Knitty First Fall is Here, with a New Server

Everyone who has ever tried to visit Knitty on release day knows it can be an exercise in frustration. Pages are often excruciatingly slow to load, and when I write about the new issue I usually throw in a disclaimer to the effect that it’s often slow for the first couple of days.

First Fall went live yesterday, and it actually seemed to go off without a hitch. That’s because Knitty has a new and improved server that can take the heavy loads a lot better.

And this is an issue you’re going to want to check out, especially if you’re a bit of a geek, since Neil Gaiman is the cover model this time (he’s wearing the Baker Street scarf, featured in Joan of Dark’s really cool new book Geek Knits, which I should have a review of really soon).

Other fun projects include Nim Teasdale’s Dragon’s Breath cowl, a fun lacy project worked in a lovely gradient yarn; the casual, textured Jamestown pullover by Amy Christoffers, sure to be a favorite come fall; Allie Matthews’ Saint Remy pullover, a top down circular yoke sweater with colorwork inspired by Van Gogh; the gorgeous Nelina cardigan by Corrina Ferguson, which uses unconventional raglan-like construction and shows off a semisolid yarn beautifully; and the Knit-stitch Felted Tote by Carolyn Noyes, which uses colorwork and decorative embroidery to form a fabric that looks like giant knitting.

In addition to the patterns, you’ll find an article on weaving scarves and plenty of great reviews of books, Craftsy classes, products and more.

Anything from this issue hitting your queue? (I’m pretty smitten by Nelina, I have to say.) I’d love to hear about it!

[Photo by Kyle Cassidy via Knitty.]

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.

Next Pattern:

If you’re new to lace knitting or just aren’t sure how to incorporate the technique into garments, check out these tops and sweaters that use lace as a decorative element.

The easiest lace out there is eyelets, and you can practice them plenty with this eyelet covered sweater from Knitcro Addict. It uses light/DK weight yarn and is worked in four pieces knit flat. It’s intended to be a little cropped and a little oversized, and includes sizes XS to XXL in the pattern.

If you’re in parts of the world where it’s getting colder as you read this, the Nora sweater from Bummbul might be a good choice. This is actually a great one for learning lace because it’s worked in super bulky yarn, which makes it easier to see what you’re doing and makes the lace super graphic. This one just comes in one size, with a 42 inch (106) cm bust, but that could fit a variety of people depending on how much ease you like.

Minimi Knit Design has a cute allover lace cardigan worked in one piece from the bottom up. It’s worked in lace weight mohair held double, which maybe isn’t the best for those new to lace (because it can be hard to rip out) but it sure is pretty. Sizes range to fit from 30 to 66 inches/76 to 168 cm bust measurements.

If you’d rather not have lace all over your sweater, you can knit the Lumi sweater from Originally Lovely, which has a chevron lace pattern on the yoke and is otherwise worked in reverse stockinette stitch. (It’s worked inside out so you don’t have to purl every stitch.) The pattern has 9 sizes from XS to 5XL and uses worsted weight yarn.

Or try the super romantic sookie blouse from Trust the mojo (available on Ravelry). This sweet top is started working flat from the bottom up and has a V-neck and I-cord edgings. The sleeves are worked separately in the round, and the pieces are all joined together to work in one piece to finish off the top. It comes in eight sizes and is available in English and French.

You can also pair lacy sleeves with an otherwise plain top, like on the Starflower Wrap from Annelise Driscoll Gingrow. This intermediate pattern makes a wrap sweater with generous lacy sleeves and a double wrap belt. The pattern has nine sizes, from XS to 5XL, and is available for free from Hobbi.

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