Knitting

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knit.purl Replaces knit.wear, and a Giveaway

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Check out knit.purl and enter to win a copy.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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Free Knitted Crown Pattern for Kids and Adults: A Sweet Handmade Dress-Up Idea

There’s something wonderfully charming about a knitted crown. It’s playful, useful for the dress-up basket, and just the sort of small project that gives a leftover ball of yarn a proper purpose. Much better than letting it roll around the cupboard for another three years.

This free knitted crown pattern for kids and adults combines a simple garter-stitch band with shaped triangular points. The mustard-gold colour gives it that storybook crown look, although pink, purple or woodland green would be equally lovely.

A Manageable Next Step for Beginner Knitters

The construction is the appealing part of this design. Everything is knitted flat, so you won’t need double-pointed needles or experience joining stitches in the round.

You knit the band first, then work each crown point separately over a group of 12 stitches. Paired decreases gradually narrow each triangle, giving you a small, repeatable section to concentrate on.

I’d describe this as a confident beginner knitting project. You’ll need to know how to knit, work two types of decreases, hold unused stitches and sew a simple seam. There are several yarn tails to weave in, so a little patience with finishing will help.

Three Sizes With Room to Personalise

The pattern includes three sizes, with seven, eight or nine crown points. Choose by the wearer’s head measurement rather than age, and check your gauge carefully. Yarn stretch will make a noticeable difference to the fit.

For birthdays, an embroidered initial would be a sweet finishing touch. Contrasting yarn diamonds could suggest little jewels without adding hard embellishments.

What to Know Before Casting On

This is a soft knitted crown, so expect gentle points rather than a rigid costume accessory. A springy wool or wool-blend yarn should give the shaping more support than a very drapey yarn.

The stitch calculations have been checked, but the design has not yet been sample-knitted. The accompanying image is an illustrative mockup, so the finished texture and proportions may vary with your yarn and tension.

For a small handmade birthday accessory or a cheerful addition to the dress-up box, this is an appealing idea. And if an adult needs a matching crown for supervising the royal household, the larger size has that covered too.