knit.purl Replaces knit.wear, and a Giveaway

Interweave/F+W has had a special issue magazine called knit.wear for a few years, and the magazine has evolved with its latest issue to have a new name and design with the same editorial team. knit.purl is what the magazine is called now, and it is edited by Lisa Shroyer, who also edits Interweave Knits.

“We’re updating some older elements, and keeping the most important ones,” she said in a news release about the change. “The packaging has changed a bit, but at the end of the day, this magazine is all about clean, contemporary, intriguing knitwear.”

I really enjoyed looking through the new issue, on newsstands now. It includes a roundup of great bulky knitting yarns, which are completely on-trend this season. There’s also a story about Jasmine Gonzalez, a student at San Francisco’s Academy of Art University, who presented a collection of hugely chunky sweaters and sewn pieces at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. And you’ll learn about a Navajo plying method that allows you to make a three-ply yarn as you’re knitting, so you can turn a lightweight yarn into something bulkier with ease, and go back and forth between chunky and thin in the same project with the same yarn. That one’s going to be cool to play with.

In addition there are 23 patterns for sweaters, hats, mitts and cowls to get you through the cold season. I love the Spiral Pullover, pictured on the cover and designed by Cathy Carron. The Ply List Sweater by Michelle Hunter plays with that plying technique, making bulkier stripes mixed in with single-ply stripes. Ashley Rao’s Plumage Pullover is a pretty tunic with cascading feather patterns, while the Pintuck Cardigan by Bristol Ivy uses a tiny detail to make a sophisticated design that much more interesting.

I may need to knit Alice Tang’s Asymmetric Hem Pullover right away; it combines ribbing and garter stitch with uneven row gauges and a pointed hem to make a bold look. On the accessory front I love the Tilting Fair Isle Mitts and Hat by Mary Gehling, which have short rows that tilt the bands of colrowork. Check out all the patterns for yourself on Ravelry.

I happen to have an extra copy of this magazine to give away, so if you’d like it, leave a comment on this post before the end of the day Sunday, October 12. Tell me which pattern you’d love to knit or what you’re most looking forward to knitting this fall and winter. (Congrats to winner Claire!)

Thanks for visiting, commenting and sharing and good luck!

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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