Seasons of Knitting

Can it possibly be September already?  Wasn't it just New Year's Day?

I can't say I have kept up with my 2011 New Year's goals of monthly crocheting and weekly spinning (although I have done both more or less regularly this year).    

One New Year's goal, that I have accomplished, however, was to adapt and create a few knitting stitch patterns, in the sense that I have not seen these stitches published in this precise fashion anywhere yet. Of course as EZ said (sort of), is there really anything new in knitting?  I like her notion of "unventing."

The photo at the top of this post shows some of my work in a favorite swatching wool, Cascade 220.  The photo below, from my last post, shows a stack of swatches.

Of course, that's all I can show for now, the details are under wraps until the patterns are ready to be test knit and published.

This inspired some of my swatching. 

 
As did this.

Today, September 1st, marks the first day of meteorological autumn, and the signs of the season are already making an appearance.  

If you're in the Midwest, mark your calendars for a fun fall experience - A Wool Gathering, Sept. 17-18, in Yellow Springs, Ohio.

With the coming of fall I turn my thoughts to what to gift knit this year.  I plan to do a few knit/ crochet/ handspun items for deserving people (those that comprehend the amount of time and love a handmade gift requires), including home decor projects made from squares based on my Northwoods Coasters pattern for Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts 2011 issue.  More details on that pattern in an upcoming post.

I also have in mind some new designs that would make ideal gifts, so those'll be put together for publication soon I think.  It will be the holidays - and New Year's - before we know it!

Interweave Knits Pattern - Northwoods Coasters

With Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts 2011 special issue about to be released and the pattern preview posted on the website, I can finally share news about a pattern I designed for this issue - the Northwoods Coasters squares!

Although I've had print and downloadable patterns available for some time, this is my first magazine design and I was thrilled to work with such wonderful people at Interweave Knits.

This issue is packed with gorgeous patterns to get started on your holiday knitting. 

The Northwoods pattern is included in the 'Log Cabin Knits' story theme, and makes a nice  project to cozy up your winter tabletop, or as a set for a quick but thoughtful gift. 

These easy short row squares are knit all in one piece from very small amounts of yarn.  The squares make wonderful drinks or mug coasters, but might also be cute (perhaps made with leftover project yarn) pieced together for sofa pillows, table runners or even blankets.  

I'll do a proper post with more photos, information and details about the pattern soon. Holiday Gifts 2011 will officially be on newsstands September 6th, so check your LYS or local bookstore for it, and you can see the full issue or pre-order it on the Interweave website here.

With dozens of gorgeous patterns for knitting and gifting included, this issue is a terrific value, and will certainly be one of those 'keepers'.  

Magazine cover and mug photos courtesy of Interweaveknits.com

Knitting Giftables & Review - Vogue Knitting Holiday 2010

 

A blog I saw recently had a counter with a large, blinking number '40' - as in 40 days until Christmas! Suddenly the newspapers are full of toy ads and I already know every word to "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" just from one trip to the grocery store.

I guess it's time to put on my Santa hat and get into full gifting mode.
 

 

Oh, and if you like vintage clip art graphics like this one, I recommend the Graphics Fairy's cool site.

I've been squirreling away completed projects all year, but there are still one or two things I want to make, and I thought I'd share some ideas for fast, giftable items (all photos to follow not mine, see source links). 

 

Gudrun Johnston's Shetland Shorty shrug from Knitty.com is sweet, simple and uses popular fingering-weight yarn.

 

 

My Estonian blogging friend Anna has some beautiful patterns for download on Ravelry (her username is Kuduja), including this lace shawl Sivilla.

Shawls and wraps make great gifts as they're very popular in current fashion trends, practical and useful items, and you don't have to worry about sizing for the recipient.  

Now might be a good opportunity to try cabling if you've never done so.  It's a lot easier than you might think!  You can't go wrong with Knitty.com's classic Fetching cabled mitts by Cheryl Niamath, 

 

or it's more male-oriented version, Dashing.

I love that fingerless mitts let you to keep your hands warm while driving, and still have a firm grip on the steering wheel. And these make perfect gifts for teens or anyone who does a lot of texting.

For a super fast option, you might consider a very easy pattern I knitted for my husband last year, Ysolda Teague's Garter Stitch Mitts (seen photo at the top of this post).  My husband works at a computer in a chilly office building and he loves these for on-the-job warmth.

If lace is more your thing I (cough, cough) recommend my Greyhaven cowl, 

or for a super speedy project, the Lavande neckwarmer.

Both are easy introductions to lace knitting. 

And it wouldn't be the holidays without all the knitting magazines' special editions, including Vogue Knitting's recent Holiday 2010 issue.

 
This issue is a mix of styles, but I'd say on the whole, Vogue played it safe, rather than daring, with this one.

There does seem to be a little something for most tastes, albeit items more complicated to make than those discussed above and more likely to be worn by you for holiday revelry.  If you've already completed your gift preparations, maybe a little reward to yourself is in order?

The flowing lines of Mari Tobita's "Raindrops" dress are simple and flattering. 

Norah Gaughan's classic cabled yoke turtleneck is gorgeous in lush angora-blend tweed.

Several smaller items including a leaf lace capelet,

 

and a selection of delicate, traditional lace scarves could serve as gifts or festive accessories, depending on yarn choices.

For more everyday-type wear, Wayne's slouchy mohair stripe pullover.

By the way, according to their website, all of Vogue Knitting's patterns are on sale for $2.99 each now through November 19th. 

I hope this gets your creative juices flowing whether making something smashing for yourself, or a nice gift for someone else.  More gift ideas, reviews, and holiday recipes  coming soon!