IK inspiration

I’ve been looking over the new Interweave Knits since it arrived ten days ago. At first, I was really put off because I wasn’t fond of any of the patterns except for the Wallis Cardigan, and I’m not sure I love it well enough to actually knit it.

  Wallis Cardigan

But some of the patterns have grown on me. I would have to rewrite them because I would eliminate all the colorwork. But I often chart in Excel those patterns that only provide written directions; I could rewrite a pattern as well.

I think that seeing the Knitting Daily staff modeling the garments has helped me. I didn’t necessarily like the patterns any better as written, but I was able to determine what I didn’t like about the pattern and if I could fix it and knit a garment I would enjoy and wear.

I’m very grateful that Knitting Daily gets those garments off the professional models and puts them on normal-looking people. It is such a help. Here are Knitting Daily’s Gallery One, Gallery Two, and the Eunny Jang Gallery.

In particular, I’ve been eyeing:

  Drawstring Raglan

Without the colors, you have a simple feather-and-fan pattern on the bottom. I’m not sure how I feel about the “sleeves,” but I could either revise them or decide I’m okay with them after all.

I think this is first on my to-do list, because the lines are flattering and the garment could be worn year round. I might use a variegated yarn for it. If the yarn were gently variegated, I don’t think it would hide the lace pattern too much.

I probably won’t make the Apres Surf Hoodie, but I’m using its lace pattern for another top I’m working on right now.

  Apres Surf Hoodie

I like this scarf pattern:

  Gossamer Stars Scarf

It’s simple and might make a relaxing knit. I’d use more yarn and knit a stole.

I like the lines of this vest . . .

  Elinor Tunic

. . . but without the big wide stripe of color smack on the abdomen. The colorwork is pretty, but I wouldn’t want it on the waist or bust either.

I also like the lines of this top:

  Roped Shell

Imagine it in a soft green silk with blue cable trim in a similar color value. Or blue with white cable trim. This top is very graceful. It could be worn summer or winter (a big consideration in the Rockies, with our very short summer season). I think it’s calling to me.

So, for an issue that I initially viewed as particularly uninspiring, it has grown on me and inspired me after all. I do wish they hadn’t used fall colors for so many of the garments, but we’re the knitters and we can fix that.