhere better. Focus especially on any bumpy or flaky spots.

Wipe everything down with a damp cloth to remove the dust afterward.

Step 5: Prime (Optional, But Recommended)

For best results and long-lasting paint, apply a metal primer — especially one labeled for rust prevention. Spray primers are quick and easy, but brush-on primers work well too if you’re covering detailed scrollwork.

Let the primer dry fully before painting.

Step 6: Paint It!

Now you’re ready to paint! Use a spray paint designed for metal for the smoothest finish, or brush on chalk paint or enamel for a more rustic or farmhouse look.

Let the paint dry between coats and finish with a clear sealant if it’s going to be used outdoors.

And that’s it — your beautiful wrought iron base is ready for its new life, whether it becomes a vanity, console table, planter stand, or something totally unexpected.