We have booties!

What's a baby sweater without booties, right? In the past, I've always used the same pattern (it's a good one, but I can't find the link right now), and while I like it, it was getting a little boring. Back in October, I bought 50 Baby Bootees to Knit by Zoe Mellor, which is awesome. There are so many cute booties to knit! I wanted something that had some garter stitch, to match the sweater, but all of the garter stitch booties seemed to use dk weight yarn, and I wanted to use the rest of the Lorna's Laces.

This particular pair was made using the Anchor Bootees pattern, which calls for intarsia and stripes. I liked the shape of these though, and decided to knit them plain. They were so fast and fun, I'm sure I'll make more of these.

I hit Halcyon yesterday to cash in on a gift certificate and picked up the new issue of Vogue Knitting, without even flipping through it. Generally, Vogue Knitting is a little hit or miss for me, but I can count on at least two or three patterns I'd like to make. Sadly, I can't say that for this issue. First of all, I flipped through [wait, I can give you an exact number] 33 pages of advertising, articles disguised as advertising, and a couple of short pieces before I even reached the patterns. As for the patterns, there were a couple that I thought were interesting, but don't see myself wearing. One is the cover project, by Norah Gaughan. I love how the cables come together and look like snowflakes, and I love the collar, but I just don't do the whole cropped top thing. The other is the red dress featured in New York Noir. In the Northern Lights section, there is an extremely bulky, oversized cable sweater that actually looks really comfortable and I may make someday. I think that's actually the only thing I would make. Even Michael Kors let me down in this issue, with his contribution of a shiny, crocheted minidress. The two sections that I thought were complete wastes were the men's section, and the freaking intarsia extravaganza that is "The Subject is Roses." The men's sweaters... I may be rendered speechless here. Most of us have a hard time convincing a man to try stripes, or cables, or maybe branching out from the gray/black/navy/brown palette. Yet Vogue Knitting brazenly includes a striped red sweater with a giant intarsia handprint on it. AND, an asymetrical cardigan that left my mouth hanging open. And the roses, oh god the roses. Not since 1995 have I seen such reckless use of intarsia on a sweater. Is this look seriously coming back? Are the nineties already retro? It looks like the only knitting magazine I can buy without flipping through first is Interweave. I suppose it's just as well, since I have enough magazines to cripple someone if they fell over.

Next up, time to make that second mitten before winter realizes it's past due and gives an icy whallop to remind us.

Something Cool

I've been meaning to post this for days! I found a nice new online knitting magazine called knitonthenet. In particular, I was quite taken with this little number. I'm not sure how practical it is, but it looks like something that could get a lot of wear in spring and fall, when a sweater alone is enough. Or even something I could keep at work, where I am always cold. I'll have to keep my eye on this magazine.

Another cool thing: frogged corrugated ribbing! I guess I should have known that this would happen, but I was surprised when the pink yarn just started unravelling without my having to do the white at the same time. Saved a lot on tangles. I also frogged the hair scarf. My progress was pitiful, though I did take a photo (haven't taken it off the camera yet). In the words of a very wise knitter, "Life's too short to knit something you hate." Her reward for showing me the light is the ball of Kidsilk Night I've come to despise. I'm sure she will do something much better with it.

So that means that holiday knitting is complete. I think my first order of business will be a hat for myself, as it's getting cold here, and I could use one. I also need a new pair of mittens. All I have now is a crappy fleece pair (good for fall but useless in winter), and a heavy-duty thrummed pair (more suitable for brutally frigid February). I'm envisioning Malabrigo for both. I'll have a date with the ballwinder and swift tonight! I have a knit date tomorrow, and need to start a project!

Still Being Good

Well, actually, I've cheated a very little since my last post and gotten a few rows done. Not really enough to warrant a picture. It occurred to me this evening that I could easily satisfy my creative urges with sewing, but I ran out of steam after realizing that I don't have the right size zipper. (What possessed me to buy a 21" zipper for a skirt???)

Anyway, I was thinking we could have a little discussion about the new Knitty. Overall, I was impressed with this edition. I was more impressed with the sweaters, and personally felt there could have been more. Especially since the last issue was all accessories. My favorites?

Cactus Flower is so pretty, and I love the look of the tweed and mohair. Unfortunately, I can't use mohair, and I can't think of another fiber that is comparable, with the possible exception of angora. The only problem with angora, as I see it, is that I've never seen any like Kidsilk Haze.

Isn't Ivy great? It's simple, work-appropriate, and looks fun to knit. This is going on my short list, I think. I've not actually seen a wrap sweater before that I wanted to wear! I might even make more than one for color options!

I like that Serrano is simple and spare, but I'm not sure if I would wear it. I don't usually buy tight cardigans, so why knit one? But you never can tell. I could be aching for a tight cardi in six months, and I'll turn to this one.

Is Avast not the perfect man's sweater? It's simple, classic, and has just a little bit of fun on it for the knitter. Plus... it's kinda sexy! I'd like to see my boyfriend in it!

I think that Sherwood is so adorable! I love the cables, I've never seen any quite like that in a sweater. I don't know if I would use Cotton Fleece for it, since in my experience, CF pills like all get out. I've been thinking of doing one in wool... maybe even matching ones for my nephews! I also have a tiny issue with the collar on this one. It looks a little shallow to me. I might even put a turtleneck on it.

I know there's a lot of blog buzz about Intolerable Cruelty, and come on! It's dead sexy! Would I ever wear it? No. Probably ten years ago, but not now! That doesn't mean I can't admire it though.

Lizard Ridge kicks ass. Love the way the colors play out, love the fun pattern, hate that I just finished a blanket and can't imagine doing another one right now. It might be neat though to plan to make this one for myself. I could follow the original intent of the pattern author and do a square now and then.

And, finally, Cable Net. These look awesome! I've really been getting into patterned socks, lately, and have been wanting to do something cabled.

So, that's my take! What did you all think?

Distractions

Why, yes! I am trying to distract you from the distinct lack of knitting content today. I've not so much as cast on for another square, nor have I swatched any of the fine new yarn I got recently. I have no good excuses... just somehow they days slithered through my fingers and I found myself here at Wednesday, without a stitch. I guess it happens sometimes.

I was quite excited yesterday to open my mailbox and find the Summer issue of Interweave! I like many of the projects in this issue, most notably the Marseilles Pullover, Cambridge Jacket, and Eyelet Chemise. The baby cardigan set is so cute, I wish someone I know would become pregnant so I could make one. I am also intrigued by the use of plastic canvas in Veronik Avery's bag, and I love the resulting shape.

Anyone else subscribe and have opinions?