Spring + Summer Knitty is Here

See, I wasn’t at all kidding about it being almost spring, because the Spring + Summer Knitty has just been released.

This issue includes 13 patterns for shawls, tops, socks, a sweater, a sleep mask and a baby hat.

In addition you’ll find Donna Druchunas‘ last regular column for Knitty (wah!) all about linen and Lithuania, learn about making a top that’s knit and crocheted and make a fun and funky baby hat inspired by Victorian patterns with Franklin Habit, as well as learning tips on how to use a rigid heddle loom, because we all need more things to do with fiber, right?

I love the Geek sock pattern by Wei S. Leong, which combines a self-striping yarn and a slip-stitch pattern to make a sock that’s a little more interesting than the plain striped socks you usually see in self-striping yarn without adding much difficulty. Jennifer Wood’s Mia is a pretty straightforward shell with details along the bottom and at the top front, worked in a gorgeous linen and silk yarn.

Mitenae has a pretty square shawl called Peppermint Bay, inspired by the Pi Shawl worked in a pretty, and actually pretty easy, repeating eyelet pattern with a lace edging that’s applied as it is knit. And that one shown above is called Hybrid Vigour by Mary-Anne Mace, which is sort of a shawl/poncho made with handspun.

Remember the site can be slow loading these first couple of days, but if you get a look around I’d love to know what catches your eye. I’m thinking hard about knitting those Geek socks…

[Photo via Knitty.]

Next Pattern:

Blankets are a great blank slate project that you can change up in a million different ways. From color to stitch pattern to size, the possibilities are almost endless.

Jared Flood, the designer behind Brooklyn Tweed, was inspired by a log cabin quilt his mother made in 1995 to re-create that design in knitting, which led to more blankets and ultimate Brooklyn Tweed’s Knit and Crochet Blankets, which includes 25 patterns from an array of designers using different skills and techniques to make cozy, pretty blankets.

The patterns are divided into three aesthetic themes: traditions, minimalism and colorplay. The patterns are rated on a scale of one to five, with one being the easiest, and there aren’t any pieces rated five. Two blankets are rated one, 14 are two, eight are three and one is four.

In addition, three of the 25 patterns are crocheted, but they either use single crochet or granny stitch, so they are pretty easy even if you don’t do a lot of crochet. You can see all the patterns on Ravelry.

Some of my favorites include Rattan by Rastus Hsu, a chunky blanket worked in knits and purls with simple crossing stitches to make a raised woven look; Homewood by Seth Richardson, covers in dramatic, loopy cables; Ainur Berkimbayeva’s Tessellate, one of the beginner projects that doesn’t really look beginner but is totally worked in knit and purl stitches; Warp + Weft by Aist? Butkevi?ien?, which is mostly knits and purls but makes a fun woven look fabric that blew my mind a little bit; and the same designer’s Canyonland, a multicolored blanket with wavy stripes.

The patterns tell you how to resize them for different dimensions and include information on pattern repeats where it is possible to make a totally custom size.

Many different techniques are included here such as cables, lace, shadow knitting, intarsia and other colorwork techniques, as well as modular knitting and lots of sewing pieces together. The patterns are all presented with charts, but there are line by line written instructions available on the Brooklyn Tweed website if you need them.

The book ends with a deep dive into log cabin knitting, telling the story of the quilt Jared’s mom made and how he made it in knitting, as well as the multitude of variations you can make if you want your own log cabin style design.

The back of the book includes a little written information about some of the special techniques needed, but there are no photos.

This is a lovely book full of inspiration for knitting and crochet blankets for any skill level. If you like to make blankets as gifts or aspire to have a handmade blanket in every room of the house, these designs would be a great place to start.

About the book: 192 pages, paperback, 25 patterns. Published 2024 by Abrams Books, suggested retail price $24.99.

Next Pattern:

Have you read?

Leave a Reply