Trish Knits.com

Tag: Interweave Knits

  • My Mailbox Runneth Over!

    Today was a good mailbox day. A really good one.

    Today I got this in the mail:

    Knit Picks New Traditions Afghan Kit
    Knit Picks New Traditions Afghan Kit

    It’s the New Traditions Afghan Kit by Knit Picks. I saw this on their website for the first time last week, and I knew immediately that I must have one. The bright colors are certainly a huge attraction. But, what really got me was the quilt design, knit modularly, in what looks like all garter stitch. (I haven’t yet taken the pattern out of the bag for wanting to keep the yarn all together.) Once I get the technique down, can you IMAGINE the creative possibilities, and all of the quilting designs? I am practically glowing from excitement at the thought of it all!

    The other thing that came in the mail was this:

    Fall 1997 Interweave Knits
    Fall 1997 Interweave Knits
    This is the Fall 1997 issue of Interweave Knits magazine. It’s a very early issue. Thumbing through the pages I quickly realized that one of two things must be true: either it’s that truly classic, beautiful designs never really go out of style, or perhaps I am hopelessly behind the times and unfashionable. This fabulous issue contains a top-down Aran by Beth Brown-Reinsel, with not only a pattern, but also a detailed article about its construction. And there’s the article about Alice Starmore, and a pattern by Alice Starmore. Cool!

    Those of you who have been knitting forever might already have this magazine in the rack on your shelf, and you’re probably chuckling at my glee. Or, maybe you’re quietly nodding, because you totally get it. You understand. Either way, this magazine is a treasure to me. And, out of style or not, I don’t care. I’m going to get up the guts and knit something from this puppy.

    Someday.

  • Gray Monday Afternoon Ramblings at the Kitchen Table

    Interweave Knits Weekend, Special Edition
    Interweave Knits Weekend, Special Edition
    I finally scored a copy of Interweave Knits Weekend. Wasn’t it supposed to be coming out on September 15? I had pretty much assumed that it must have come and gone from my local bookstores, as I had been diligently scouring the bookstores in town for weeks. Then yesterday I pop into Barnes&Noble on a whim, and there it is.

    It’s full of casual, relaxed clothing that is comfortable and wearable. And not only that, most of the projects are the sort of knits that have just enough challenge to keep your interest, but not so much that your brain explodes. (This is a major plus in my book.)

    My favorite pattern is the Autumn Vines Cardigan (here’s a Ravelry link for you.) It’s a sweater with sort of loose, billowy fronts, with cables. Also I love the Provence cloche. Unfortunately, it’s probably not a good style for my bowling-ball head so I’ll have to find someone skinny to knit it for.

    Knitting has been slow around here. I haven’t really touched my elephant project except for a few more rows on the trunk. It’s about done now, I think—only one more row, then it will be time to pick up stitches on the body. For some reason I’m stalled at this point. I’m starting to wonder if I have a subconscious fear of this next step. I’m not aware that I’m afraid, and yet, I haven’t done it yet.

    I’ve done a few more rows on my Lifestyle Top Down Hat, and have begun what will be a fairly large ribbed section. Then that one will be finally done. Then I have Jennifer’s pink scarf to get done .The weather must be getting chilly in Michigan by now .I should hurry up and finish it! Then I need to hurry up and get going on some boot toppers for me .It’s fall now and I haven’t made any for myself yet. I do have a bunch of different shades of Cascade 220 yarn just for this purpose, plus a super-cute pair of Dr. Marten’s ankle boots. Now I just need to find myself the perfect Aran sweater to go with my fantasy fall ensemble. (Sigh… I don’t think traditional cabled knits are “in” this year. I’ve been looking, and they’re hard to find. Especially in my size. Maybe I should get the hint?)

    Fall is definitely in the air here now. It’s gray and chilly outside, and today was truly the first day that I didn’t feel too hot for wearing a sweatshirt. I had not intended to cook dinner tonight and instead opt for something along the “eat leftovers or make yourself a sandwich” genre, but then the urge hit me for spaghetti sauce. A nice, steamy pot in the house on a gray, chilly fall day. Ahhh… that’s good..

  • Book Review: Quick Knits, Cool Projects

    I was recently gifted with the book, Quick Knits: Cool Projects, by Jeanne Stauffer. On the surface, this would seem like a basic knitting book, with tons of boring projects, sort of ho-hum. But, let me tell you, I was very impressed, and I like this book a lot! You can find just about everything in here. There are plenty of hats and scarves to choose from, bags, wraps, baby things, sweaters and other clothing, and afghans. The projects are many and varied, with a nice sampling of skills introduced and skill levels needed. While I can tell on first view that it would appear that the sweater patterns are not terribly intricate, there are enough different styles that there would be something to appeal to just about anyone.

    I especially love that many of the sweater patterns are written with fuller figures in mind. I am eyeing the cabled hoodie pattern and may try to do this one. The pattern calls for Lion Brand Wool-Ease, but I may try Cascade 220 Superwash, or, better yet, dive into my generous stash of Wool of the Andes yarn. We’ll see.

    In other knitting news, I am making good progress on my daughter’s hat. Hopefully I’ll have photos and a detailed update tomorrow. Also I have received the Winter 2008 issue of Interweave Knits. I’ve heard some people say that they are not inspired by the projects in this issue. I am having the opposite reaction. Usually the magazine is full of sweaters, with a few other things mixed in. This time, it’s full of accessory problems, with a few sweaters. Just my cup of tea! I am especially in love with the mitten and hat patterns inside, but my favorite thing, I think, is the Pfeiffer Falls Hooded Scarf, which I think will be in my queue of to-do’s as soon as I am done with this blog post. I’m betting without looking that it’s already a popular design on Ravelry. I guess I’ll go see if I’m right!

    Ok, it’s getting late and I guess I’d better head off to bed. The alarm goes off bloody early around here. See ya!

    Listen to this article
    Listen to this article

  • eBay Treasure… sort of.

    Interweave Knits, Winter 2003

    Ok, I’ve been trolling the interwebs for a little while now, on a quest for a couple of back issues of Interweave Knits. One of the ones high on my list has been Winter 2003, in which there are good articles about gloves and thumb gussets, as well as some comfy unisex slipper sock things.

    I actually lost this one the other day, but the seller wrote to me and said she had more than one copy, so I jumped on it. The magazine is great, the patterns and articles are just what I wanted. But it STINKS. In a big way. In the I’ve sprayed it with skanky car air freshener to hide the cigarette smoke kind of way. But this is a good issue, and I can’t stop looking. And my eyes are watering and I’m sniffly. Oh well, the price I pay for my knitting addiction. Guess I’d better take a hit on the inhaler before bed.

    Which is where I’m headed now. I hear that Kelley Petkun interviewed Charlene Schurch for her podcast tonight. Given my suddenly renewed interest in socks, I can’t wait to listen as I head off to sleep.

    Goodnight for now!

  • Blankety Goodness

    rainbow stripey blanket in progress again

    Welp, it’s been a few weeks so I thought I would show a recent photo of the blankie…. taken this evening as I began the 10-row segment of purpleness! Purple of course is my most favorite color, and so far when it came up in the randomness of it, the segment was only two rows wide… waaaah. So I should get my purple fix this go round.

    Of course, it isn’t really random at all. See my April 5 entry to learn the methodology for this project, if you haven’t heard it already! (Yes, I’m a geek; there’s a spreadsheet behind it.)

    I also have made a major decision about this blankie. I am leaving in a couple of weeks for a vacation and I will be spending approximately 28 hours in the car, plus lots of free knitting time in the evenings. However much knitting I get done during that time, when I get home, I think I am going to call it DONE. It’s definitely not wide enough now, but hopefully it will be by then. I really have been futzing with this baby blanket since February, between deciding on a design and trying and frogging many things. I am SO longing to make a felted hat… to feel the mushing of the wool in my hands and to create something warm for winter. Plus, the baby for whom this blanket is for is due to arrive at the end of this month. I really don’t want this to be his Christmas gift.

    So, I hope my plan works, and that it will be big enough when I get back. Wish me luck!



    It was knit night at my house, and I had lots of help:

    Zoe helps me knit
    This is my knitting helper, Zöe, who is never far behind when I pull out my knitting, never wants me to get any stitching done! As soon as I pull my knitting out, she always jumps up on the couch for some scratchin’! I always seem to knit while sitting next to the sofa in my den, so I have a place to fling my knitting stuff while I work.


    Diana adds a couple rows to her scarf

    Diana even got in on the knit action tonight. We watched the movie Aquamarine tonight and she added about 5 rows to her scarf. She keeps asking, “When will it be done, mom?” to which I reply that the rule of thumb for a scarf is to make it as long as the wearer is tall. Problem is, she’s been working on the same scarf for two years, and has gotten lots taller in that time! Haha.


    Go, Eunny!

    Fall Interweave Knits

    I just received my copy of the Fall Interweave Knits in the mail yesterday. (I find it ironic that the subheading says 29 knits to chase the chill, and it was in the 90s yesterday!) It was the debut issue of their new editor, Eunny Jang, who is a fabulous knitter and I love her work, and I was wondering how she’d do with the magazine. She’s so young, and it’s a huge job for anyone, let alone someone who is only in her mid-20s! But so far, I am impressed. (I’m also pulling for her as a local girl… she’s a DC-area native.)

    There are several projects I want to make from this, including Anne Budd’s Tyrolean socks and Teva Durham’s concentric vest. The magazine explores the concept of organic yarns, and features lots of projects that include cables in the design. There’s also a cute grouping of hats and a really neat looking pair of fingerless mitts I’d like to try. Also, if ever I do get the courage to do a sweater, quite a few of them in this issue are sized up to my size. I actually loved this magazine this time! I only wish there had been a cable-y throw in the issue to complement the sweaters.

    Wow, I had a lot to write about tonight. More next time!

  • Knittin’ with Rhoda

    fingerless gloves made with sock yarn

    Hi again! Today I had a really nice visit with my knit buddy, Rhoda, who has been recovering from foot surgery. It was the first time we’ve seen each other since before Memorial Day, which is saying a lot because we’ve been getting together to knit every couple of weeks for about a year now. I often complain that I don’t get out much and don’t have much contact with the knitting community other than in cyberspace. Rhoda is my one really big exception and it is a wonderful one, to just sit and knit. Sure there is always a bit of show and tell, and sharing of resources. Today, she brought a copy of “Creative Knitting” Magazine (why I have not yet subscribed to this one, I don’t know, but I LOVE it!) and I had the Fall issue of “Knit Simple” (which I am finding increasingly underwhelming) and the Summer issue of “Interweave Knits“. (I am dying to receive the fall issue, which I hope will be coming soon!)

    LOOK what Rhoda brought me! Six weeks of recuperation from surgery meant lots of knitting time, I guess! And she brought me these adorable fingerless gloves! The pattern is Steph’s Sock Yarn Fingerless Gloves, and the yarn is Knitpicks Dancing. They are cotton, wool, nylon and elastic, which means they are warm, but not too warm, and despite the fact that they look small they are very stretchy. This is the kind of thing that is great to wear on a morning that is chilly but not freezing, and LOOK! There’s purple in them! Thank you, Rhoda!!

    While we sat and knat, we listened to Cast On, which continued the Camp for grownups theme, and to Lime & Violet, which had us laughing, but I did have to be careful that my 5-year-old wasn’t in the room!

    I did also re-purchase the Jordana Paige Satchel in Grape. I can’t wait for it to get here!!

    I may be a bit out of touch this week, but I’ll try to provide a blankie update by Friday. Ciao for now!