New ‘zine fills knit niche: the next generation

Size will be the first thing readers will notice about Knitscene, the new magazine from Interweave Press, which hits newsstands today, Oct. 18. The magazine is an inch narrower and 2 inches shorter than regular size magazines. Its unconventional size signals, perhaps, the kind of knitters and crocheters the magazine is courting to become its audience – the new generation of needleworkers between the ages of 18 and 35. This group, according to a Craft Yarn Council of America tracking survey, jumped to 33 percent from 13 percent in the last two years. These are women on the go, women who dash to and from college classrooms, rush off to corporate jobs or balance the roles of breadwinner, mommy and wife with a deftness akin to that of a juggler. Knitscene is the perfect size to tuck into a briefcase, backpack or totebag. Or even a big pocket.

The new generation of knitters, says magazine editor Pam Allen, who also edits Interweave Knits magazine, are revitalizing the craft … they are style-conscious women bored by mass retail uniformity and want more personal expression in their knits … [they merge] techniques, incorporating embroidery, sewing, crocheting and even beading into their knitting.

What Knitscene lacks in size it more than makes up for in content. The premiere issue of Knitscene contains 44 projects for “making, living and dreaming.”

The lineup of projects features lady-like sweaters a la Margaret Thatcher done up in “Monet” colors, lavish ruffles and sprinkled with buttons used as trim to band the sleeves and pick out a design at the neckline.

Other projects go a bit daffy – but in a good way – over pompoms used to trim hats, scarves and a “wrong-side-out” sweater.

Those who crochet will find boho belts, funky slippers a flowery afghan and a mesh cap interspersed with designs for knitting.

The projects are rated according to difficulty from “I’ve learned the basics” to “I’m ready for a challenge.”

The magazine definitely has a youthful “feel,” reflected in designs that have a “hip” air about them, done up in bright colors and novelty yarns. Yet, the designs also are appealing enough to attract knitters of any age.

The Wear It column offers illustrated advice on how to put together a personal look that incorporates the designs the magazine offers.

A profile of a yarn designer offers insight into the thought, imagination and work that goes into designing yarn and knitwear.

The magazine’s advertising meshes with the needs of knitters and crocheters. Web site addresses for yarn manufacturers abound and at some of the sites, free patterns are available.

Visit Knitscene’s Web site at www.knitscene.com to learn more about the magazine and to find free patterns for some of the projects, including, sweaters, scarves, slippers and dolls.

The annual issue of Interweave Knits Crochet magazine, which contains 23 designs and a Fashion Insider article written by designer Lily Chin, is also currently available at newsstands. Visit www.interweavecrochet.com to learn more and to find free patterns featured in the magazine.

Snippets

. Free knitting patterns are available at www.elann.com. The Web site also maintains a Swap Center where those seeking a certain kind of yarn can post a request. Those who have yarn they wish to swap also may post notices.

. The Clamshell Quilters, a chapter of the Maine Pine Tree Quilters Guild, has created a handcrafted, wall-size they are offering on eBay. Proceeds from the quilt will be donated to the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk, which took place Oct. 16. Those interested in bidding on the quilt may visit ebay.com and search for item number 6214763157.

The picture puzzle quilt was based on a photograph taken in Copenhagen, Denmark, by a member of the Clamshell Quilters. The photo was enlarged and divided into 20 grids. The squares were given to group members to reproduce in fabric made in 20-inch squares. The squares were returned to the coordinator who assembled them into an 80-by-100-inch finished quilt that is a replica of the photograph.

For more information about the quilt, call Pat Fox at 563-1962.

Ardeana Hamlin may be reached at 990-8153, or e-mail ahamlin@bangordailynews.net.