Interweave Summer Is Here

The new issue of Interweave Knits arrived yesterday. Everyone knows that summer is a slow knitting season. It's funny, I think we are busy all year round, it just changes in the summer. We still get the folks who stop in to get their cotton yarn for their summer shell or tank, but those customers are few and far between these days. More often, the scarf knitters stop coming in until it gets chilly again and we are left with the real die-hards. And, in my experience, the die-hards don't stop knitting their fair isle cardigans or Manos afghans just because of a little thing like 85 degree weather! Probably they will pick up another little project, like a lace shawl or some socks for beach knitting.
The summer issue of Interweave Knits really reflects our customers projects. There is lots of lace, and we had what we call around here "The Summer of Lace" last year when everyone knit shawls, and this winter we were selling sweater projects left and right as our customer base expanded their knitting horizons and now this summer we are seeing lots of lace sweaters!

Leaf Kimono Top by Sarah Barbour
Louet Euroflax Sport Weight (avail. in the shop)

Apres Surf Hoodie by Connie Chang Chinchio
RYC Cashcotton 4-Ply
This one is already in my Ravelry queue!

This issue also has a great article celebrating the 50th anniversary of Schoolhouse Press! Learn the history of the conception of the great Press that was the brainchild of knitter Elizabeth Zimmerman. No one would publish her books after the publication of Knitting Without Tears and Knitter's Almanac so she, very successfully, took matters into her own hands and Schoolhouse Press was born. Also included is the pattern for her popular Maltese Hats, reprinted with additional notes and color chart by Meg Swansen. I think I know what Clyde is getting for his 6 month birthday!

Maltese Hats--Reconsidered
14 sts/10 cm for baby size (try it in Rapture!)
11 sts/10 cm for others (try it in Rowan Country! avail. in the shop)

And to round out your summer knitting experience there's a great pair of socks in a simple colorwork pattern. A good colorwork project if you are hoping to one day make a fair isle sweater as it includes some charted shaping for the gusset. This is a nice manageable beach project and would be a good use for some Koigu mill ends mixed with a nice bright solid to balance out the multis.

Windowpane Socks by Chrissy Gardiner
Lorna's Laces Shepard Sock (avail. in the shop)

So that's my Interweave update for summer. You can always view more and score some free patterns from the Interweave website.