Knitting Summer.

Am I right to assume that 99% of the people who read this blog knit in climates where it gets HOT in the summer? ...and where we've all considered giving up knitting (gasp!) or simply knitting really small things (socks, mittens, hats...to, you know, get ahead of the holiday gift rush) or traveling someplace far away where it's cooler to get through the heat. Over the years, I've tried all of those things (last summer I knit a record three pairs of socks and a few lace shawls).

But my true knitting love is sweaters. And even though it's hot in Atlanta, we have air conditioning figured out, which means it gets cold inside. sweaters are comfortable (if not required).

So I was excited to see so many fun-to-knit (and fun-to-wear!) sweaters in the latest Interweave Knits. And when Jessica showed up to work the afternoon shift at the shop and said "did you see the new Interweave is here?" and I said "yeah" and we both said "let's match up patterns and yarn" [am I also right to assume that 99% of the people who read this blog completely get that conversation...and wish they'd been part of it?!] ...it was a lovely afternoon!

the cover, with all of our yarn selections

Here are our top three picks - pattern and yarn suggestions:

First up, the Torch Lily Tee (Jessica kicked off this whole thing when she favorited the pattern on ravelry last weekend). We think the Rowan Silky Tweed would be a lovely match. And both of us think the suggested modifications to make this a cardigan instead of a tee might make it more versatile (even if that does mean you're knitting back and forth, purling the wrong side :-). Oh, and did I mention the construction is top-down and seamless?

Next, the Cobblestone Vest. I suggested this one because I'm knitting a vest in the suggested Euroflax and loving it. Yes, the yarn seems a bit stiff, but it softens up as it's worked. and I love that the finished piece will be so easy to care for. Cobblestone has an interesting mix of lace and stockinette (not too boring to knit!) and the wrap-around waist seems flattering to many figures.

And finally...the Nantucket Vest. We're completely smitten. Feather and fan is a classic lace pattern and the construction - a knit circle, with different needle sizes used to create the circle, joined with a simple rectangle of stockinette - oh.my.wow. Maggiknits maggi's linen seems like a great substitute for the recommended Ripple - similar gauge, thick/thin texture and fiber content. 

Did I mention we're completely smitten? yep, enough to suggest this as our next knit along! The sizing (three sizes, based on your back measurement) is generous...and therefore forgiving. And we have many colors of the maggi's in stock. Look for more details, but we're tentatively planning to cast on in June (giving everyone enough time to finish Summer Flies once. or twice!)

What kind of a summer knitter are you? could we tempt you to try a sweater?

Spring 2010 Interweave Knits.

The latest issue of Interweave Knits (IK) officially hits the newstands tomorrow, but it arrived in the shop last week. And even though spring seems far away - what!! a rain/snow mix forecasted for tomorrow? yikes!! - flipping through these pages... I feel a bit of warm sunshine. And a lot of knitting inspiration to use the beautiful cottons, cotton blends, and even sugar cane (that's right, sugar cane!) that we've been stocking in the shop these past few weeks. Here are a few of our favorite patterns with plenty of yarn p*rn!

First up, the New Lace, "Arty, heritage-steeped, and fresh all over again".

I love the lacy Handkerchief Tee. We have the recommended Debbie Bliss Prima (a bamboo/merino blend) in all the colors.

And the Double V Cardigan would be lovely in the Prima, or maybe the new Debbie Bliss Amalfi (a cotton/viscose/linen/silk blend).

Last in the lace category, the Rose Window Beret. Knit in Prima or Amalfi, or even Sublime DK (a merino/silk/cashmere blend), it would be perfect for those barely-warm spring days.

My favorite section of the magazine is Texture Goes Green with plenty of cables and interesting construction techniques.

Like the Aran Necklace Camisole. It starts with a beautiful cable that sits at the neck and the body is picked up from that and knit down so it's seamless (my favorite construction technique!). We have the recommended Berocco Naturlin (linen/rayon) in all the colors. And it's beautiful. This one is next up in my queue.

Or the Braided Hood Tunic.  Knit in a worsted weight yarn, those cables are going to pop. Think cotton, like Debbie Bliss Pure Cotton, or the super soft Blue Sky Alpacas Dyed Cotton - again, there are dozens of colors.

The Ringlet Tank designed by Connie Chang Chinchio is also in my queue. I plan to use Prima. But another customer chose the new Araucania Ruca Multy - that's the sugarcane - hers is going to be gorgeous!

Last up in this section is Betty's Tee. Taking advantage of entrelac techniques (knitting on the diagonal), the sweater shaping is just.plain.cool. And it's knit in my new-favorite Rowan Summer Tweed (silk/cotton). [as I was typing this post, today's issue of Knitting Daily arrived in my inbox - and the feature article is about Betty's Tee - check it out here.]

Finally, from the Side by Side section, the Transverse Cardigan - knit side to side in one piece.  This would be fabulous in the summer cottons, or the Summer Tweed. or even the Alpaca with a Twist Temptation (we have all seven colors).  We also have an extensive collection of one-of-a-kind buttons that would be perfect for finishing.






...and now the promised yarn p*rn - a small sampling of the yarns mentioned above.

blue sky dyed cotton. 100% cotton. worsted weight. lots of colors. very soft.

rowan summer tweed. silk/cotton. worsted weight. gorgeous texture.

araucania ruca multy. sugarcane! DK weight. soft and shiny.

alpaca with a twist temptation. alpaca :-). worsted weight. soft colors. soft hand. lovely drape.

...and last but certainly not least, debbie bliss. too many colors to count!

prima. bamboo/merino. DK weight. lovely sheen.

amalfi. cotton/viscose/linen/silk. DK weight. nice texture.

pure cotton. 100% cotton. worsted weight. easy to knit with. really soft.