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.

Even more than normal this year I’ve been trying to use yarn that I already have. I’m doing lots of odd ball projects, scrappy things and small projects, but it’s also nice sometimes to be able to use a whole skein, and just a single skein, on a project for yourself or for a gift.

The Sunburst Shawl by Jem Arrowsmith is a great option if you have a single skein of sock yarn (100 grams or 400-425 meters, which is around 437 to 465 yards) that you don’t want to make socks out of.

The design includes a section of stockinette with blocks of simple lace mesh offset to make a zig-zag design across the shawl that looks sort of like the rays on a drawing of the sun.

The lace is just yarn over, knit 2 together repeating, so this would be a great first lace knitting project if you haven’t tried that before. The designer also has a video tutorial on their website if you need more help with the technique.

You can use any sock yarn you have on hand, but this one is especially fun with the brightly colored, variegated, speckly and sparkly yarns that you might not otherwise know what to do with. The solid section lets the colors play uninterrupted, while the lace part adds a bit of texture and gives a different look to the yarn.

This asymmetrical triangle shawl measures about 73 inches or 185 cm in wingspan and is 18 inches/45.5 cm deep.

There are several completed projects on Ravelry already so you can see who the design looks in different colors and types of yarn, from self stripping to more solid and tonal options.

The pattern is available for free on Ravelry (note: on the designer’s website it says the pattern is free through Aug. 31, 2026, so I’m not sure if it will be free after that on Ravelry), and if you don’t happen to have the perfect skein of yarn to make this project, the designer also offers kits on their website that include the yarn, pattern and a stitch marker.

[Photo: Jem Arrowsmith]

Have you read?