On Friday we received the latest special issue from Interweave Knits: Knitscene Accessories. The issue features 35 accessory projects that have me thinking about my holiday knitting already! The issue also features lessons on entrelac, fair isle and intarsia.
Here are some highlights to inspire you…
Colorwork Accessories
I love simple colorwork for gifts. It impresses your friends while not causing you to poke your eyeballs out. This issue has some wonderful examples.
Check Slouch by Triona Murphy
I would use Stonehedge Fiber Mill Shepherd’s Wool for a wonderfully soft option or Brooklyn Tweed Shelter for a truly amazing play on color.
Equilibrium Cowl by Carolyn Kern
This would actually make a wonderful fair isle class and could be your first crack at fair isle, if you haven’t tackled it before. This cowl is two sided using both chevron and herringbone – two of my favorite patterns! Shepherd’s Wool would again be a wonderful option for this, but I am thinking two amazing colors of Spud and Chloe Sweater.
Lokken Kerchief by Megi Burci
Self striping yarn to the rescue! This project is part modular knitting, part the magic of self striping yarn. I am really curious to see what happens with different color selections. Noro Taiyo Sock would make a light weight summery option and has a wonderful color selection. You could also use one of our Regia self striping sock options.
Reservoir Mitts by Allyson Dykhuizen
My love for entrelac is probably well known, and these little mitts combine the entrelac pattern with amazing little details. You probably have enough sock yarn scraps in your stash to work the solid color. Pair this with a multi from Miss Babs or Lorna’s Laces.
Amazing Texture
This issue certainly offers a variety of gorgeous textured accessories, from cables to garter and twisted stitch ribbing. Here are my favorites:
Kilkenny Tam by Marianne Hobart
A little pom pom action and subtle cables makes this a super fun cap to give as a gift or keep at home for yourself this winter. I recommend a yarn with a little drape such as the Fibre Co Organik.
Inishbofin Cowl by Heidi Todd Kozar
A simple cable chart worked in the round makes this a fast and easy project. Grab a luxury yarn for a wonderful holiday gift or a semi solid hand dye for interesting color. I like Rowan Lima as a super soft option.
Lace Accessories!
The nice thing about a bit of lace is that it keeps you engaged in the project but doesn’t require too much attention. This issue has a nice selection of projects that have “some” lace but not so much that you need to rent a quiet hotel room for a week in order to get through the chart.
Brazel Beret by Katya Frankel
I love a one skein project, and this is just perfect for gifties! I am thinking one for each of my girlfriends. Manos del Uruguay Maxima is the perfect kettle dye yarn for this project, and it comes in so many amazing saturated colors.
Zora Shawl by Mindy Wilkes
This shawlette was designed in one of our favorites – Miss Babs Yummy 3 ply! You could also grab some of the new Fiberists Audubon Sport.
Mountain Nettle Shawl by Emma Welford
Is it bad that I recognized this yarn the second that I saw a photo of this project? I have swatched this very color of the Fibre Co Acadia for so many projects, that I could recognize it anywhere. I think my quest for the perfect project for this yarn has just ended. This is a simple project with lots of stockinette stitch and a cute edging to finish it off.
Marion Socks by Michaela Moores
I won’t lie. These aren’t going to be a gift for anyone other than ME. I can just see these in a cute pair of mary jane shoes or a nice bootie for fall. Luckily, the simple lace pattern will make them faster to work than they look at first glance. I would probably use Miss Babs Northumbria Fingering for a durable sock option or a solid color of Regia Sock for super duper durability.
My Hands Down Favorite
Two years ago we knitted the Destroyed Cowl as a knitalong on New Year’s Day. These mitts remind me so much of this pattern that I might have to make a matching set! The best part about them is that they use Rowan Lima – an amazingly soft alpaca yarn that I have been really itching to use. They use just one ball! Fall knitalong perhaps?