The thing that I love about knitting, the thing that calls me back to the needles time and time again, is the way knitting grounds me. There is something about the warmth of the yarn, the feel of the needles, the gentle repetition of stitch upon stitch that makes the whole world slow down a little so that I can exist just in that moment. And that incredible sense of calm is the way it’s been making other knitters feel too — for generations and generations. Knitting is ancient, simple, essential.
So every now and again, when I stop and reflect on how the knitting world has changed in the last ten years, it blows my mind a little. I use my phone to keep track of the rows I knit, I can check Ravelry to see how my pattern worked out for hundreds of other knitters, and I tweet back and forth with my favourite designers. Knitting is still ancient, essential, and grounding …but now it’s also all about the techno. Yeah, sometimes that really blows my mind.
And one of the best things to come out of this techno-revolution is the rise of online knitting magazines. Fresh, individual, quirky, and oh-so-vibrant — opening an online knitting magazine gives an instant virtual fiber rush. It makes you want to cast on something gorgeous. It makes you want cast on now.
Here my three hands-down favourites:
Did Knitty start the online knitting magazine craze? Even if it didn’t, it did for me. Knitty is the brainchild of Amy Singer, who launched her online magazine alllll the way back in 2002, and quickly became the starting point for thousands of new knitters and the launching pad for hundreds of new designers.
Filled with informative features that help new knitters find their feet and advanced knitters move on to higher planes, and offering instant access to a library of entirely free patterns, Knitty has revolutionised the concept of accessibility for a whole generation of knitters.
Twist Collective
The Twist Collective began with a mission: to treat designers and writers honourably by giving them a place to display their talents and get paid fairly for their work, while still having the option to use and build on their work after publication.
But beyond even those loftly ideals, what the Twist Collective ultimately achieves — through luscious photography and beautiful designs — is downright seductive.
KnitCircus
Starting out as a print publication, KnitCircus transitioned to an online format in 2010, and I’m so glad it did! Another magazine with an emphasis on treating designers fairly, KnitCircus is also committed to supporting indie fiber businesses, which gives readers the wonderful opportunity to discover new dyers and fiber artists that they might not otherwise find.
I find KnitCircus an absolute pleasure to read, partly for the totally trivial reason that the pages flip by delightfully (just like a real magazine! go try it!) and mostly because the articles are absorbing, the photography is sharp and fresh, and the patterns are utterly lovely.
Enter to Win the Entire KnitCircus Summer 2011 Pattern Collection
And here’s the bit that’s got me crazy-excited: KnitCircus‘s editor, Jaala Spiro, has generously offered me three copies of the KnitCircus Summer 2011 Pattern Collection to give away!
Wait, what’s that? Did I just hear you go squeeeee?!? Oh yeah, I know you did!
Ok, here’s what you have to do to enter:
- Click on the links the three magazines above and choose your favourite pattern or article out of all of them (just one favourite, not three).
- Then, come back here and leave a comment below telling me what your favourite is (and feel free to tell me why — I’d love to know!).
Now, because this is such a fabulous prize, I’m going to give you a way to get two bonus entries. To enter up to twice more, all you have to do is:
- Retweet this tweet on Twitter, and/or
- Mention this contest in a post on Ravelry (anywhere except the SpaceCadet group board and the InterStellar Yarn Alliance board)
- Then, make sure you leave a comment here to let me know you’ve done it (include your Twitter and Rav names).
And there you go — you’re in with three chances to win one of three copies of the Summer 2011 KnitCircus Pattern Collection. And you can’t beat that with a stick stack of magazines!
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Rock the details: Sweepstakes opens when this blog post is published and closes on Mon June 20 2011 at 11.59pm EDT and all entries must be made before the close. All entrants will be verified and must complete the mandatory entry (that is, mentioning in a comment on this blog post a favourite pattern/article from one of the three knitting magazines) before completing the ‘extra’ entries (retweeting the specified tweet and/or mentioning this sweepstakes in a post on Ravelry). Please take note: completion of all entries must be mentioned in a comment on this blog post to qualify, and comments must include the commenter’s Ravelry or Twitter name (as applicable). Invalid entries will be disqualified. Winner will be announced on this blog after sweepstakes close and must respond within 72 hours or we reserve the right to choose another winner. No purchase necessary. Only one entry per person. SpaceCadet Creations reserves the right to substitute prizes. Prizes cannot be redeemed for cash. No geographical or age restrictions apply because knitting knows no barriers.
I like the Knitcircus Hopkins hat & blanket. (In know it’s free!) It’s nice to have a pattern to share w/others who join me in charity knitting for the little ones @ a local hospital. Selfish me wants the pattern for Isis by Chriss Storch!
I’m most excited about Kieran Foley’s Mughal in Knitcircus. I love that you have to look at the shawl for a bit before you can figure out how it’s made. Also, I love the novelty of graphic stripes mixed with lace.
I retweeted your message under darkmatterknits.
I like the article about Need For Speed in Knitcircus. I am always wanting to knit (& crochet) more stuff in less time.
I also retweeted…. am @teachdig there.
I like the article in knitty about knitting on the subway. It’s part of what motivated me to knit on the train, and was very cleverly written.
I posted a link to this contest on ravelry on the star fleet fiber arts corps thread for my ship. The username is PandaLark.
Added the contest details on Ravely as a new topic for a forum on Christmas Knitting that I am on.
http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/2011-christmas-knitting-and-crocheting/topics/1707207
I am wants2csunshine on Ravelry.
OK, having choose was hard, but this was a FUN homework assignment. I looked at all 3 of the links above and I got some great tips and ear marked many things. My favorite though was from the KnitCircus one and it was on Page 28 and it was actually a video. It is “Kid’s Video Series – Purl”. I come from a family of crafters. Can’t even remember learning to knit or crochet. I remember my first knitted sweater, and the year that I wanted to make my dad a sweater for Christmas. I ran out of time and he got a box of “parts” of which I don’t remember sewing up for him. All great memories though. Today I actually finish projects and have found Ravely and some great local LYS with some wonderful new friends every day. My daughter is 10 and is starting her journey to learning to Knit. She wants to learn Purl now and this video is going to be PERFECT for her. She is a very visual learner and I know that this will truly help her to understand the process. Thanks – I found something great that I wasn’t even looking for.
thanks for introducing me to Twist Collective! I absolutely loved the mag. My very difficult to choose favorite pattern is Madrigal. I think a cardigan is one of the most practical and versitile things to have in a wardrobe, and I love the delicate pattern and scoop neckline of this pattern.
I really liked the Mughal shawl. The pattern is simple but not too simple to be boring to knit and the mixing of 2 colors really looks cool. I would love to knit this up!
posted on ravelry in the Yarn-Cupboard board
(pacerknits)
I posted a link to this in Ravelry’s Tour De Fleece KP TEAM discussion. My Ravelry name is JoanneAlderman.
Wow! I have to choose only ONE??? Aw, gee, you are making it hard, aren’t you?
OK, there are so many that I really, really like, but, since I have to choose only one, I guess it will be Knitty’s Omelet. I LOVE Lace! And that shawl, with the peacock feather hem is gorgeous! I noticed that the other favorites of mine are also favorited above. We all have such wonderful taste!
I also retweeted! I’m thedaisyhead.
Thanks for a wonderful giveaway!
My fav is the pattern Mamie from Twist Collective. Why? It’s downright lovely! Of course, I adore the knitted lampshades as well!
I liked the Knitted Lampshades too.
I liked The need for speed article in Knitcircus. It’s my nature to work fast at whatever I’m doing. This article gave me ideas I had not thought of.
Thanks for introducing me to Knitcircus!! I had never seen it before and I really enjoyed a number of the articles. My favorite patterns are:
Twist Collective: Trousseau — I like the way this breaks from the usual triangle, rectangle, and circle shapes
Knitcircus: Spiral Star Baby Blanket
Knitty: Verdant — I would love to make this with Isager yarn in fall colors
There are a lot of very pretty patterns, but the one I’d like to cast on the soonest is She’s Electric from Knitty.
Retweeted using Wyvernfriend as username.
Just left a comment on the River Knits group board on Ravelry about your giveaway!
I love the Corinne cardigan on Knitty because it fits my skill level & would be something I would wear all the time! The other patterns in the three emags are so beautiful, but almost seem too fancy for everyday wear.
I am retweeting your tweet under the name “Knitmehappy” and will leave a recommendation on Ravelry under”dhays”.
It’s impossible to pick a single favorite! I’m currently knitting an Aeolian Shawl, from Knitty — one of those, even though the pattern’s not new, when I saw it last month I had to cast on, now! things — and Halliard from Twist won’t leave my head.
I retweeted: http://twitter.com/Wordlily/statuses/79572498328457216
i love the patterns in twist collective they are always so entricate and beautiful…i love quintet..im into stripes lately (i never thought i would ever say that) thanks for the super giveaway!!
Retweeted @morrigan070
I’m in love with everything about Devonshire in Twist.
I also just retweeted @vitpilknits
I hadn’t heard of Knitcircus before but am glad to learn of it. Thanks! I think my favorite pattern from the three has to be Kieran Foley’s “Mughal.” It is gorgeous, and the article that goes with it is wonderful.
I love Twist Collective and especially this issues design by Pam Powers, Devonshire.
I retweeted! @thecraftykitten
I love the Vesna shawls by Susanna IC on Twist Collective.
I retweeted as @helenlamby
My favorite is on Knitty – Pomatomus socks by Cookie A. The pattern is so pretty, fairly easy to knit, and one of my favorite pairs of socks!
I love Knitcircus…I’ve had Fannette on my ;list since the issue came out…that pattern is gorgeous!
I have re-tweeted and left a message on one of the Ravelry groups that I belong to.
Leticia
Well, I’ve spent an inordinate amount of time today looking at each of the magazines. They are all wonderful. In KnitCircus, I particularly like the Mughal Shawl by Kieran Foley because it is just so darn gorgeous. It would definitely be a challenge. In Knitty, I liked the Adeline Bolero by Heather Hoefle, clean lines and nice for a rounder figure. In the Twist Collective I liked the Sunbreak blanket by Margaret Mills. Can I have three favorites? Or do I have to choose one.? If I have to choose one, I’ll choose the Adeline Bolero in Knitty because it’s time I knit something cute for me.
I love Knitty, especially because they accomodate Plus size women and Twist Collective has some lovely designs but KnitCircus is new for me. I especially like the .Celebrity Tank in the Summer 2011 KnitCircus Pattern Collection.
My Rav Name is AlleyBeth and I posted over at Starfleet Fiber Art Corps!
Also, on my Twitter; also as AlleyBeth!
I am rather fond of Petrie from Knitty, it’s just so classic and cool. Though there are really too many patterns to choose from!
I posted this contest on Ravelry under nrwilson.
In Knitty I liked the “Knitting With Handspun” article because I have recently purchased my first spinning wheel and am learning to spin. So I have a lot of handspun in my future.
Thank you!!
My favorite would be Knitty’s Verdant. It is just visually stunning. I would love to be able to have the skill to make something that amazing.
And I have tweeted and Rav’d your giveaway
Twitter and Rav name is: pickledpurls
1 favorite. Oh my, so difficult. All of these magazines have had so many great patterns and articles. I frequently refer people to Knitty articles on dyeing and other fun techniques. But I would be hard pressed to choose a favorite between Twist Collective and KnitCircus. They both often feature one of my most favorite designers, Susanna IC. I love her shawls. And actually her most popular shawl, Annis, was in Knitty. So can I just say I love them all and Susanna is my favorite?
(oops, and I tweeted too. sorry to leave two comments.)
I think my fave are the Twisted Ladder Socks in Knitcircus… looks like a great way to showcase handpainted yarns! And the description of the construction is intriguing….
I have been drooling over the Twist Collective ‘Blue Daisy’! Thanks for the opportunity to win!
All are great magazines! I think my favorite article out of the bunch is in Knitcircus: “The Need for Speed”…because I’m so busy, I need to get every stitch I can out of my knitting time!!
Thanks!!
Since I am becoming addicted to shawls, I just love Fanette in Knitcircus. Looks like another future project chosen!
I’d not come across Knitcircus before and have just spent a very happy half hour looking through the current edition. I love Knitty for its patterns designed for handspun and the Twist Collective patterns are always beautiful. My choice of pattern though would be the Spiralling Baby Blanket from Knitcircus. I can imagine spinning yarn that would change gradually through different shades of yellow/orange/red and creating a warm sunset blanket.
I retweeted this contest on Twitter under dendianew. Also posted on Ravelry under dendiane.
On Knitty, I love “Make Up Your Mind”. Perfect for summer!
On Twist Collective- I love Lizette and I’m currently knitting that. But I love all the patterns.
On KnitCircus-I like the Hooded Gansey vest as this would be great for my grandson. Nice layering piece.
Thanks for the contest!