Hi everyone!
We’re so excited about each and every design in issue seven : michigan, and we wanted to share the details with you, so you can get excited, too! This issue features TWELVE designs, the most we’ve ever had! We have six sweaters (all size-inclusive to a 60″ bust) and six accessories!
The designs are listed alphabetically by the designer’ last name; click on the picture to go to the pattern page on Ravelry:
Mackinac Mitts by Kate Atherley
The Mackinac Mitts are the perfect project for that skein of sock yarn that’s just too pretty for socks that are hidden by boots all winter. Use a solid or semi-solid colorway to best highlight the handsome twisted stitch pattern that is easy to memorize and creates an excellent fit. Lightweight and leaving your fingers free to knit or write, these mittens are just right for those early days of spring as the first crocuses poke through the melting snow, giving renewed hope for the warmer days to come.
Higgins Lake by Jodi Brown
Named for the beautiful Higgins Lake State Park in northern Michigan, this hat features a fun and addictive two-color mosaic design. The mosaic method of slipping stitches creates a beautifully squishy fabric while using just one color in each round, making it the perfect introduction to colorwork. The classy design makes it perfect for everyone in your family, and you’ll be knitting Higgins Lake for all of your knitworthy loved ones. Top it with a beautiful faux fur pom pom! Modeled by Jodi’s daughter, and photographed by Jodi.
Petoskey by Ann Budd
You may recognize the delightful Kate Atherley modeling Ann’s cowl. Designed for the brutally cold Michigan winters, this heavily cabled cowl literally stands up to wind, sleet, and snow. The lower edge is a simple 4-stitch i-cord into which stitches are picked up for the cowl body. The dense cable pattern repeats throughout the body of the cowl, which ends with an attached i-cord bind-off to match the cast-on edge. Petoskey is perfect for those frigid days in the dead of winter. Modeled by Kate and photographed by Norman Wilner.
Agate Falls by Christina Danaee, aka Xtina with Wolves
Agate Falls is a charming reverse stockinette cardigan with delicate braided rib details throughout the design. Deceptively simple, the stitch pattern is easy to remember, and there is no need for a cable needle. Front pockets are integrated into the elongated lower ribbing and then finished with an i-cord bind off. It has all the feels of curling up in an oversized armchair with your favorite book and a cup of tea. Modeled and photographed by Kayla Maressa.
Third Coast by Laura Dobratz
Third Coast is an adorable textured pullover with a moderately boxy shape, split hem, and slim sleeves that are flattering on a variety of body types. It’s knit bottom-up in the round, after a back and forth hem, with a textured pattern that is both easy to memorize and fun to knit. Once you start on the sleeves, you’ll fly through them; with mainly stockinette stitch, they’ll be perfect for a weekend Knitflix marathon. Third Coast has the versatility to be dressed up for date night, down for family pizza night, or anything in between. Modeled by Laura’s daughter Emma, of Emma’s Yarn, and photographed by JD Dobratz.
Third Coast Cowl by Laura Dobratz *bonus*
Laura has generously gifted us with this cowl pattern to share with everyone who pre-orders issue seven : michigan from your favorite LYS, through our website, or via Ravelry. It’s not included in the magazine, so make sure you pre-order to get your copy! Subscribers and pre-orders to date should all have received the pattern already (if you haven’t, email [email protected] – a few of your email addresses kicked it back to me).
Raise your glass if you hate swatching! We all know how important it is with sweater knitting, but it can feel so unproductive! How about a useful swatch? One that can be worn, cherished, or even gifted. Laura’s Third Coast Cowl uses the same beautiful stitch pattern as her Third Coast pullover in issue seven : michigan, so cast on a cowl as your sweater swatch, or just knit the cowl on its own. It’s a great way to practice the cable technique without using a cable needle, so the sweater will fly off your needles! Cheers! Modeled by Vivian Yakpo Newton, and photographed by Laura’s husband, JD.
Mother of Motors by Michelle Grace, aka Knitdraper
Michelle Grace designed the Mother of Motors Shawl as an homage to Detroit’s automotive industry and the Pontchartrain Hotel, which in 1908 hosted a meeting between the greatest pioneers of the automobile: Henry Ford, Billy Durant, Benjamin Briscoe, and R.E. Olds (learn so much more in the issue). A beautiful tribute piece, the Mother of Motors Shawl will stand out as a work of art. Modeled by Michelle’s daughter and photographed by Lisa Novitsky.
Beautifully Basic Henley by Melissa Kemmerer
The Beautifully Basic Henley is just that – beautiful and basic. A classic top-down raglan design, there are minimal design elements, making it the perfect sweater for beginner knitters or the ideal tabula rasa for budding designers. Knit it as written for a classic silhouette and easy-to-follow design, or add in your own details to individualize it – a different ribbing, a cable in between the raglan increases… the possibilities are endless! Modeled and photographed by Becky Beagell.
Shoreline Socks by Tracie Millar
The Shoreline Socks are a lovely play on texture inspired by the lakes and shorelines that are a thing of beauty throughout Michigan. The intriguing structural lines of the right and left foot are worked as a mirrored image that perfectly transitions into the heel and toe shaping in this exquisite pair of socks. The gently meandering lines of the cable were designed with rolling waves in mind, and it is our hope that knitting them will bring back memories of a perfect summer day at the shore.
Mirror Lake by Cassondra Rizzardi, aka Rizzaknits
Mirror Lake is a lovely rectangle that makes use of two skeins of the same gradient, used in opposite directions. Start one skein from the inside and one from the outside as you knit narrowing stripes. The colors will slowly blend together until the midpoint of the two skeins, where they will perfectly match. As you continue the second half of the shawl, the contrast between the two colors will slowly increase until finishing with a perfectly mirrored rectangle. Modeled and photographed by Cassondra.
Dearborn by Tina Tse
The Dearborn Cardigan has boldly wide sleeves and a great boxy flowing shape that make it a fun statement piece. It layers perfectly over the Mile Road Tank, or a simple short or long-sleeved tee, and there’s plenty of room at the arms to wear that great pair of long fingerless mitts that you’ve been wanting to knit. The Dearborn Cardigan is knit bottom-up in one piece, and then the sleeves are picked up and knit top-down in the round. Modeled by Tina and photographed by Michael Lupo.
Mile Road Tank by Tina Tse
This tank is the perfect little summer top. Its classic shape and clean lines make it perfect for any number of styling options, including layered under the Dearborn cardigan or a suit jacket or on its own paired with jeans or shorts. Mile Road’s sizes are separated by less than three inches, so you’ll be sure to get a perfect fit. The lovely simplicity of the pattern lends itself to showing off fun speckled colorways.
Sakura by Mona Zillah
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Sakura is a stunning Fair Isle circular yoke sweater featuring a floral motif inspired by the abundant cherry blossoms found throughout Michigan every spring. The most well-known species is the Japanese cherry, commonly called sakura. In Japanese culture, the cherry blossom represents the fragility and beauty of life. The brilliant but short blooming season reminds us all that life is beautiful and precious while also precarious and tragically short. Modeled by Mona and photographed by Andre Comandon.
And of course, we can’t share all these fabulous photos without a fun blooper! Here’s Becky traipsing from her parents’ dock through their backyard, wearing and carrying all the knits. You can’t tell, but it was about 90 degrees that day, with about 95% humidity. Is she a rock star with a pom pom, or what?
What will you cast on first? The Sakura sweater is calling to me, quite loudly, but I’m craving some instant gratification, so the Mackinac Mitts are going on my needles this weekend…
xo
Melissa
PS: Be sure to check out our latest issue, Michigan, and sign up for a knitting magazine subscription or pick out a beautiful pom pom for your next hat!
P.P.S. We recently had a chance to chime in on fun ways to showcase textiles and fiber in your home. Check it out here!
