A Peek at Knitty First Fall

I’m not anywhere near thinking about fall yet, but the good news is that Knitty’s First Fall edition isn’t really thinking about fall that much, either. This is a collection that’s abut seasonal transitions, so if it’s still feeling springlike where you are these patterns would be great for that, too, and there are certainly things here you can knit, wear, use and enjoy throughout the year.

Like a lot of people I’m sure, I’m in love with the “cover” pattern this time around. Indigo Cones is a lacy short-sleeved cardigan worked in a cotton/linen blend that’s actually perfect for summer. Aileen Ryder designed it to have lots of negative ease because it’s only fastened at the top neck and flutters over whatever size body is underneath.

Mone Dräger’s Hidden Gusset Mitts are lovely as well, with a rib stitch that goes up the thumb, as the title suggests, hiding the gusset for the thumb. These would be great to wear in a cold office in the summertime.

The Jasseron pullover by Becky Wolf is another one that caught my eye because I’m a sucker for a good raglan. This one has a plain body and contrasting lacy sleeves that I just love.

And then, of course, there’s I Can Knit a Rainbow by Natty Knits. It’s a plush rainbow with some fun knitting skills worked it. I’m sure it’s supposed to be for a kid — and my rainbow-loving child is going to have to have one of these — but I’d like one for the bookshelf in my office, too.

In addition to the patterns, Franklin Habit teaches us a bit about the history of knitting flowers and offers a knit boutonniere and Donna Druchunas offers a look at Egyptian knitting, among other fun stuff.

See anything that catches your eye? I’d love to hear about it!

Looking for knitting patterns for knitted Cardigans? Check out these Knitting patterns we found on Etsy.

Looking for pullover and sweater patterns? Check these books out.

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You probably know by now if you’re a regular reader (and if you’re not, welcome!) that I love a knitting pattern that’s a little silly or a little different from the usual. Classic patterns are great, too, but sometimes you just want to make something with a bit of whimsy. And when it’s super functional, too, that’s even better.

That’s the case with the Bananen-Socken pattern from Susanne Shahin. These banana socks are one of those patterns no one seems to be totally sure where it came from, and this free pattern on Ravelry explains how she makes them based on how she learned it.

It’s a sock that’s curved and when not on a foot it looks rather like a banana. There’s no heel, and you can use whatever number of stitches you need to make it fit your foot. If you’ve knit enough socks to know how many stitches you like you can just use that number, or the pattern notes include sizing charts to help. (It needs to be multiples of 2 for the ribbing.)

After working a traditional cuff, the body is made with ribbing on the back and welts (or what the pattern calls horizontal ribbing) on the front, which is what gives it the curved shape. There’s no heel, but there is toe shaping, but for the leg and the foot you just keep working the same pattern as long as you like.

I’m a little skeptical about how these socks will feel with ribbing on the bottom of the foot, but I’m definitely intrigued and will probably give them a try.

The pattern notes are available on Ravelry in English, German, French, Italian and Spanish. If you head to the pattern page you can see a photo of what it looks like on a foot, and it just looks like a normal sock.

Have you ever knit banana socks or do you want to now? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

[Photo: Susanne Shahin]

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