Friday, September 24, 2010

Maker Faire at New York Hall of Science


Maker Faire NY is this weekend at the NY Hall of Science in Queens, near the famous Unisphere. I'll be teaching knitting at the TNNA booth, under the GIANT KNITTING NEEDLE tomorrow, Saturday the 25th from 12-4. This promises to be a wonderful event on a beautiful day, so if you're in the NY metro area looking for something to do, check it out! There will also be volunteers teaching crochet, needlepoint, cross stitch and other needle arts, so if you're a knitter who's wanted to learn more about any of these crafts, you should stop in for a free lesson. Or just come and say hello if you're a fan of Verena. Bring the whole family, this event has something for everyone. Knitting! Robots! Food! Did I mention Knitting?

See you there!

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Maker Faire NYC

Just a quick note to say that the Fall issue of Verena Knitting will be arriving in subscriber mailboxes next week. We know that many of you treasure and save your knitting magazines, so we took a little extra time to put the magazines into protective covers before mailing. The digital issue should also be available next week and newsstands and bookstores should be stocked up the following week.

For those of you who are in the New York area, I will be in the TNNA booth teaching knitting at the World Maker Faire at the New York Hall of Science, on Saturday September 25th from 12-4. I'm sure no one reading this needs me to teach them knitting, but if you're going to be there do stop by and say hello! It promises to be a really fun family event all about making and doing things for yourself. I've never been to one of these so I'm really looking forward to it. If you haven't been to the Hall of Science, it's a wonderful place to visit with your kids, there's a highly acclaimed Science playground and Rocket mini-golf in addition to permanent and visiting exhibits.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Bodacious!

For those who are interested in something a little more daring, the Fall 2010 issue of Verena Knitting has this audacious design by Barry Klein for Trendsetter Yarns. Using 3 different yarns in a dramatic diagonal stripe he has created a dynamic coat of many contrasts. Employing Dune a blend of mohair, nylon and acrylic, Merino 8 Shadow 100% wool, and Othello which combines alpaca, wool, polyamide, and cotton to great effect, this coat will turn heads every time you wear it.
Also in the magazine, easy to miss under this coat is this classic crew neck top. Knit in fine gauge yarn it will be an elegant staple in your fall and winter wardrobe.







And finally, an alternate view of our cover design. This cozy hooded tunic vest, is seen in the magazine only from the right, obscuring the asymmetrical zipper placement and exterior pocket detail that add to the trendy "inside out" look.


Monday, September 6, 2010

"Pantheon" by Norah Gaughan

"Pantheon," by Norah Gaughan, sleeve detail
It's Labor Day today, which means that the hot, humid weather will be coming to an end soon and knitters will be digging out their large needles and wool and daydreaming of sweaters. I love knitting lace, and I've been having a great time knitting up the Orenburg Shawl, but I am also looking forward to more substantial projects.

Fall is the perfect time for knitted coats, and there are several beauties in our Fall issue. On my recent visit with Margery I snapped some pictures of a couple of them that deserve a closer look than you get in the magazine.

First up, is this unusual design by Norah Gaughan. Made with Berroco Blackstone Tweed on size 8 needles, and constructed of pentagons, you can start knitting the smaller shapes for the sleeves now and not find yourself knitting the larger pieces until the weather has cooled off enough to make that welcome. Before you know it, there'll be a nip in the air, you'll want a light coat and find yourself nearly done! 

Berroco Blackstone Tweed is soft and luxurious with a wonderful, lofty texture. The mohair and angora in the blend give the yarn all the visual appeal of tweed but none of the scratchiness.

The design is so subtle it's really not easy to photograph in a way the does it any kind of justice. You can see the different directions the knitting takes in the pentagonal design, but you'll have to trust me that this gem is so much better in person than pictures can convey.