Magazines . . .

So I treated myself  to some knitting magazines.  One I subscribe to: the Knitter's Magazine was a gift subscription (I'm still debating whether or not to renew).  The other two, Knit Simple and Knitscene, were bought at the news stand.

Knitting Mags

There's nothing like a little inspiration on a cool fall day . . . 

Magazines Galore

Well, maybe not that many . . . but there are knitting magazines.  A lovely surprise arrived in the mail the other day.  I ripped open the envelope and found the summer issue of Knitter's Magazine.

Spring and Summer Knitter's Magazine

Back in May, my brother-in-law had gifted me a year's subscription for my birthday (perhaps I had neglected to mention it)?  He had included the spring issue, but it takes time to process new subscriptions.  There was a chance I would miss the summer issue. . .  Happily I was wrong.

And while we're on the topic of magazines, I managed to pick up the fall issue of Knit Simple (still my favorite knitting magazine 'cuz of the lovely projects--both simple and stylish-- and the large sizing).  There are some nice sweaters (although with the current heat wave, it's hard to think about sweaters).

Fall 2010 of Knit Simple

There are some nice items in the issue, but my fave are the cardigans.  The one I absolutely love is worked in the round.  Check it out:

Seed Stitch Cardigan

Ah, the knitter's perennial lament: so much to make; so little time.

Happy crafting :)

Today's Word Is . . .

Organization!  Yup, last weekend I was busy organizing all my knitting stuff--books, yarn, needles.  I think I've shared my "knitting corner" in the past (check it out here ).  I still use the same area as "my knit spot", complete with floor lamp and portable CD player (yeah, no MP2 players yet).  Actually my little side table is the cleanest its ever been in a long, long time.

Knitting Corner

The mess behind the table (i.e. the computer room), has finally been organized.  Sadly an old vacuum cleaner was sacrificed in the process (at least it lasted for over 15 years before cacking).  At least there is now more visible floor space. 

First off, all my books are now neatly awaiting perusal on a shelf (which is just a basic book shelf whose lower levels house the kids' numerous board games and puzzles).

Knitting Shelf

To the left is my sewing box, followed by all my knitting booklets (mostly by Bernat and some Patons), all my knitting books, my red binder of internet patterns and all my knitting magazines. 

Booklets and Books

It's not a huge collection, but it is a good one.  I've tried to purchase those items that I would find  most useful.  Sometimes I don't make great choices and other times I score a winning collection of patterns.  Sometimes my needs as a knitter have changed so much that what I thought was good isn't currently a necessity.  But books are loved in our house, so on the shelf they wait (I haven't shown you the other bookshevles in the computer room and never mind the other three in the living room.  Have we got books!) 

Binder and Magazines

And my binder is so full of patterns, I've had to resort to using file folders (and I haven't even printed off all the patterns in my Ravelry library).  Most of the patterns came from the internet (gotta love free!).

I'm still lacking a stitch dictionary.  I think that should be part of any knitting library (although I do have a crochet stitch dictionary that my mom sent me--the last of her crafting stuff).  Hopefully I'll have that rectified by the end of the month (eagerly awaiting the arrival of a book order).

To the right of the large shelving unit are two plastic drawer units.  One holds scrapbooking tools.  The other now holds my knitting tools: all my needles including my new Boye collection, my hooks and small yarn collections (mostly sock yarn and a few ribbon yarns).

Knitting Needles and Hooks

Small Collections of Various Yarns

In front of the drawer units are two tubs of yarn.  And yes, acrylic is my yarn of choice but there is some real wool (Briggs and Little), some cotton and even bamboo.

Tubs of Yarny Goodness

Softee Chunky and Supervalue

Briggs and Little, Vanna's Choice and Other Odds and Ends

So how do you organize your crafting stuff?

A Little R and R

So to soothe my rattled brain and replenish my spirits, I picked up the latest copy of Knit Simple's Spring/Summer edition (now that I know where to find it in town).

Cover Showing Ruffle Trim Tank

There are a few cardigans, but the one below is my fave.  I like its swingy design.

Swing Cardigan

It looks like its knit in one piece from the top down, but is in fact worked in pieces.  Thankfully I've gotten over my fear of seaming (although it's not my favorite thing to do, but it's better than weaving in ends).

While cardigans are my fave garment to make, I also enjoy making tank tops. I think it's the simple construction and the lack of sleeves; in other words, it's usually a quick project.  And this issue has no shortage of tanks.  Lots of cute options, including the pretty pink tank on the cover.

Lace Rib Shell

Lace Dress

The orange item above is actually a dress, but it should be easy to shorten it, thereby making it a tank.

I must say that Knit Simple has tried to improve their website.  I noticed they now have additional photos of their projects on their website (the feature is called "Close Up").  The more pictures, the better!  Different views can help a knitter decide if a particular item will suit her body type.  Also, additional photos can offer a better view of details.  My only "complaint" is that it would be helpful to see the clothing item on a real person (but that's asking for too much, isn't it?).

By the way, my crocuses are in full bloom! 

Lovin' the wonderful splash of colour amidst the faded, dried-up remains of last year's bounty.  How's your weekend?

The Perfect Knitting Magazine?

So many knitting mags out there in fiberland.  Which ones do you like?

Judging from the response of other knitters in the cyber world, Interweave Knits seems to be the fave for inspiration and challenging projects--perhaps a little too challenging for me.  There's also Vogue Knitting, but I always found many of their designs too "airy-fairy" and/or unwearable (and their sizes often exclude the bigger woman).  There are others such as Creative Knitting and Knitter's, but there aren't enough interesting or stylish designs that grab my attention (matronly is the word that comes to mind).

Then there's Knit Simple .  For an advanced beginner such as myself, their designs are generally do-able and plus-sized.  And I can usually find enough items I want to make to warrant its purchase. 

Except this time, I couldn't find it!  In my little town, it is often hard to find niche magazines (even at the bookstore, there is a teeny magazine selection and forget about crafting books).  The places that used to sell Knit Simple didn't have it anymore.  Eeeek!  What to do?  Search online for a Canadian source ?  Drive to Halifax?  For a magazine?

Than I found a copy--the last copy!  In a grocery store of all places.

Winter 2009/10 Issue

So happy!  Did my happy dance . . . then perused the issue for projects to queue.  Such as the beret on the cover (I've been on a beret kick lately).

This issue had lots of lovely jackets and cardigans.  Isn't the one below pretty?

Shawl Collar Jacket

And what about this one?  It's knitted bottom up, so there'd be almost no seaming.

Striped Cardigan

Whatcha think?  I'm a girl with simple tastes.  And I'm not looking for knitterly challenges requiring complicated manual dexterity (and we won't talk about mental feats of knitterly mathematics).   

And I bought something else too.  Something full of yarny goodness.

Bernat Jr. Jacquards

There's nylon in that ball of colour--only 10%, but me thinks it'll make a neat sock experiment.  How long would it take to make a pair of socks in DK weight?  Faster than something in Fine weight on 2.25mm, right?  The search is on for the right pattern (in ribbed of course).

I feel inspired and renewed (after a not so inspiring week).  Where do you find your crafting inspirations?  What gets your crafting mojo going?