#theresechynoweth

[professorpski]

Interweave Knits, Fall 2023

This issue has several cable sweaters perfect for colder weather and some oversized wraps, plus a color-work hat that is charming. The total is 4 pullovers, 3 cardigans, 3 wraps, 2 hats, 1 vest and 1 blanket.

The cover features the Mim Sweater by Debi Maige, only a 2 out of 4 for difficulty despite the slipped stitched color-work pattern. It is made in a yarn weighted only 1, Illimani Yarn Sabri which is a blend of cotton with a little bit of baby alpaca.

The grey pullover with cables and set-in sleeves is Silver Plume Pullover is my favorite sweater of this issue. It was designed by Therese Chynoweth and is a 3 out of 4 for difficulty. Its cables broaden as they move upwards, a nice way of creating more attention towards the face as well as creating more apparent width as you move from the waist to the shoulders. The yarn is Berroco Lanas Light, a fingering-weight yarn of pure wool.

Cilin Sweater in pale purple is knit in one piece with the sleeves knitted out sideways and is also a 3 out of 4 for difficulty. Vera Marcu designed it in DK weight yarn, Purl Soho Good Wool. Its ribbing which changes to cables as it moves upwards also moves the eye towards the face and broadens the upper body.

Memoir Cardigan by Evelyn Siatra in a pumpkin color also boasts cables, but not buttonholes. Since my whole purpose in donning a woolly sweater is to stay warm, and this one is made of Juniper Moon Farm Patagonia Organic Merino, I like cardigans to close all the way. One could change the front width and add buttonholes to the band, or just move to a less chilly latitude I guess ;-) The other cardigan you see in grey with buttons is a reprint, which you obtain via a QR code and a download, of the Essential Cardigan by Laura Grutzeck.

There are several interesting wraps including Revel Light Shawl by Jennifer Miller Comstock which uses several different colors of blue and green in The Fiber Seed Sprout Sock yarn, and is 2 out of 4. The pinks and purples of Stack Bond Wrap is done with a 6-row windowpane stitch and some knitting below in Manos del Uruguay Allegria a lace-weight yarn, designed by Jennifer Kent.

My favorite accessory is the Tilted Hat by Laura Barker which here uses two shades of grey in worsted weight Hazel Knits Cadence merino yarn, a 3 out of 4, but I think would be worth the effort. You can imagine a lot of nice contrasting pairs of colors for this one.

The patterns are the highlight in this issue, as the one article on yokes is a basic introduction, and then there is a bit on the fall yarns used and on new fall notions.

Find it at your local yarn store, or online here: https://www.interweave.com/product-category/knitting/knitting-magazines/knitting-magazines-interweave-knits/

[professorpski]

Interweave Knits, Spring 2023

This Café Collection offers 3 pullovers, 2 cardigans, a poncho, 2 wraps, a scarf, and fingerless mitts in both lighter weight yarns and some wool ones too, a mix that fits spring. The cover offers the Caturra Top by Rachel Brockman, which features a cable and lace panel running up the front, and then textured sleeves. It is a 2 out of 4 for difficulty and comes in the Universal Yarn’s Truva which is a blend of cashmere and cotton.

The Robusta Scarf by Kimberly Kalnocki is the perfect project if you would like to show off a color contrast with brioche stitch. This one is done in two shades of Berrocco’s Modern Cotton which is actually half modal rayon. It is a 3 out of 4 for difficulty. The brioche bind-off article is a bit disappointing as it explains which serve what purpose, so how to choose one, but does not actually explain the techniques themselves. For which you have to head for your knitting reference book.

Cascara Sweater has an all over blend of cables and brioche stitch and is a bit harder, showing up as a 3 out of 4 for difficulty. Evelyn Siatra designed it in Drops’ Nord yarn, an alpaca/wool/acrylic blend. Cortado Pullover is also a 3 out of 4 and offers a v-neckline echoed all down the front via a center lace panel and then appears on the sleeves. Therese Chynoweth designed it in Universal Yarn’s Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash which is a mostly wool blend.

Also a 3 out of 4 is Affogato is a long cardigan with patch pockets which buttons shut and has a large ribbed collar.  It has a medley of cabling all over and is made in Harrisville Design’s Daylight which is a wool yarn made up mostly of Cormo fleece.