Interweave Knits Spring 2006

When we got back from Tucson last week, I noted that the new Interweave knits was in the bucket of mail that greeted me at the post office.  Despite great temptation I managed to put it in the stack with other magazines and catalogs that bore further perusal and set it aside until I dealt with first class matters and various other tasks and duties of the week. 

Then it slipped my mind…until late last night that is, when I pulled it out and browsed before bed.  There are several interesting projects in here and it is going a long way to improve my opinion of the magazine, which it seems, for a long time, dealt in large shapeless sweaters.  This may have been an erroneous perception as it continues to be popular.  Nonetheless I have continued to subscribe as there is always something of interest and I long ago gave up any expectations that the goals of magazine editors should match my own taste, desires and goals. 

My modus operundi concerning knitting is to knit what I like, what intrigues, and usually what will look good on me, although I sometimes forgo that option and knit something that I know will look terrible just because I HAVE TO TRY IT.  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I’ve never had trouble getting rid of nice hand knits.

The knitting magazine editors however have different goals;  they must sell magazines, and even more importantly, they must sell advertising space to the yarn companies that keep the magazine afloat. 

I love knitting ads.  I check out the websites.  I look for info on the yarns or books.  I probably read the mags as much, if not more, for the ads as anything else.  In that sense I may be the ideal knitting magazine customer.  I look at ads, I buy books and yarn, I help keep the industry afloat and help the knitting magazines keep going.

But back to the magazine:  there are actually several designs in here I might knit. 

The Sunrise Circle Jacket is really cool (web pattern).  The Drop Stitch Hoodie is nice but I am undecided as to weather I would wear it, Prairie Tunic is lovely, and I like Aran Rose as well.  Breezy Cables is interesting; I would live in that sweater, although I might modify it a bit and definitely use a different yarn.  I’ve just not had a lot of luck with Lion Brand.

I love the cover sweater, Bobble Blue, traditional though it is and Caftan Pullover really intrigues me with its pattern but the sweater itself with its deep opening and no closures would drive me batty.  I might have do something incorporating that design. There are others that tempt (including ads — oh dear). 

It is certainly a source of many hours of happy entertainment when I am too tired to do anything but sit here slumped in my chair looking at pretty pictures.  I often think that what knitting magazines do best is sell dreams.