close knit: the neighborhood yarn shop


Sunday, October 9, 2011

Loving


I have a few more notable publications to share with you before all of our fall yarn starts rolling in.

The Best of Knitscene is pretty great.  It includes several of the most popular designs from Knitscene since they first started up in 2005.  I think of Knitscene as the cool little sister of Interweave Knits.  Here are some I think you might like.

The Central Park Hoodie is perhaps one of the most popular designs out there, with more than 4000 projects listed on Ravelry.  It's knit with Tahki Donegal Tweed, which we have in nice supply.  Our colors are a bit more tame and traditionally tweedy, but still fabulous.
The Geodesic Cardigan features some eye-catching pleats up the fronts.  It is knit with lace weight, but on size 6 needles, so don't be afraid.
I love the Kenobi Jacket, which was originally designed as a men's sweater jacket.  Doesn't it look like you could just live in this?  It's knit with Berroco Ultra Alpaca doubled, so the fabric is squishy and cozy.
The Phiaro Scarf is perhaps not for everyone.  I love the dropped stitch action, though.  It would be a great gift, and a surprisingly quick knit, too.
I have always been partial to the Pinch Hat in Classic Elite Ariosa.  I could take or leave the brooch, but I'll take the hat for sure.
Riding to Avalon was another of the all-time favorites from Knitscene.  This sweater is begging to be knit with Elsbeth Lavold Silky Wool or Rowan Felted Tweed.
I feel like I'm seeing dolman (or batwing) sweaters all over the place.  The Berkshire Dolman Sweater includes a cozy turtleneck and nice deep ribbed cuffs, and it's knit with the very economical Cascade Eco Wool, making it even more appealing.

In addition to some of their best patterns, the book contains some very helpful articles on triangular shawls, reading lace charts, and creating and counting cables.  There are also some nice profiles on some of the designers that have made Knitscene what it is today, including Kate Gagnon Osbourne, Connie Chang Chinchio, and Cecily Glowik MacDonald.

Clara Parkes has also contributed an article about yarn weights.  Maybe that doesn't sound very exciting, but the article is really informative and will give you some valuable insight into yarn choices and substitutions.  (Her other books, the The Knitter's Book of Wool and The Knitter's Book of Yarn, are also really interesting.) 


Knit.Wear is also hot off the presses.  I love this.  Love.  My copy is already a little dog-eared.  The styling is really clean and minimal, which I find very appealing.  The designs focus on a few key elements, and the results are really stunning.  This is the premier issue, and I really hope there will be more.

Pam Allen has a great piece featuring one basic design at four different gauges.  It's cool to see how changing the weight of the yarn and adding a few key elements can really change a sweater.

On the Edge sows how good ol' stockinette stitch can really show off a detail, be it cables or lace.
The fitted jacket is knit with Aslan Trends Del Sur, and the capelet would be fabulous in Berocco Peruvia Quick or Cascade 128 Superwash.
The Reversible Scarf Tank would be lovely in Tahki Cotton Classic, and the red cabled hoodie is knit with Manos del Uruguay Rittenhouse 5-Ply, one of my favorite yarns at the shop.
This pretty Basket Yoke Pullover by Wendy Bernard looks comfy and stylish at the same time.  It's knit in Berroco Ultra Alpaca, which we are patiently awaiting in the next week or so.
Surprisingly, I like this little ruffle sleeve top.  It would be amazing in Cascade Ultra Pima.  But longer, always longer for me.
The dramatic Multi-Drape Kimono from Annie Modesitt is made with Blue Sky Alpacas Alpaca Silk.  So luxurious.
Eunny Jang's Exposed Seam Pullover is not even on the book's Ravelry page yet, but I adore it.  Only six balls of Soft Linen?  Yes, please.
The photos of Amy Christoffer's bulky Selvedge Cardigan do not do it justice.  Check out the bonus photos for more details of the short row shaping on the back hem.
This wacky little Chatoyant Vest features a slightly fulled (felted) collar.  The rest of the vest, knit in Lamb's Pride Worsted, is left unfulled.  Interesting...
We are eagerly awaiting our big fall orders from Berroco and Cascade.  If you have been waiting, please give us a ring later on this week and we can let you know what we have in stock.  In the meantime, take a look at some of our great books and magazines and start planning!

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