Inside Knitscene : Knitting Patterns

Intergalactic Crafting

AmyPalmer — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 21:35:00 GMT

Hilary Smith Callis is our feature designer in Knitscene Summer 2013, and we love the combination of fantastic knitted sweater patterns and her out-of-this-world day job with NASA. Click the photos for more info about each pattern.

We have 18 other stellar knitting patterns in Knitscene Summer, but sometimes a knitter likes to take a break from yarn—a harsh but very real truth. If you're looking for some more astronomy-inspired projects, here's some projects adorning my short list of crafts-to-do (when I get around to putting down the yarn, that is).

Photo from Stars for Streetlights

I absolutely love this DIY galaxy dress from Stacie at Stars for Streetlights.

Julep has a tutorial for star-spangled nails that I really want to do but I have trouble not knitting long enough to allow nail polish to thoroughly dry. It's a real problem.

Not a DIY project, but thanks to this tip from Nylon magazine, you can match your footwear to your celestial sartorial choices with galaxy-print Converse sneakers. Allow me to answer the unasked question: No, you can never have too many pairs of Converse.

Or you could, in fact, make your own cosmic kicks.

There are slew of galaxy-inspired projects on the web. I haven't found any others that directly involve yarn, but if someone has knit a solar system, please please please provide a link—that's a must-see for sure!

Happy knitting,
Amy

Get Ready for Summer with 21 Knitting Patterns to Knit Now!

AmyPalmer — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 20:34:00 GMT

Last week we launched the preview of our upcoming Knitscene Summer 2013 issue—did you see? Our third ever Summer edition takes knitting to new heights with 21 knitting patterns you've gotta have.

Our featured designer is Hilary Smith Callis, the brilliant mind behind The Yarniad, who managed to tie in her day job with NASA to her three-piece design collection. Her Eclipse Top shot to the top of my "must-knit list" when it arrived in the office, with it's simple lace pattern at the neck. (Her Wavelength Tunic and Saturn Cardigan were close behind.)

Eclipse Top by Hilary Smith Callis

Our I-cord inspired story is a smash with six patterns using I-cord in clever ways. Amanda Bell's Longboard Pullover is a great transitional sweater from spring to summer and will last you all the way through fall as a layering piece. Melissa Wehrle got creative with the back of her Love Braid Cardigan—look for a future post on how our stylist, Katie, customized the pattern to add her own flair! And Michaela Moores's Ryann Tunic is just a little bit flirty with it's deep back and I-cord tie.

Longboard Pullover by Amanda Bell

The deep red of bright poppies inspired a collection of seven knitting patterns, from the stunning Flanders Scarf by Janine Le Cras to the gorgeous cover project, Danielle Chalson's Mackinac Tank. Mari Chiba gives you options of how to wear her Pandora Cardigan, while Jennifer Dassau and Gretchen Ronnevik spice up simple silhouettes with their Sundial Tee and Lida Top, respectively.

Flanders Scarf by Janine Le Cras

Finally, we looked to the west and the big hair and big style of Hollywood. Jean Chung's Beverly Tee hints at a peplum beneath the plunging back, while Cassie Castillo's Lindell Tee goes all out with figure-flattering flare just above the hips. Kathryn McNaughton's Venice Beach Tank and Ruth Garcia-Alcantud's Melrose Tank are the perfect touches whether you're poolside or out for a casual evening.

Beverly Tee by Jean Chung

Now's the time to get those needles going to have your perfect summer tee finished in time for warm weather (well, warmer weather if you live in a warmer-than-Colorado climate). What do you want to knit first?

Happy knitting,
Amy

Last Minute Gift Knits from Knitscene

AmyPalmer — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 21:07:00 GMT

Ah, the holidays. That time of year when knitting needles everywhere are clack-clack-clacking away while harried knitters frantically work on last minute knitted gifts—or planned-well-ahead gifts that somehow got away from us.

This is the first year that Knitscene has published five issues. Five issues, more than 120 patterns, and from that wealth of knitting inspiration from our wonderful and talented designers, there are plenty of patterns that would make great gifts. These small knitting projects are perfect for those of us crushed for time—big stitches, big yarn, big results.

Grab a couple skeins of Tahki Yarns Montana (we used their Print line, but these would look amazing in a solid color as well) and whip up Kristen TenDyke's Friday Slippers from Knitscene Winter 2012! Short-row shaping with minimum seaming and super bulky yarn make for fast knitting.

Also published in Knitscene Winter, Kristen Ashbaugh-Helmreich's Northstar Hat is another short-row project, with a sweet flower added at the end (or not, if you're running short on time). Malabrigo Twist comes in so many amazing colors, you can customize a hat for everyone on your list!

The Rhonda Cap by Brenda K. B. Anderson comes from our Fall 2012 issue. O-Wool Legacy Bulky weight yarn and a delightful slipped-stitch houndstooth pattern make the knitting interesting for you and fun to wear for the recipient.

Any of the fingerless mitts from our Knitscene Accessories issue would make great gifts. Amy Gunderson's Deconstructed Mitts would probably be the fastest, the dropped stitches add length quickly, and the Rowan Lima yarn has a hint of luxury with 84% baby alpaca.

Missed one of our five issues this year? Be sure to stop by the Interweave Store tomorrow for a super sale! There will be some great deals on Interweave product you've been looking for (it's also not bad to send "hint" emails to anyone asking what you might like as a gift).

Keep on clicking those needles, my friends,
Amy

Knitscene Back Issues - Download 8 Issues of Knitscene Today!

AmyPalmer — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 16:48:00 GMT

Last week I randomly discovered that you could buy the Knitscene Winter 2007/Spring 2008 issue on Amazon from a reseller. For FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS. I'm guessing that's wishful thinking, or some other strange thing, but... whoa! We have tons of amazing patterns in our back issues, but not all of those issues are easy to obtain. Quite a few are completely out of print, some aren't available as single issue downloads, but! We do have back issue collections—two of them at the moment, to be specific.

I've been trying to load the back issue previews into Knitting Daily, and I've only gotten through Knitscene Winter 2007/Spring 2008 so far. But it's handy that I finally finished that issue yesterday, as I discovered today that we're having a sale on these back issue collections—you can download or buy the CDs of our two Knitscene collections for only $11.99!

That's four issues of Knitscene for $12. That's $3 an issue, or to put it another way, $12 for the 121 knitting patterns (okay, a few of them are crochet patterns, too!) in the 2007–2009 Knitscene Collection. Or, you know, an average of $.10 per pattern. Sure, that's a great deal, but you want to know what patterns are in those collections. Unfortunately I haven't had a chance to put the patterns from the Knitscene 2005–2007 Collection into Knitting Daily yet, but as I said, all of 2007–2009 is live now.

Knitscene Winter 2007/Spring 2008 features the Pebble Hoodie from Cecily Glowik MacDonald, the Apothecary Raglan from Lisa Shroyer, and the Curvy Top Down Raglan from Shannon Okey.

Fall 2008 issue has been one of my favorite issues of Knitscene, long before I began working here. Wendy Bernard's Opulent Raglan is on my "Must-Knit" list, along with Connie Chang Chinchio's Riding to Avalon and the Bordeaux Jacket from Robyn Chachula (yes, that is a crochet cardigan pattern, and it's awesome).

Amanda Berka's Big Thaw Pullover is the perfect sweater to knit for men, while Kathy Zimmerman's Brocade Leaves Pullover and Cirilia Rose's Matryoshka Stole are classic feminine knits.

Knitscene Winter 2008/Spring 2009 is another stunner of an issue. For the first time ever, we featured a series of patterns from one designer, kicking off our Designer Profile with the fantastic Cathy Carron. This issue also showcases some great learn to knit sweater patterns, such as Carol J. Sulcoski's Rainbow Yoke Sweater and Wendy Bernard's Forever Tweed.

Lou Schiela's Hermia Blouse, Luanda Diaz-Santiago's Artemis Tunic, and Kate Gagnon Osborn's Tempest Beret also come from this issue.

I know I said that Fall 2008 is one of my favorite issues, but thankfully I've never been asked to name a favorite favorite issue, because Knitscene Fall 2009 is an incredibly strong contender as well. Melissa Wehrle was our featured designer for this issue. Her Carnaby Street Pullover and Emerald Isle Cardigan are also on my "Must-Knit" List, and I have knit the Berkshire Dolman Sweater and love it to pieces (no really, it's starting to fall apart a bit and needs some love).

Also in this issue, you'll find Katya Wilsher's Chevron Stripe Jacket, Katie Himmelberg's Maximum Stripe Pullover, and Debbie O'Neill's Heather Hoodie Vest.

While I don't have the 2005–2007 previews in the system yet, I can tell you that there are a number of wonderful patterns in that collection as well, including the Central Park Hoodie by Heather Lodinsky, Molly Ringwald by Michelle Rose Orne, the Kenobi Jacket from Norah Gaughan, Breton Girl by Kat Coyle, the Ingenue Blouse by Phoenix Bess, Lisa Shroyer's Road to Golden... 127 patterns to knit, all for the sale price of $11.99.

These collections regularly sell for $19.99, which is still a fantastic deal, but during this sale you can get either the digital download versions of the Knitscene 2007–2009 collection or the Knitscene 2005–2007 collection for $11.99. That same price applies to the physical CD collections as well! I don't know how long the sale is going to last at the moment, but as soon as I find out, I'll update this post. UPDATE: The sale ends November 27, 2012 at 11:59 PM CST.

And as if this wasn't enough great Knitscene digital news, here's some more—beginning with our Spring 2013 issue, which will be on sale in January, Knitscene will be appearing on the iPad! I don't have release dates just yet for the iPad app, but just remember, sometime mid- to late-January.

Okay, now that I've probably sent some of you into information overload, I bid you adieu, and happy Thanksgiving to our U.S. readers who will be celebrating this week. Until next time, happy knitting!

Amy

Knit a Modern Hat with Classic Style: The Lucy Hat

AmyPalmer — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 21:41:00 GMT

Far and away, the most popular pattern from our Winter 2012 issue of Knitscene has been Carina Spencer's Lucy Hat. And what's not to love? The cloche-style hat is perhaps most associated with the early 20th century, but it's a style that's easy to wear and easy to love almost 100 years later. Added bonus, this hat pattern is easy to knit!

One of the most wonderful aspects of the Lucy Hat is the yarn! Worked in Madelinetosh Tosh Vintage, the hat shows off the beautifully slight variegation in the yarn and the super saturated colors make define the contrast between the main color and the strip at the brim.

As I've been daydreaming about finding the time to knit my own Lucy Hat, I've been considering my color options. A peek at the Madelinetosh Tosh Vintage page reveals that I have no lack of options, which rather compounds the problem of choice.

I love the muted main color (Hickory) and deep jewel tone contrast color (Tart) in the original sample, but I generally like to go my own way a bit. I could see using Antique Lace as the main color and Saffron as a contrast. Or maybe Thoreau for the main color and Lapis as the contrast.

Or maybe a version with higher contrast, using Olivia for the main color and Fathom for the band. Or Worn Denim with Lepidoptera.

On the other hand, a more tonal variation might be really beautiful as well, using Forestry as the main and Malachite as the contrast. Or Baltic and Turquoise?

I'm pretty sure the lesson here is that there's not really a wrong choice—it's pretty much a matter of style and just how fancy I'm feeling on a particular day.

Have you knit a Lucy Hat yet, or are you planning to? If you haven't already, you can purchase the digital edition at your LYS or nap a digital edition today!

Happy knitting,
Amy

Knit the Lale Shawl from Knitscene Winter 2012

AmyPalmer — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 15:20:00 GMT

Many months ago, while we were photographing Knitscene Winter over a couple of incredibly hot days in July, Katie Himmelberg, our photo stylist, fell in love with the knitted lace in the Lale Shawl, designed by Corrina Ferguson. This shawl is designed around a counterpane panel, one of the knitting techniques we focused on in this issue. She whipped up her own shawl before our recent Knitscene Spring and Summer photo shoots (...you did read that correctly) and wore it over four days of chilly weather (and models running around in shorts—sorry models!). Katie wrote about her experience knitting this beautiful shawl.

When I'm photostyling Knitscene and deciding what kinds of clothing would look good with each project, I get a sneak peek at what each issue will hold. There are always so many projects that catch my eye; some I think that would go great in my wardrobe or make a great gift, some that have extra-interesting construction or technique, or maybe just something I want to knit immediately! The Lale Shawl was all three of those things. I loved the way it looked and I had no shawls in my massive scarf collection, plus the counterpane technique seemed really interesting and I was ready to drop everything I was working on and cast-on right away.

Even though it doesn't always photograph well, I love the look of lace in a dark color of yarn. After deciding to knit my Lale in Madeline Tosh DK in the colorway Kale (oh my, a Kale Lale!), I also chose to knit my version on a size 7 needle rather than the size 8 called for in the pattern to result in a smaller shawl. Otherwise, I followed the pattern exactly. The shawl starts in the center of the lace panel with lots of texture in the botanical, leafy pattern worked in the round. When the center square is complete, stitches along one side of the square are kept live and worked into one of the shawl's wings. Then the edging is added to live stitches along two sides of the square before completing the second wing along the square's fourth edge. Since there was always something new going on, I couldn't put this project down and finished it in record time!

I wet-blocked my shawl and pinned out the points in the edging. If I were to do it again, I'd make sure to use blocking wires or thread to block it and make sure that my square was square before pinning out the edging. My finished shawl (because I knit it on a smaller needle) measures 24" deep and 46" wide versus the pattern's 32" by 64". I think it's the perfect size to wear bandanna-style and tuck it into the front of my coat all winter long.

Which patterns from Knitscene are you itching to knit? The issue officially hits newsstands today, so get your needles ready!

Happy knitting,
Amy

Ready for Winter Knitting?

AmyPalmer — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 15:26:00 GMT

Maybe it's just me, but as a knitter, I crave the colder months of the year. Not to say that knitting can't be done during the warmer days, but let's be honest—there's nothing quite like slipping on a pair of hand-knit socks or curling up in a cozy sweater fresh off the needles on a chilly winter day.

Just in time for the cooler weather comes Knitscene Winter 2012. Twenty-two brand new, cozy projects to knit from some of today's most wonderful designers. We've got three patterns from our featured designer, Leah B. Thibault, including the lovely Toulouse Pullover, with it's cushy wool-alpaca blend and sweet bow-tie neckline.

We get technical this issue with an exploration of short-rows and the different ways they can shape your knitting. Five stylish accessories patterns to knit include Carina Spencer's Lucy Hat and two crescent shawl patterns from Kyoko Nakayoshi. Kyoko also contributed an article on how to knit short-rows, including step-by-step photography that will have you wrapping and turning in no time.

Single ply yarns get their day in the sun in our Single Life story. Three cardigans to knit and three accessories worked in lofty, lightly spun yarns. Gretchen Ronnevik's Camille Cardigan, Laura Coccarelli's Chandra Shawl, and Amy Christoffer's Maryse Cowl show off beautiful lace patterns.

Maryse Cowl

Our final collection in Knitscene Winter 2012 takes a look at knitted counterpanes—lacy pieces that form the centerpiece or detailed sections of sweaters, cardigans, and shawls to knit. Cassie Castillo's Erte Cardigan utilizes this technique in a more classic construction, with the large back panel being knit first. Josie Mercier's Imbolc Pullover features a modern twist on the counterpane idea, inserting lace panels into the sides of a comfy, oversized sweater.

There's something for everyone to knit in this issue, and it's officially on sale next week, just in time for the grey days of winter in the Northern Hemisphere (or for you to get a jump start on next winter, if you're in the Southern Hemisphere!). Grab your favorite needles, choose your favorite yarns, get a pot of tea or coffee going, and download the newest issue of Knitscene today. Or pre-order the physical edition if you love the sound of pages turning as much as the sound of wood crackling in a fire place.

Happy knitting,
Amy

We Love Autumn: Interweave Knitters Edition

AmyPalmer — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 17:07:00 GMT

source

The official start of autumn is tomorrow and here in the Interweave offices, we're ready to embrace the cooler weather, crisper air, and of course, the opportunity to wear those handknits we've been hoarding all summer.

On a whim, I asked some of my coworkers what they're looking forward to about autumn.

Amanda Williams, Interweave Knits Assistant Editor:

"I like knitting in a café with a good, strong latte. Also, hats and big schlumpy sweaters that cover the bum and can be worn with leggings."

Sharon Zientara, Interweave Crochet Assitant Editor:

"TWEED. ALL THE TWEED."

Karin Strom, Editorial Director, Yarn Group:

"Rhinebeck! It's the first year in 7 years that I'm not going and I am majorly bummed."

Larissa Gibson, Project Editor:

I think it is the colors and walking through crunchy leaves (preferably in the woods, not my lawn).
But I like a lot of things, back to school, high school football games with the marching band, slowly reintroducing my cold weather wardrobe, and changing our dinner menu to my winter recipes. Much of this is knitting related because you can do it all in knits, with knits, while knitting…

Anne Merrow, Sockupied editor:

Turning leaves and their smell; cross-country running (along dirt roads in New England with stone walls); finding the knits I'd forgotten about; putting my handknitted socks into rotation; realizing that if I finish the projects now that I abandoned in May, I could wear them; pumpkin!!; sleeping with a blanket; cuddly cats; return of good TV

Sarah Read, Interweave Crochet project editor:

HALLOWEEN!

Me? I'm a fan of tights. I've always believed that fall and winter wardrobes were infinitely better than spring and summer options. Tights are fantastic—they can add a pop of color to an outfit, they add a layer of warmth under pants for those really cold days, and best of all, I don't have to shave my legs. Also, neutral tights with handknits socks can be a lot of fun.

We've just gone to press on our Knitscene Winter issue, which will be available next month, but I'm hoping to savor the switch from summer to fall. My plans include toasting s'mores over fire pits while wearing sweaters and hats fresh off the needles, searching for a new pair of boots, and yes, breaking out the tights as soon as the weather is cool enough.

What are your favorite parts of autumn? Has the weather taken it's downward turn yet? How do you really feel about tights?

Happy and warm knitting,
Amy

Knitscene presents Easy Seamless Sweaters to Knit

AmyPalmer — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 21:25:00 GMT

This time of year, many of us in the Northern Hemisphere are planning our fall and winter wardrobes. If you're a newer knitter, this is the perfect time to learn how to knit sweaters with our new eBook, Easy Seamless Sweaters to Knit.

We've chosen five of our favorite, and easiest, raglan sweater patterns from past issues of Knitscene and collected them in this eBook specifically with the newer knitter in mind. These five sweater knitting patterns are all top-down raglans with very little seaming at the end. One of the benefits of knitting sweaters from the top-down is that you can easily try them on as you're knitting, allowing you to easily check that the sweater is fitting as you go.

Included in this eBook is an article on the basic construction of raglan sweaters, and a few of our most popular knitted sweater patterns. Debbie O'Neill's Equinox Raglan is probably the easiest of the bunch—unfinished edges and a square neckline topped off with minimal waist shaping in a yarn that does all the color striping for you. The pattern is written for sizes 28¾ (32¾, 36, 40, 44, 48)" bust, shown in size 32¾" with zero ease.

Forever Tweed by Wendy Bernard is the perfect cozy, slouchy sweater for fall days, with an oversized collar and deeply ribbed hems. The finished sweater measures 36 (39, 42, 46, 50)" bust, and is shown in size 36" with 2" positive ease.

A marled yarn creates a tweed-like effect in Cecily Glowik MacDonald's Heather Raglan, worked in alternating rows of Stockinette and reverse Stockinette stitch. Knit this in sizes 35¼ (38½, 41½, 44¾, 48)" bust circumference (shown in size 35¼" with 1–2" positive ease).

Melissa Wehrle's Sigma Tee starts to get a little fancy, adding dropped stitches along the raglan lines. Still simple, but with a little extra sass, for sizes 33 (35, 37, 39, 43, 47)" bust.

And finally, the most challenging pattern in the collection is still a simple knit. Romi Hill's Rayonnant Pullover begins with a little bit of lace work for a pretty, feminine edge, then continues in easy Stockinette stitch with eyelets along the raglan lines. Choose from seven different sizes: 30 (31½, 34, 36¼, 39¼, 41½, 44½)" bust.

More experienced knitter? Grab this eBook and choose from five simple knitting patterns to knit a sweater in time for Rhinebeck! Everyone loves a new knitted sweater for the annual New York Sheep and Wool festival. These five sweater patterns are simple and fast to knit.

Happy knitting!
Amy

What's Hot: 8 Popular Accessories to Knit Now

AmyPalmer — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 21:46:00 GMT

Our premiere Knitscene Accessories issue has been so well-received, we're blushing! Thanks to everyone who has responded to the issue and been inspired to make knitted accessories.

Eight patterns from Accessories in particular seem to be garnering most of the attention. Jennifer Dassau's Roam Cowl is one of the most popular. A simple lace pattern set in an infinity scarf and worked in a luxurious yarn... What could be better? Alexandra Beck's Aristida Shawl from that same story is also attracting a lot of readers. Easy lace knitting is always a plus in my book.

The Lokken Kerchief by Megi Burcl is also wildly popular on both Knitting Daily and Ravelry, and there have been some stunning finished projects. Triona Murphy's Check Slouch maybe looks more complicated than it is—the color checks are made with slipped stitches, making it a surprisingly quick knitting project.

Shawls continue to be popular with knitters, as both Denise Twum's Sunehri Shawl and Angela Tong's Putney Shawl are getting a lot of love. Both projects are knit in lovely yarns, Sunehri in highlighter-bright Malabrigo and Putney in a gorgeous singles from Green Mountain Spinnery.

Hands and feet are getting love as well, with Alexis Winslow's God's Eye Mitts and Allison Janocha's Selkie Socks catching the eyes of knitters everywhere.

What's your favorite knitting pattern from Knitscene Accessories? This issue is only available on newsstands for a couple more weeks, but you can still get it from the Interweave store in print or digital versions!

Happy knitting,
Amy

Forever Knits: 9 Patterns to Knit for Fall

AmyPalmer — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 23:30:00 GMT

Something (hopefully autumn) is coming. Maybe it's the slight chill to the mornings that greets me when I walk out my front door; maybe it's the sinus pressure–inducing shift in the barometric pressure. But I know that sooner or later, summer will transition into autumn and I'll need to break out the layers.

Knitting trends go through transitions as well. Not quite as quickly, usually, but with that inevitable come and go of time. But some knitting trends remain the same; some trends provide a sense of stability.

The Forever Knits collection in Knitscene Fall 2012 celebrates those traditional knitting trends and updates them for the modern knitter. Cables, texture, and slipped stitch colorwork are incorporated into hip, wearable pieces for cooler Fall evenings, or that tricky transition to winter. Traditional cable motifs are just slightly set off in Anniken Allis's Kennedy Sweater. A simple honeycomb stitch is placed on the front of Ruth Garcia-Alcantud's Agnes Pullover, while the back is plain stockinette. In her stunning knit pullover, Mercedes Tarasovich-Clark turns the traditional gansey on its side with Margot. And Silka Burgoyne beautifully blends cables into ribbing in the Kelsey Gloves and Mitts.

Slipped-stitch colorwork knitting requires no stranded, no twisting of yarns, no pesky floats, and yields spectacular results. Brenda K. B. Anderson adds a bill to a familiar beanie-style hat and a star slipped-stitch pattern in the Rhonda Cap. The Amherst Scarf from Marjorie Dussaud works three colors together in a slipped-stitch pattern bordered by an i-cord edge. Amy Polcyn works slipped-stitch motifs at the bottom band and shoulders of the Frances Cardigan.

Lace gets its day in the sun too, with Carol Feller's Prudence Pullover, an easy to knit sweater pattern with a lace panel and cabled funnel neck. And Odessa Reichel lines a simple lace pattern with miniature cables in the form-fitting Sandra Sweater (and a tiny bit of puffed sleeves never hurts!).

The weather changes, our preference for light summer-y plant fibers may shift to lofty, cozy wools, but there are some things about knitting that never, ever change.

Happy knitting,
Amy

Knitscene Fall is here!

AmyPalmer — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 15:16:00 GMT

The world of magazine publishing is a straaaaange world, a world in which, for reasons varied and sundry, a magazine's autumn issue can hit newsstands a couple of weeks after 100°+ temperatures. A handful of days after the longest day of the year. At a time of year when the idea that we will ever reach a comfortable, non-boiling temperature again seems impossible (this may just be me—I am not a summer person, in general).

But this is a strange world, and Knitscene Fall 2012 should be available at any newsstand that regularly sells issues of Knitscene. The cover, featuring the Agnes Pullover by Ruth Garcia-Alacntud, accidentally looks a little "holiday-ish", with the cozy cranberry sweater over a green and blue plaid shirt, but it feels cool. Maybe I'm just remembering that it was lightly snowing the day we made our models, photography crew, and all of us ascend a ladder through an opening in a ceiling to climb on top of a roof.

From Romi Hill's design collection to the dreamy knits in the Ethereal story, there are so many patterns making me excited for the fall to come. I want to knit pictorial lace into everything, thanks to Cassie Castillo's Nocturnal Pullover and Jennifer Chase-Rappaport's Huntress Shawl.

Aran-inspired motifs such as Anniken Allis's Kennedy Sweater and Mercedes Tarasovich-Clark's Margot Pullover make me long for the days when the temperature in my house drops, and the idea of holding a sweater's worth of wool in my lap doesn't sound like torture.

I think perhaps I'll start small, with a project such as Romi's crescent-shaped Perpetua Shawl or Catherine Shield's Serpentine Hat while I daydream about possible colors for Amy Gunderson's Rizzed Raglan.

Is it hot where you are? Are you knitting now? Or are you, like me, holding out for a few more weeks before you dive into your stash and see how many sweaters you can start knitting?

Until fall, stay hydrated, and happy knitting.
Amy

Knitscene Accessories is here!

AmyPalmer — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 21:43:00 GMT

Last year, Lisa and I produced the first Interweave magazine focused solely on knitted accessories. We loved working on Interweave Knits Accessories, so we were excited to put our own Knitscene spin on the issue this year. Stylish and simple accessories to knit? Yes, please!

Knitscene Accessories is stuffed to the gills with incredibly cute and easy to knit accessories—shawls, scarves, fingerless mitts, hats, socks, and even a headband with a giant plaid bow! I love all of these projects, and I plan on talking about them more in detail over the next few weeks (along with Knitscene Summer which is still on newsstands, and—spoiler alert—Knitscene Fall, which we'll be able to show you later this month). But today, I'm going to let some of our creative and talented designers talk about their projects!

Triona Murphy blogged about her Check Slouch hat. Slipped stitches for the win!
Carolyn Kern's Equilibrium Cowl is near the top of my "must-knit" list (...it is a long list) and shared a bit of a behind-the-scenes look at the publishing process from the designer's point of view.
Amy Gunderson has two projects in Knitscene Accessories, the Sideways Argyle Beret and Deconstructed Mitts, and blogged about both here.
Josie Mercier discusses the origin of her idea for the Irresponsible Tam.
Allison Haas also had two designs in this issue, the Sea Legs Scarf and Doe River Mittens. Read her thoughts on the Sea Legs Scarf here and the Doe River Mittens here.
Robin Ulrich's Orbs Cowl is a simple cowl to knit, and she discussed her inspiration on her blog.
A twist in this tale! Denise Twum, designer of the Sunehri Shawl and Destiny Cowl, shared her must-knit projects from Accessories. Does her list match up with yours?
Odessa Reichel shares her love of neon and sparkles (and can you blame her?) in a post celebrating her Lightning Kerchief and Supernova Cowl.
Jennifer Dassau is becoming a bronze lover due to the sample knit of her Roam Cowl, beautifully knit in String Theory Yarn's "Oban" colorway.
Mindy Wilkes flails a bit about her Zora Shawl. Bonus points for animated Kermit image! This shawl is so pretty and so simple and so inching it's way up my queue.
Believe it or not, the Mountain Nettle Shawl was Emma Welford's second design ever. She talks about it's design in this blog post.
Michaela Moores talked about her adorable Marion Socks on her blog. I love that they were inspired by Maid Marion, one of my favorite heroines!
Rebecca Blair not only had two projects in this issue, but one of them, the Wellington Mitts, also made the cover! Read Rebecca's blog about the mitts and her Clandestine Socks here.
And last but most definitely not least is Allyson Dykhuizen's blog post about her Reservoir Mitts. Interesting fact: Allyson pitched these to be worked in multiple colors, instead of the variegated colorway (Lorna's Laces Vera color, one of my favorites! No, Allyson, I didn't have anything to do with choosing the colors). I'd love to see what they'd look like with clearly delineated blocks of entreleac!

What are your favorite accessories from this issue? Have you knit any of these projects yet? Let me know in the comments, and link to a blog post on your project if you have one!

Happy knitting,
Amy

Behind the Scenes: shooting knitted accessories

LisaShroyer — Tue, 29 May 2012 18:15:00 GMT

This month, we're debuting a brand new special issue--Knitscene Accessories. You can check out the full preview here, and order or download the issue here and here (respectively).

The photography for this super-sized issue took place along the edges of the Horsetooth Reservoir in northern Colorado. The folks who shoot for us, a boutique studio called Harper Point out of Fort Collins, put together a little behind-the-scenes video of the shoot. Check it out, go see the preview, and enjoy this newest product in the Knitscene family!

(Please visit the site to view this media)

5 Summery Shawls to Knit Now!

AmyPalmer — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 22:13:00 GMT

We do seem to go in phases here, don't we? Blog post, blog post, blog post, static and silence. Usually in those quieter times, Lisa and I are going a little crazy trying to get another issue of Knitscene off to the printers and eventually into your hands. The last few weeks are no exception. Let's just say, there'll be a spanking new issue of Knitscene to scope out in a little more than a month. Try to contain yourselves.

Colorado seemed to miss the memo that spring comes before summer, and it's been in the 70s and 80s this week. Usually around this time of year, we're bracing for one last snow storm, but we've lately been asking the skies for rain, the weather has been so dry. The evenings, though, are still cool and occasionally chilly—basically the perfect weather for a knitted shawl!

Knitscene Summer is officially available at your local Knitscene retailer (and of course, online at the Interweave Store in both digital and physical editions, as well as Zinio), and inside are five shawls that are perfect to knit for those cooler summer evenings, spent sipping drinks through straws on patios.

Sarah Wilson's Westport Shawl is the ideal piece for layering over your favorite summer dress. Knit side to side, with the edging worked as you go, this is the kind of knitting that you can't put down once you start. This is a great project for a luxurious skein of yarn or a wildly variegated colorway.

The rectangular Leaf Net Stole by Kristy Howell is a great shape for summer outfits. Scrunch up this knitted stole for a skinny scarf look, drape over the arms for a more elegant occasion, or go boho and wear it as a wide belt over a summery maxi dress.

I talked a little bit about Andrea Jurgrau's Filigreen Shawl in my first post about Knitscene Summer, and I keep coming back to it as a must-knit triangular shawl. The subtle shimmer added from the beads reminds me of the quick glimpses of fireflies amongst the trees in the summer evenings.

Blasé about knitted shawls after knitting tons of triangular shawls in the past? Sink your teeth into Paula B. Levy's Ginkgo Counterpane Shawl. Sure, it's somewhat triangular in shape, but that's achieved through knitting individual ginkgo motifs and stitching them together. Modular knitting at its leafiest!

Finally, Robin Ulrich's Sweetgrass Triangle is the utmost in instant gratification knitting. Knit in a sport weight yarn with an open stitch pattern and simple knotted fringe edge, this knitted shawl works up incredibly fast—start one today and wear it to your Cinco de Mayo party next weekend!

Don't let your summer knitting be limited to prepping for fall—knit a shawl to wear all summer long, or any of the other patterns in Knitscene Summer, with 23 patterns to knit now. Hey, the days are longer for a reason, and I think that reason is so we have more daylight for knitting.

Happy summer knitting,
Amy