Winter 2013 Knitty & Another Pattern Special!

Have you seen the latest Winter edition of Knitty? As usual it's packed full of interesting and creative projects to knit. This issue has many great designs, but I have to say I'm most intrigued with three of them, including the Wraptor Sock, Lempster pullover and Plaid Collar. 

Jeny Staiman, perhaps best known as the creator of Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-Off (which I've used in my next pattern about to be released), has combined the ideas of knitting socks on the bias with self-striping yarn to create a simple design that looks great. 

The designer readily admits it is not the most stretchy of socks, but that once on, it fits well. I love the idea of turning the traditional striped sock on it's head, or at least on a slant, so to speak. 

Norah Gaughan has some fantastic designs featuring central motifs and Lempster (also featured in the first photo at the top of the post) is no exception.

The pullover is worked from the top down making the fit more adjustable as you knit - love that.

The pattern that most intrigued me is one of the simplest, Franklin Habit's Plaid Collar. Franklin, a cartoonist, is also known for his updates of vintage designs, and this time around he's taken a little-known vintage stitch and featured it in a cowl.  

Although the plaid design looks complex, it's really a very simple technique based on garter stitch. What a fun way to combine colors and leftover yarns from other projects! 

These projects will have to wait until after the new year to find a place on my needles. I'm currently knitting a few gifts including fingerless mitts and another accessory that I'll be able to show soon. How about you? Are there any holiday gifts on your hooks and needles? 

Pattern Sale!
In case you are trying to choose a knitting project for a sister, friend, mom or other special person, I'm offering a 50% savings on my Katriel shawlette pattern from now through Saturday, December 14th. 
  

This little shawlette is a quick, stash-busting knit using two colors of fingering weight yarn. Or, go for a semi-solid or hand-dyed central triangle with an accent color eyelet row. It's a pretty simple canvas for your creativity. There is no coupon necessary, the 50% savings will be applied at check-out. 

Thanks for stopping by today, I hope you have a wonderful week and I wish you much happy stitching! 



photos: knitty.com 

Who's got the button?

My gray tweed cardigan is finally blocked and dry and I have to decide on just the right button.  As this is a one-button closure the right button choice can really make the sweater.

I had in mind pewter metallic or solid black, so I dug through my stash to see what I have. 

Turns out, not much that will work.  What I have on hand are some fussy, vintage black glass (totally not right for this simple style), and some carved bone brown/ black ones (a little better, but maybe too organic).   I'm totally open to ideas, so any suggestions or links appreciated. 

I'll have FO photos and a full run-down on this project once I find a great button!

 

It's always fun when a new Knitty comes out, and this Winter issue includes an interesting variety of designs with a pretty fair balance of sweaters and accessories (photos from Knitty.com).

I especially love Heather Desserud's Chrysanthemums, a Norwegian stranded mitten design, and all the other nice color work projects in this issue. 

 

 

Sock lovers will be intrigued with the architectural Maeva, by Stefanie Bold, with it's Art Deco-ish cables and ribs.  An appealing design for both men and women I think.

Winter 2011 has lots of sweaters to love including Teva Durham's lacy  Lady Lovelace cardigan and capelet set, Kathleen Dames' Turn of the Glass fitted cardigan and Karina Liu's Jacqueline collared jacket. 

Knittyspin's  simple, trendy earflap hat Southern Lights, by Christine McCormick, might be good for my husband who stands at a cold bus stop every morning.  

Speaking of spinning, so far I am making good on my goals for 2011 by spinning a little bit every week.

This 4 pound batch of natural beige Louet Coopworth roving will take me forever!  

Although beautiful, this fiber may not be completely spun and ready to knit until winter 2012...  I might have to intersperse some more lively rovings in between now and then to keep me motivated.   Goodness knows I have plenty in my stash.

Have a fun, safe weekend and as always, peace, blessings and happy knitting to you!

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!