Knitting

Patterns, projects and techniques

Top Models Find Work for Vogue Knitting Magazines

by

vogue knitting americas next top modelI have no idea why BuzzFeed thinks it’s “alarming” (I really think they were trying to be funny) but a staffer has noticed that several contestants from “America’s Next Top Model” have found work after the show modeling knitwear for Vogue Knitting and Knit.1.

Half a dozen contestants — and a couple of winners — on the show have been featured in the pages of the knitting magazines, including season 11 winner McKey Sullivan, who graced the cover of VK’s fall 2009 issue.

My favorite is probably this gray jacket modeled by season 7 contestant Eugena Washington that was featured in Vogue Knitting’s Fall 2010 issue.

Do you find the use of “top models” “alarming” or do you think it says something about the prestige of knitting these days that such models are being used? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

[Photo by Vogue Knitting via BuzzFeed.]

Next Pattern:

Comments

  1. I think it says something about the prestige of knitting these days that America’s Next Top Models are being used. I’d love to see even more well known models featured in knitting magazines.

Have you read?

Pet Beds to Knit

I have two cats, and I have always wanted to make them some kind of cat bed. But I also feel like they would completely ignore it, so I would be better off spending my knitting time on someone who I know will appreciate it (me). If you want to give it a try, though, here are some cute pet beds to knit for cats, small dogs, and maybe even some bigger dogs. 

My favorite of the ones I came across in writing this post is the Capiti knit cave that looks like a cat. This one is from Ursule Knits, and from the pattern description it sounds like it is lightly felted by hand to make it stand up, so you need to use wool to make it. It calls for DK weight but I’m sure worsted would work, too. 

The Maya Cat Cave is another cute cave-like project. Designed by Lavi V and using super bulky yarn, it’s like a purpose-made sack for your kitty to hang out in. It uses a metal ring (like you might use to make a dreamcatcher) to make the opening sturdy. You can find this one on Ravelry.

If you don’t want to be quite as literal as a cave, this pet bed nest from Monique Rae is another good choice. This one is flat on the bottom with short sides. It uses two strands of worsted weight yarn held together and comes in six sizes for a range of cats and dogs to be cozy in.

This circular cat bed knitting pattern from Ginger Purl is cute and easy to knit if you’re familiar with knitting flat circle. This one is striped, which is a great reminder that cats don’t care what color their bed is, so you might as well use leftover yarn on it. 

I am a little skeptical that this pet bed that’s made with roving and arm knitting will look as good once an animal has seen it, but it is a cute and quick project (and you could just use it as a basket that kitty is allowed to get in rather than a dedicated space). The pattern is from Wools by Nicky and includes a video tutorial if you’re new to arm knitting.

If you’d rather knit a blanket for the dog or cat in your life, check out the Ziggy Zag Pet Blanket by Paws and Purls Knits. This pretty reversible blanket comes in five sizes for various pets, and if you make it in washable yarn it’s the perfect thing for your furry friend to cuddle with. 

Or if you have a pet who will submit to a hood, I love this hooded pet blanket from Yarnspirations. Using Bernat Blanket yarn, it’s super cozy (and bright!) and pretty easy to knit as it’s all worked in one piece. The pattern only has one size but it’s just a rectangle with a hood so you could probably adjust it pretty easily for the size of your pet. 

7 Knitting Patterns For Your Pet

Book Review: Knitting with Dog Hair

Knitting News: Knitting More than Your Bit, Knitting for Pets and More