CEY: knitscene

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New Knitscene

I admit it - I'm kind of a girly-girl. Pink is my favorite color, I love skirts/dresses and I can’t help but oohh and ahhh over anything with a ruffle on it.

So when the new issue of knitscene arrived on my desk, I just about passed out. Right there on the cover was a super cute tank top with ruffles! The best part? The ruffles are on the back of the racer-back tank, so you don’t feel like an overgrown doll.

The Mackinac Tank by Danille Chalson is knit with Firefly, a linen and rayon blend, perfect for summer layering pieces. The ruffles are knit as part of the back and are made with simple decreases and a clever use of joining-as-you-go to reduce finishing.

I also really love the Lindell Tee by Cassie Castillo.

Knit in Classic Silk, it's a short sleeved tee with a deep scoop neck and a slightly flared peplum, highlighted by a garter band at the waist. The body of the tee is knit in the round, so it's sure to be a fast and flattering knit. With its classic style and simple construction, this tee will take you from early spring to late fall.

At some point I'm going to have to learn to knit in my sleep, so I can make all the great designs that keep being published!

Photos courtesy of Interweave Knits. Photographer Nathan Rega of Harper Point Photography.

New Patterns in CEY Yarns!

Like most knitters, I can’t wait to see the newest issues of knitting magazines. I have been known to stalk my local bookstore and LYS to glimpse the newest issues. I may have even visited multiple locations to see who gets the new issues first.

When the newest issue of Knitscence came across my desk, I put everything aside to page through it. I noticed there were a few items knit from Classic Elite Yarns and I wanted to share them with you.

First up is the Morning Glory Mitts & Tam set from Catherine Shields. Catherine used MillaMia Naturally Soft Merino. The set features a cable and lace pattern that reminds me of the first buds of spring, pretty and delicate.

The twist of the Naturally Soft Merino is a perfect fit for this pattern. The twist and spring of the yarn allows the pattern to pop, while the warmth of the merino will keep you toasty from these last days of winter to the first chilly days of spring.

I always have a special place in my knitting queue for cardigans. And no exception to this is the Smokey Rose Cardigan by Maria Leigh. Knit in Soft Linen, this cardigan is a great layering piece that can be worn from early spring into late fall. And Soft Linen comes in so many great colorways, there is something that is sure to catch you eye.

Knit in one piece from the bottom-up, the simple cardigan features a flower stitch on the yoke that is accented by small buttons - clever!

All of these patterns are making me think about spring knitting - I foresee my WIP list growing.

Check with your local LYS to check out the newest issue of Knitscene.

Photos courtesy of Interweave Press, Nathan Rega, photographer.

What's on your Spring Queue?

Memorial Day is almost upon us, which means summer has almost (unofficially) begun! I hope that doesn't mean your needles and hooks are collecting dust...On my queue? Tremont by Talitha Kuomi in a to-be-determined palette of Provence, Fairfax (scroll down for the link) from Twist Collective in Brass Button, my hands-down favorite Solstice color, and the Emily Shawl in Firefly in the Mermaid colorway. Let me know what you're knitting in the comments or share it with our Ravelry group!

In the meantime, Classic Elite yarns are popping up in all my favorite magazines. See anything that catches your eye?

Vogue Crochet 2012 (Special Edition)

Circle Jacket, designed by Cristina Mershon, knit in Classic Elite Yarns Fresco and Pirouette; 8 (10, 13) hanks of Fresco in #5353 Strawberry and 4 (5, 7) balls of Pirouette in #4058 Alizarin. Photo by Rose Callahan.

Vogue Knitting Spring/Summer 2012

Slit Shoulder Top, designed by Margaux Hufnagel in Classic Elite Yarns Seedling; 3 (4, 4, 4, 5, 5) hanks in #4575 summer rain(gray), 2 (2, 3, 3, 3, 3) hanks each in #4501 Summer Cloud (white), #4581 Mint (green), and #4546 Glacier (blue). Photo by Rose Callahan.

Cap Sleeve Top, designed by Twinkle in Twinkle Handknits/Classic Elite Yarns Cruise; 9 (10, 11, 12) skeins in #35 Mint. Photo by Paul Amato for LVARepresents.com.

Knit Simple Spring/Summer 2012

Striped Boat-neck Sweater, designed by Mari Lynn Patrick in Classic Elite Yarns Provence; 3 (3, 4, 4, 4, 5) hanks in #2601 bleached white, 2 (2, 2, 3, 3, 3) hanks in #2650 New Moon. Photo by Rose Callahan.

I-cord Necklace, designed by Michele Muska in Classic Elite Yarns Chesapeake; 2 balls in #5919 carnation and small amounts each in #5955 Shanghai Red and #5925 Tokyo Rose. Photo by Rose Callahan.

Picot Trim Dress, designed by Jil Eaton in Jil Eaton/Classic Elite Yarns CottonTail; 4 (5, 6, 7, 9) hanks in #7554 Lavender, 1 hank in #7520 Aqua. Photo by Paul Amato for LVARepresents.com.

Interweave Knits, Summer 2012

Hana Shell by Ruth Garcia-Alcantud in Classic Elite Yarns Soft Linen:, 5 (6, 7, 8, 8) balls in #2256 Lavender. Photo by Carmel Zucker.

Knitscene Summer 2012

Robin Tank by Amy Christoffers, designed in Classic Elite Yarns Firefly; 4 (4, 5, 5, 5, 6) skeins of #7789 Pink Petunia. Photo by Nathan Rega, Harper Point Photography.

Merida Pullover by Talitha Kuomi, designed in Classic Elite Yarns Solstice; 6 (7, 7, 8, 10, 11, 11) skeins and #2338 Pine Cone, 3 (4, 4, 4, 5, 6, 6) skeins of #2358 Geranium. Photo by Nathan Rega, Harper Point Photography.

Twist Collective, Spring 2012

Fairfax, designed by Tanis Gray in Classic Elite Yarns Solstice; 9 (10, 12, 13, 14, 15) skeins in #2332 Magenta. Photo by Jane Heller.

Knitty, Spring 2012

Petal designed by Heather Hoefle in Classic Elite Wool Bam Boo; 7, 8, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13 skeins in #136 Mulberry.

Indie Knits in CEY, Magazine Edition

There is nothing I enjoy more than opening my mailbox (virtual or actual!) and seeing a new knitting magazine. Between the articles, the product spotlights and the patterns, each one provides me with hours of entertainment. I love seeing what independent designers can do with our yarns. Now that the Fall magazines are out (and even a Holiday magazine) what will you be crafting?

Vogue Knitting Fall, photos by Rose Callahan

Lace Cardi and Cowl(#18) by EJ Slayton, knit in Alpaca Sox Kettledyes

Striped Cardi (#16) and Striped Back Top (#17) by Twinkle, knit in Soft Chunky

Lace Shawl (#21) by Candace Eisner Strick. knit in Fresco

Lace Pattern Cardigan by Tonia Barry, knit in MountainTop Vista (Advertorial)

Interweave Knits Fall, photos by Carmel Zucker

Strobilus Pullover by Rachel Erin in Ariosa

Shadow Tuque by Lee Juvan, knit in new Fall yarn, Toboggan

KnitScene Fall, photo by Brad Bartholomew

Cornsilk Pullover by Amy Herzog, in Fresco

Twist Collective, photo by Jane Heller

Academia by Adriana Hernandez, knit in Fresco

Knitcircus, photo by Tracy Harris

Turning Point Shawl by Jessica Bolof, in Wool Bam Boo

Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts, photos by Joe Coca

Forever Scarf by Simona Merchant-Dest, knit in Princess

Rope and Nettle Vest by Angela Hahn, knit in Woodland from the Verde Collection

Lodi Office Knit-a-Long!

It's not often that one pattern lands on more than a few queues in the office. With our own gorgeous patterns to choose from, and so many fabulous indie designs in the knitosphere, it just seems that we never meet in the same spot. Then there was the Lodi cardigan.

You might remember this little cardigan designed by Tanis Gray and knit in Solstice, from the Summer issue of Knitscene. As soon as I saw it, I knew it had to be mine. I do so love a tiny cardigan, often to my detriment, but that's a whole other story. Anyway, one thing led to another and before we knew it, it was on the needles of eight women in our office! Experiences were mixed, from love for the stylish simplicity of the design, to difficulty with the grading, to a newfound appreciation for the wool-organic cotton blend we were all suddenly knitting in.

Solstice is from our Verde Collection, and comes in twenty vibrant colors. The cotton component keeps the stitches crisp and clear, provides structure, and allows the finished garment to breathe. Super soft merino wool adds warmth, drape, and helps pieces hold their shape. I truly dislike weaving in ends, so I was especially pleased to learn that it can be spit-spliced (or "magic-spliced" if the thought of spitting in your yarn is especially unpleasant for you).

What, people don't dress alike at your office?

For those with a larger bust, take heed of your shaping! The eyelet raglan shoulders MUST be increased with each right side row, so while increasing bust size you also increase the arm size! Many who were knitting above a 38" bust had trouble with arms being too large, and remedied it in a variety of ways.

Heather (in the Azalea colorway) merely picked up stitches instead of casting on in the armpit, and knit the sleeves flat, taking in stitches in the armpit. Meg, in the Brass Button colorway, swatched carefully and recalculated the distribution of the fronts and arms. I made mine as is, but wondered in retrospect if you could pair each eyelet increase with a decrease in the armpit area--an unproven theory, but I wonder if it would work? What are your tried-and-true fitting techniques?