Summer 2010 Interweave Knits Review

This is a rant.
I didn't like the IK Summer 2010. You can find the preview here.
I've been frustrated for several years about the lack of man's patterns that are available in knitting magazines.  I've been noticing the increase of online magazines over the last several years and how print magazines are quickly making patterns available for individual purchases just about a year after they showed up in the magazine.  I find this a bit annoying.  Over the last year I've like only a few patterns from IK.

Notice the Singalong Sweater. Which boy wants 3/4" sleeves? Really?! The sweater looks like it doesn't fit.  Poor kid.

Kudos to Kenny for having another pattern available in IK.  He blogs here.

I'm glad to be finished.  I'll be taking my business to the designers that can be found on Ravelry, knitty and TwistCollective. 



Bye IK. I don't see myself in your magazine.
I need your help. What online resources do you use?

Mags, Bits and Frogging

Once again, knitting patterns for men are left off of the two most recent issues of Cast On and Interweave Knits. This is becoming a habit. I ranted about this before.

The Tit Bit can be found on Knitty.com. It's a really easy knit and a great way to help someone who needs a better option for a breast. I gave #1 the option of yarn color and texture. The best yarn for the pattern should be soft! I used Art Fibers. I knit two Tit Bits in one night. My special note: only use an i-cord for the nipple if you want a really prominent nipple. I fixed both of the ones I made.

Time for the Elbac to go away. The pattern doesn't hold any interest to me. It's be awhile since I last picked it up (almost 2 years ago). The only think I like about the project is the color of the yarn.

Attention Interweave Knits!

Just watch then read.

The Preview for the Fall Issue 2008 was released today.
I look forward to the anticipation of what's coming in my next issue.

In case you haven't noticed, men wear sweaters.
Did you know this?
I can't tell that from the Fall Issue 2008. Not one man's sweater pattern.
Men get one nod in this issue: A man is used to show off mittens using angora yarn. Do men wear angora?
Did I miss that memo?
"Hey you. You with the XY chromosome. Yes, you. Start wearing bunny fur."

Huh?

The mittens look fine, really. I'm concerned about the lack of patterns that might even be remotely appropriate for someone with the XY chromosome combination. That being said and full disclosure that I tend to be willing to bend what might be considered an appropriate sweater for a woman/man, there are a few nice looking patterns. The pea coat, backstage tweed and braided pullover to name three.

I am disappointed. The fall issue is perfect to start showing some patterns/designs/socks/something that might work for the men in our lives. Please start including patterns that could be worn by men. BTW: we do wear more than socks or hats. (I'm just saying.)

I think I'll count the number of patterns for men (or lack of) in the past year and report back.
*sigh* I couldn't wait for the issue to show you the images better. (do you hear an echo?) The laptop will have to do.

ACK! The Fall Vogue Knitting 2008 preview is out too. Guess what's missing?

Hurt Books

(I promise to keep videos to 2 minutes and 30 seconds or less)

I got my delivery from the Interweave Hurt Books Sale.
The hurt books that were delivered include:

• Gossamer Webs by Galina Khmeleva. The hurt part was the bent top. That would have happened anyway. I'm glad I got it.
  
• Harmony Guides: Lace & Eyelets edited by Erika Knight. This 50% off book had a bent corners at the top and bottom. I can live with those. I'm taking this one with me tonight as I consider a new shawl to knit for a friend.
  
• Knitting Ganseys by Beth Brown-Reinsel had the back top corner bent. It's the same type of bend that would be created when I put things back on the bookshelf.
• Folk Shawls by Cheryl Oberle wasn't a hurt book but it was on my wishlist for awhile. I deserved a new book, don't you think? I just saw the errata for the book. My, there are quite a few corrections needed. I'll check my copy before starting any shawl.
  
• Traditional Knitted Lace Shawls by Martha Waterman is another "healthy book" that's been on my wishlist. I'm gathering an arsenal of lace books and this one had to be included.
  

I promise to edit down my talking time. I'll continue to blog and post the videos. I'll do better. Comment away!