Twist Collective Winter 2014

While I was away from my computer over Thanksgiving break the latest issue of Twist Collective went live, and if you haven’t seen it yet you’re going to want to head over there and look at the pretties.

Three knitting stories present more than 30 patterns full of woodsy warmth, shapes of gray and classic country styles. Articles include a drinking game for watching Elizabeth Zimmermann DVDs from Franklin Habit, a lesson on swatching brioche with Clara Parkes and a defense of mosaic knitting from Barbara Gregory. There’s also a profile of glass knitting artist Carol Milne by Lela Nargi and an update on raising goats from Amy King.

There are lots of great patterns here, but some of my favorites include Paramo by Wendy Neal, a pretty three-quarter sleeved pullover with triangular sections worked in a contrasting color; the delicate cable and lace V-neck Hyssop by Renee Callahan; Helene Rush’s Mad Dash, a jacket that uses multicolored brick stitch worked in different directions to set off the design; Radius by Julie Blauw, a close-fitting pullover with curvy, colored accents and a great little pocket; Kate Gilbert’s pretty two-color Masonry socks; Ashley Rao’s gorgeous two-color brioche cowl neck pullover, Epicenter; and the relatively simple but pretty cardigan Skyscraper by Nancy Vandivert.

Check out all the patterns on Ravelry. Individual patterns run $6 or $7 and you can buy them on Ravelry or direct from the Twist Collective site.

See anything you like? I’d love to hear about it!

[Photo via Twist Collective.]

Looking for more Thanksgiving patterns check these out 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.

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The felted slipper craze that began last year doesn’t seem like it’s fading away. The Sailor Slippers, often striped knit and felted slippers made with super bulky yarn, because the project of the moment late last year (check out more knit slipper options in this post all about sailor slippers) and they’re still consistently popular with knitters.

Which makes sense because they are fun and fast to knit, and seeing them go from this giant thing to something that actually fits a foot feels a little magical.

I have always loved felting (in fact my first book was about felting knitting) and it’s always fun for me to see people rediscover this technique.

If you’ve knit enough plain slippers to fit all the feet you know, maybe it’s time to stitch up some tabi style slippers instead.

Maymade Knits has designed these cute tabi ballerina slippers, made with bulky yarn and felted. They’re worked flat at first and then in rounds, and are available in 10 EU sizes (the Internet tells me add 31 to your American shoe size to get your EU size). The designer says the slippers are meant to have a close fit and you should choose a size a little smaller than your foot for the ideal fit.

The pattern includes a video tutorial along with the written pattern.

You can grab this pattern on Ravelry. The same designer has her own version of the striped felted slipper as well, called Sarah’s Striped Slippers. These are worked in super bulky yarn and have a contrasting foot and a striped body. These are knit flat and seamed and there are 7 size options available. Check that pattern out here if you’re looking for a more traditional slipper shape. They also look roomier so you can wear them with socks if you like.

[Photo: Maymade Knits]

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