Nashua Handknits Premier Magazine

I got a chance to review the premier issue of Nashua Handknits Magazine and think I have a new best friend! I just might subscribe to this one. Practical and stylish designs for men, women, and children. This issue features Kristin Nichols and her line of Julia yarn, named for her daughter. You can visit Kristin regularly here on her GettingStitchedOnTheFarm Blog

Looking for more knitting patterns for knitted Cardigans? Check out these Knitting patterns we found on Etsy.

Specific to knitters, you can join our Knitting Patterns Only group to get, well, knitting patterns, ask questions and gain inspiration for what to knit next.

The pattern lines in this issue include “Harvest”, with vests, cardis and pullovers in cables, lace and rib designs.

Another line, “Office”, includes traditional and contemporary designs of cardies, pullovers, tie wraps and even a briefcase bag.

“Natural Focus” takes us down on the farm with a collection of vests, cardigans and a hoodie in natural plant dyed 100 pct wool yarn.

Notice the lamb in the picture? This little cutie was only hours old when the picture was taken on Kristin’s farm. Awwwww

Click here to download the images of all the patterns in this fabulous book!

And

Click here to order this new exciting magazine!

Next Pattern:

When I first started knitting again after a long absence from the craft (which has now been almost 25 years ago!) I really didn’t like garter stitch that much. I found it super boring, somehow even more boring than knitting stockinette stitch in the round, even though it’s exactly the same thing.

Over the years I’ve softened my opinion, and even grown to like garter stitch. There’s nothing wrong with being plain, and actually the texture of garter stitch is more interesting than stockinette.

Also there are fun things you can do with garter stitch to make it more interesting if you want to, such as adding stripes, working on the bias, or doing fun effects to change the look.

That’s the way with the Bernat Twist My Way Garter Knit Blanket. Using combinations of casting on and binding off creates what they call a Swiss cheese effect along two sides of the blanket. This is a lot of fun in the self-striping ombre yarn they chose for the pattern, but it would also be fun in a solid color or making your own stripes.

Despite the dramatic effect, this pattern is rated easy. It’s worked from side to side (if you consider the “cheesy” edges the top and bottom) and has an eight-row repeat that involves binding off and then casting on again to make the holes. They’re kind of like giant buttonholes.

Once you get the hang of it it’s a pretty easy repeat to remember, and it will be smooth knitting as big as you want to make it.

You can download this pattern from the Yarnspirations website for free, or you can buy a kit direct from them that includes the yarn you need (and knitting needles if you need those, too). Bernat Sport Ombre Twist, which is what is used in the pattern, comes in 12 self patterning colors and is a DK weight acrylic yarn.

[Photo: Yarnspirations]

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