Winter Knitty is Here!

December 4, 2013 by Sarah White

I 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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Knit and Felt Some Tabi Style Slippers

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]