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.

One knit item for back to school that students can actually use is a knit pencil case. Especially if they are tightly knit or lined with fabric, a knit pencil case is a fun project to knit and useful for everything from pencils to makeup to knitting supplies. Let’s take a look at some fun pencil case knitting patterns.

I have a pattern on Our Daily Craft that I just called a zipper bag, but it’s a good size to hold pencils and other school supplies. I used worsted weight yarn on mine but you can use whatever you have handy. This one is kind of fun because I started from the zipper so there’s no sewing when the project is done.

The Knit Guru has a free zipper pouch pattern worked in DK weight yarn that uses hurdle stitch (and easy knit and purl pattern) and includes a video tutorial.

If you want to add some colorwork to your pouch, the Bellfower Pencil Case from Ellen S-A on Ravelry is a fun one. This one calls for sport weight yarn and uses four colors (in the photo it kind of looks like three but the vine is a different color from the stitches on the edges. Or try her Dancing Sheep Pencil Case (also free on Ravelry), which features a row of colorwork sheep with garter stitch bodies. So cute!

Frankie Brown has a fun knit triangular case called the Toby Case, which can be used to hold pencils, eye glasses or anything in between. It calls for DK weight yarn and uses plastic canvas to help hold its shape. You can find this one for free on Ravelry as well. This one has a button closure if you don’t want to sew on a zipper.

And speaking of pencil cases with fun shapes, there’s this pencil shaped case from Amanda Berry that’s super cute. It has a zip closure at the top by the eraser, and calls for DK weight yarn. It’s knit flat and also uses plastic canvas for reinforcement (though I secretly wish it were a Pringles can LOL).

The Pia pencil case is a sweet little design from Irene Nielsen Milano, which comes in two sizes for pencils or other supplies. It calls for DK weight yarn and has a zipper and a fabric lining. I love the little scalloped edging, too.

And if you want to keep it simple with stockinette, there this bag from Songbird Handmade Shop, which is also lined with fabric and has a zipper. It says you can use a sewing machine for these steps but it’s also fine to sew them by hand. The pattern includes instructions for knitting a solid color, stripes and several colorwork designs, which are included as charts and written patterns. It uses DK weight yarn.

Have you read?