23 Mar knit.wear Spring/Summer 2018 – Puget Tote

My very first magazine publication is out! I’m not sure there is anything quite so satisfying as seeing your work in print. Heck, even a blurry mugshot in the local paper gives me a happy feeling!

I received my copy of knit.wear in the mail yesterday, and was surprised not only at how many patterns are included (29!), but also how many I would consider knitting for myself. One of the reasons I design is because I can never find patterns that are quite right, but there are several in this issue that I would straight-up knit with no modifications: Mary Anne Benedetto’s Beaufort Pullover, Irina Anikeeva’s Portico Tank, Chery Toy’s Spanish Moss Wrap, and Sarah Solomon’s Clematis Cardigan. I know I have stash yarn for the Portico Tank, so that might be the one I actually get around to knitting – I have several of my own design projects on the go, so I have to be disciplined and finish those before I indulge in the simple joy of knitting from a pattern that has already been completely figured out, tech-edited and sample-knit. Still, the Portico Tank looks like a quick knit, and I love that it’s a summer top with an openwork back, but you can still wear a regular bra with it (I can feel the tingle of startitis…)

My contribution is Puget Tote, a lined shoulder bag worked in moss stitch with a folded stockinette upper edge and slip-stitch faux side seams. I will admit that good handknit bags are a bit finicky – the knitting itself is easy, but the finishing generally requires a lot of attention to detail and some sewing skill, as a faced lining is essential to the structure. The straps are also usually a problem, as the stretchiness of knit fabric makes it hard to have a good, strong connection between the bag and the strap – Puget Tote solves this problem by threading the strap around the outside of the bag through loops made with long buttonholes – the weight of the bag is carried from the bottom by the strap, rather than pulling on the top of the bag. I’m really happy with how it turned out, and I can’t wait to get the sample back so I can use it as my summer bag. I will, however, be adding a leather bottom, as unbleached cotton is just a little too pristine for my lifestyle, which generally involves being handed chewed gum, dripping popsicle sticks and used tissues.

All photos courtesy of Harper Point Photography and Interweave.