The spring issue of Knitscene is here! Fortunately they seem to have decided, much like us, that it’s way too early to be knitting tiny cotton sleeveless tops and they have given us some sensible sweaters that we can wear right now – and even some hats and mittens!
(Well, OK, there are a few little sleeveless tops. They’re pretty cute… Maybe we can wear them over something?)
This issue’s featured designer is Mercedes Tarasovich-Clark (have you knit her hilarious Incognito cowl yet? Go on, hurry up! We’ll wait.)
OK, now that you’re done with that, let’s get to the patterns!
The sweet A-line styled Fleurette Camisole (the first of the aforementioned little sleeveless tops) is inspired by historical embroidered garments. Put on a Jane Austen movie, knit it up in Elsebeth Lavold Hempathy, and wait for warmer weather.
Rock your inner French gamine in the Seberg Sweater with its stripe-patterned boatneck and curvy shaping! With some ballet flats and cropped pants, you’ll be ready for stardom. This is done in a DK weight yarn knit at 20 stitches over 4 inches, so you have a lot of yarn choices for this – the bright colors available in Stonehedge Fiber Mills Shepherd’s Worsted will make this pop! For something subtler, try The Fibre Company Savannah DK.
The retro-styled Beulah Cardigan will be adorable with jeans now and over a spring dress later in the year – the scallop embroidery detailing is super cute! Knit this in a fingering weight yarn like Spud & Chloe Fine or Miss Babs Yummy 2-Ply.
Knitscene asked two of our favorite designers, Kate Gagnon Osborn and Courtney Kelley, the question “What would you design for yourself?” The answer is in the next story, “Selfishly Striped.” Kate & Courtney put together a collection featuring bold stripes rendered in muted colors, creating a fresh & contemporary look.
The Manayunk Cardigan has a classic shape and great skinny stripes – knit in The Fibre Company Terra, this will be a piece you’ll want to wear all the time.
Pretty chevron patterning in the Grays Ferry Cowl is rendered in soft and luxurious Road to China Light by The Fibre Company. This would make a lovely gift… except these designs are all about making things for ourselves!
Everybody needs a slouchy striped hat! The East Falls Hat in The Fibre Company Acadia combines colors and textures in its stripes, set off with a few buttons. (Hmm, I think I have two colors of Acadia that I was going to knit a different hat with…)
The Roxborough Dolman sweater will be soft and drapy when knit in The Fibre Company Canopy Fingering – the loose and flowing fabric is created by knitting on a larger needle than usual for this yarn.
The next story, “Six Mandolin Lane,” features “knits with quiet charm” and “yarns with delightful dye.”
The Averill Vest displays a great use of variegated hand dyed yarn – try Miss Babs Yummy 3-ply or Neighborhood Fiber Co. Studio Sport for this sleeveless top (hey wait! it’s another sleeveless top!) with its pretty lace back detail.
Another highlight in the handpainted yarn category is the Brindle Pullover, which uses a textured slip stitch pattern to blend the variegated yarn perfectly. The flattering scoopneck silhouette will work up nicely in Neighborhood Fiber Company Maisonette DK or Miss Babs Northumbria DK.
A selection of accessories round out this story – make the pretty beaded-edge Natalie Mitts or the striped Nixie Shawl in your favorite hand-dyed fingering weight yarn.
The patterns in the “Covered in Color” story are all about duplicate stitch – an easy way to add colorful details to your knitting! The Secret Song Mittens with their stitched-on heart motifs are especially cute! Knit them up in Manos del Uruguay Rittenhouse Merino 5-ply for snuggly warmth.
The last story in the issue, “Oh. Ecru.” focuses on sleek and simple designs in neutral colors. The Panthera Vest has a curved front hem and pockets created with short-row shaping, knit in soft Savannah from The Fibre Company.
The dramatic A-line shape of the Flying Buttress Tank calls for a cool and crisp yarn like Elsebeth Lavold Hempathy to set off its dragon scale pattern.
From stripes to neutrals to stitched-on color, there’s plenty of patterns to suit your taste! Which one will you knit first?