Check Out Cooperative Press’ Knit Edge

Shannon Okey, better known to some as KnitGrrl and the mastermind behind indie fiber publisher Cooperative Press, one spent some time knitting a British knitting magazine. Since she left that publication to start the Press, she says people have been telling her they miss the work she did there, providing fun patterns and techniques that were not just for beginners but offered a challenge to more seasoned knitters, too, or at least something they hadn’t seen before.

Okey has now started a digital knitting magazine called Knit Edge, which premiered at TNNA last month. I took a look at “issue zero” and think it’s a sign of good things to come.

The sample issue has an article by double-knitting pro Alasdair Post-Quinn about a recent design of his — a scarf knit with images of a deck of cards — as well as a look at top-down sock knitting from Kate Atherley and an overview of podcasts by Heather Ovdover. Four patterns are included: a bulky lace and cable cowl, a colorful felted yoked pullover, a short-sleeved cardigan and a pair of fingerless gloves.

The first issue, which is a PDF, can be purchased for $3.99. Subscriptions are now available for the PDF version of the magazine, which will launch issue 1 in September. A year’s subscription is $14.99. You can also purchase a recurring single-issue subscription for $5.99 an issue. This is the choice for people who would rather read the magazine in app form rather than PDF (the app is not ready yet).

[Photo by Knit Edge/Cooperative Press.]

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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Not too long ago my daughter and I had a discussion about what a chestnut really looks like. The nut itself is small and brown, of course, but on the tree they’re covered with this weird kind of spiky, kind of fuzzy shell. It’s a wonder anyone ever figured out they were edible.

If you didn’t know that, you might wonder why this project is call Chestnut balaclava, but now you know.

This fun design from Yevheniia Pyroh is covered with spikes just like a chestnut shell, and is even the same color, though of course you can make yours whatever color you like. It uses two strands of fingering weight yarn held together (which it says is fingering weight but you could try a light/DK yarn and see if you get gauge with it if you’d rather).

There are two different design options in the pattern. One is a more fitted balaclava style hat (it doesn’t cover the face but does go around the neck) and a looser fit hood.

It’s worked primarily in garter stitch, with shaping done by knitting and purling in the same stitch and through various decreases (including a knit 3 together).

The pattern is charted but also explained in words. It’s worked flat to the size you want, and then joined into a hood shape with ribbing at the neck. The opening for the face is finished with I-cord.

This hood/balaclava would definitely be a conversation starter and in different colors it might read more dinosaur than chestnut, which could also be fun. The sizing is totally custom so you can make it fit whatever head you’re stitching for.

If you want to try it for yourself (and I’d love to hear about it if you do!) you can download the free pattern from Ravelry.

[Photo: Yevheniia Pyroh]

Balaclava Knitting Patterns

Colorwork Balaclava Knitting Pattern [Knitting]

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