Knit'n Style June 2011 & Knitting Today April/May 2011

Knit'n Style is one of my absolute favorite knitting magazines!  As always there are tons of great patterns in the latest issue.  Here are just a few of my favorites:

Butterfly Garden designed by Cynthia Yanok, pattern features 100% mercerized cotton yarn from Steinbach Wolle/Auroa Yarns Capri - This is a gorgeous sweater with a lacy bottom and cute butterfly motif on the chest and back.

Swallowtail Shawl designed by Chris Rinder and Lauren Scarpo, pattern features assorted yarns from The Great Adirondack Yarn Co. - This beautiful shawl is designed to look like a swallow's tail, hence the name, Swallowtail Shawl.

Argyle Cowl Pullover designed by Sandy Prosser, pattern features Silk and Wool yarn from Harrisville Designs (50% silk, 50% wool).   Great sweater knit in a great yarn, makes me wish I had the attention span to knit such a large item!  I might just have to buckle down and do this one!

Lots of other great patterns, along with an informative article by Margaret Radcliffe, What Every Knitter Should Know About Decreases.

Knitting Today is a new magazine, one that I like more and more with each new issue.  Here are a few things from their third issue:

Happy Feet, designed by Marina Salume using REGIA Softy Color, a 61% polyamide 39% superwash wool blend - these cute ankle socks even have a little ball on the cuff.  I remember my mother wearing this style of sock when I was a kid.  She always called them footsies.  This pattern is going in the knitting Q for sure!

Matching Girl and Doll Dresses designed by Amy Polcyn, using ROWAN by Amy Butler Belle Organic Aran, which is a 50% organic wool and 50% organic cotton blend.  Cute sundress for a little girl and a matching dress for her dollie!  Super cute!

Handbag and Makeup Case designed by Maggie Pace, using Nashua Handknits Creative Focus Worsted, 75% wool and 25% alpaca - this adorable bag and matching case are felted - if you have never felted anything before, this is the perfect first project.

Knitting Traditions and PieceWork 2011

I have a ton of new magazines to review, but just haven't had the time to do so yet.  I will be posting a review of 2 or 3 at a time over the next week or so, beginning with the Winter 2011 edition of Knitting Traditions and March/April 2011 PieceWork below.

Knitting Traditions
Packed with color, lace and texture, there is sure to be something for everyone in this issue.  Here are a few of my favorite projects:

Two Color Norwegian Gloves by Nancy Bush - knit in the round using Dale of Norway Heilo (100% Norwegian wool)

An Appalachian Gathering Basket by Gina Wilde - lovely felted tote that uses Alchemy Yarns Sanctuary (70% merino wool and 30% silk)

Along with lots of other great patterns, there are the following articles:

The Portuguese Style of Knitting by Andrea Wong, along with a pattern for some baby booties using this method.

The Warner House Bedspread by Joyce Volk, along with a bedspread pattern.

Before Knitting There Was Nalbinding by Nancy Bush

Also you will find several great articles on lace knitting, along with patterns.

PieceWork
I can't really pick any particular thing from this issue, since I like everything!  So I will just note the items on the cover.

Discover Color in Textiles
The Best Natural Dyes for Reds, Purples, and Blues
Knit Belarusian Wrist Warmers
Learn the Historic Technique of Japanese Sashiko
Stitch a Berlin-Work Floral Pattern

More magazine reviews coming soon, so be sure to stop by again.  Until then, Happy Knitting!

Shawl Contest!

Check out the shawl contest over at Claudia Hand Painted! 

Entry deadline is July 1, 2011.  There are some great prizes.  Read the rules and get your entry form today!

Vogue Knitting Spring/Summer 2011

On the cover:
Exquisite Eyelets, Sexy Swimwear, Cool Citrus, Sheer Heat

What caught my eye:
Eyelet Wrap Top by Theresa Schabes, using Covington by Plymouth Yarn - Standard fitting, sleeveless wrap-around top in daisy stitch and smocked rib patterns.

Lace Cover-Up by Renee Lorion, using Linen by Claudia Hand Painted Yarns - this is a lace shawl seamed at one side, and gathered at the other to create a draped neckline.

Buttoned Lace Vest by Pat Olski, using Brown Sheep Company's Cotton Fleece - feminine vest with contrast color ribbed edges.

Also an article called To Purl or not to Purl by Meg Swansen "If you had learned to purl before you learned to knit, would purl be your favorite stitch and knitting feel a bit awkward?"

And Why Knot! by Nicky Epstein will give you some creative ideas for I-Cord.

More magazine reviews coming soon!  I was recently at the book store and stocked up on 'em!