Knitting

Patterns, projects and techniques

Winter Knitty is Here!

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wraptor socks knittyI love diving into a new issue of Knitty, though it does make me wish I could take weeks off from my current knitting plans and cast on a few new projects.

If I were to do such a thing, the first project I’d pick from this issue, I think, would be the fascinating Wraptor socks by Jeny Staiman. These stunners are worked flat in a self-striping yarn with long repeats and are stitched from side to side — sort of — ending with a long grafted seam that runs around the foot. This pattern is so detailed it’s been released as a 15-page PDF rather than on the website directly.

Other lovelies include the Whiteleaf pullover from Wool + Bricks, which is a pretty circular yoked sweater with leaf motifs worked in handspun; fecknom’s funny but super-useful Contempt headband, which is double knit with options that say I hate winter in English and either German, Spanish or Russian (there’s an I love winter option in English only, too); and Franklin Habit’s stunning Princess Franklin Plaid Collar, adapted from an old pattern in beautiful current colors. There’s a lot of detail work here but certainly worth it.

Check out the rest of the patterns, and be sure to check out Donna Druchunas’ tips for designing a Norwegian ski sweater and Kristin Frasier’s video tutorial on cabling with and without a cable needle.

Anything in the new Knitty catch your eye? I’d love to hear about it!

[Photo by Jeny Staiman 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.

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A Knit Vest to Get You Ready for Summer

I know that my posts can be read at different times of year and in different years by different people, but as I write this we’re on teh cusp of summer. And I know a lot of people don’t knit as much, and certainly don’t wear a lot of knits in the summer, but I want to encourage you to make and to wear your makes no matter the temperature.

To introduce you to the joys of summer garment knitting, I offer the Tied Vest from Lion Brand Yarn.

This easy project is great to make and wear throughout the year but it’s especially good for summer. It’s worked flat in one piece from the bottom up, mostly in stockinette stitch with a seed stitch edging. The I-cord ties are worked directly onto the garment so you don’t have to sew them on.

The project uses worsted weight yarn, and calls for a blend of cotton and hemp that’s great for warm weather.

There are eight size options, ranging from a finished chest measurement of 35 to 62.5 inches, or 89 to 159 cm. That makes it sound like it should be worn with at least a few inches of positive ease, but the pattern doesn’t specify.

The ties at the front give it a casual look and make it great to wear over a tank top or T-shirt when the weather is warm.

I also think this one would be good to knit in wool or a warmer fiber, too, to make a version you could wear more comfortably in the winter months, too. Though of course you could layer the summer version over a long-sleeved shirt and wear it throughout the year, too.

The tied vest is a free pattern available from Lion Brand. You can also purchase a kit that includes the yarn and optional needles and stitch markers if you need them.

[Photo: Lion Brand Yarn]

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