Knitting

Patterns, projects and techniques

Knitting Daily is Live

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[tag]Interweave Knits[/tag] [tag]Knitting Daily[/tag] is live. The site is fresh and interesting looking. The Editor, [tag]Sandi Wiseheart[/tag], is interested, for now it seems, in getting the opinion of the knitters as to what they want in patterns and designs.

As the PR page states: More informative than columns, more fun than posts, more technical than blogs, these thrice-weekly offerings are an interactive invitation to come on in and knit a spell. It’s all that you’d expect from Interweave Press, and just a wee bit more.

One Survey was to tell her what was the perfect sock pattern. The results showed that according to the Sock Survey the perfect sock pattern would be:

  • Worked from the cuff down (70% of the votes);
  • For a woman (46%);
  • Designed in a textured (but not cabled) stitch pattern (22%);
  • Worked on 5 dpns (37%); and
  • Suitable for a variegated or handpainted yarn (36%).

If this survey is used, the perfect pattern should show up soon at Knitting Daily.

I checked out the free pattern library and noticed that it contains all the online and free patterns from Interweave Knits, [tag]Interweave Crochet[/tag] and [tag]Knitscene[/tag]. Currently the library contains 65 patterns. There is also a stitch guide containing very detailed graphics and good explanations of how to perform the stitch. The graphics are LARGE – love it as I can actually see them clearly!

It seems one of the best magazines for our hobby has built a good internet magazine. Lets hope it continues to grow and thrive and maintain the current focus – knitters!

Next Pattern:

Have you read?

Knit a Spiky Balaclava

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]