Showing posts with label magazines. Show all posts
Showing posts with label magazines. Show all posts

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Guest Post: Knit 1-2-3 Magazine

I invited my sister to do a guest post about a new knitting magazine that she spotted, as I have not seen it yet. There is also a crochet one. Since my sister both knits and crochets, she bought and wrote about both the magazines.
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I don’t normally look at the yarn when I am in Wal Mart because, quite frankly, 99% of what they sell is not to my liking and usually what few yarns they have that I might like well enough to use there’s always something that will prevent me from buying it. (Tangled up skeins, or FILTHY ones that look like they’ve been run over by a car a few times, things like that.) So I tend to just not even look. But today I decided to stroll down that aisle just for the heck of it.
Once I got to the end of the aisle, I happened to spot a couple new magazines – one for knitting and one for crochet. I simply assumed new issues of magazines I’m familiar with. But nope. These are actually BRAND new magazines, the first issues!
So, I had to get them. Don’t give me that look.


Both magazines have the same format. There’s a review section that gives short reviews of new knit/crochet books, yarns, notions etc., there are a couple articles and of course, patterns. I love that the ads are minimal in these. There are 23 patterns and 3 articles in Knitting 1-2-3, and Crochet 1-2-3 contains 24 patterns and 3 articles. Knitting 1-2-3 contains an article on adding color to your knitting in three different ways: stripes, 2-color slip stitch and fair isle. There is a series of articles called Gram & Me, and it’s about the author’s time with a granddaughter teaching her to knit. In Crochet 1-2-3, there is an article on crocheting in the round and then the same author of Gram & Me has a series with her granddaughter and crocheting titled Gram’s Hands. The third article in both magazines is an article about knitting (or crocheting) for charity, specifically for an organization called Warm Up America.
The web sites for the magazines are knit-1-2-3.com and crochet1-2-3.com (appropriately enough eh?) although the sites are small as can be expected from a brand new publication, they will grow quickly I am sure. The knitting one is not totally live just yet actually, but I would imagine it should be fully functional within the next few days. The release date on both magazines September 18th, though as is evidenced by my purchase, you might be able to find them now. I was the first one to buy these from my Wal Mart. I know because I had to open up the plastic wrapper on both stacks of magazines to get to them!
As you can see in the pictures, they are $4 each. If you subscribe, a one year subscription costs $13. This will be for six issues, as new issues of these magazines will be released every other month. I’m giving serious thought to subscribing to both!
Both of these magazines are available exclusively at Wal Mart. Or you can visit their web sites to subscribe. Again, Knit1-2-3.com is not currently fully functional but Crochet1-2-3.com is. I have no idea why one’s up and running and the other is just a ‘preview’ type page. But I am sure that within a couple days both sites will be fully functional and you’ll be able to subscribe to either magazine through their respective web sites.
Oh. And if you’re wondering… yes. Yes I do want to make several of the patterns from each of these magazines now.
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Sunday, April 15, 2012

S-n-P Podcast Episode 15

Hi everyone!  It's certainly been quite a while since I did a show.  Now that the weather is warmer, I can sit outside to record.

Here are the things I talk about in this episode, in no particular order

Magazines (you can find links to each of these in the Magazine tab at the top of the blog)
Filati Handknitting - Home
Filati Pocket
The Knitter
Simply Knitting - free gift - wooden purse handles
Knit Today - free gift - some really sheep shaped yarn bobbins
Knitscene

Hobby Lobby Visit
I recently went to Hobby Lobby for the first time.  I loved their selection of knitting books, and while I typically do not knit with acrylic yarn, they did have some nice yarn also.  There were a few I liked, but in the end only got a few skeins of Andes Alpaca by Yarn Bee, in the color Camino.  I have decided to make my first top down shawl with this yarn.  I also got two pairs of rosewood needles - one having an inlay of mother of pearl on the top.  As you all know, I love my Addi Turbo neeldes, but am quickly becoming fond of the rosewood needles!


Autumn Acorn Cowl
This is my latest pattern, which is available for purchase on Craftsy.  This is a quick knit, using Lighthouse Waves yarn featuring the Acorn Cable stitch.  Even if you have never knit cables before, this is an easy stitch.  There is also a video tutorial of the stitch incase you need help with it.  I know the weather is beginning to warm up, and probably the last thing on your mind is making something to keep you warm.  The mornings and evenings are still rather chilly, and a little warmth around your neck can help keep away the chill.  Also, a lot of offices crank up the AC in the summer, and a cowl is nice to help keep the air off your neck.  And of course, if you make it now, you can have it ready to go when autumn/winter returns.

Project Bags
I've told you before about using those nifty little plastic bags that bras and bed sheets come in to take along a small project when you go on a trip, etc.  I recently purchased some sheets which came in a nice little cloth bag.  The extra pillow cases also come in little bags, which are perfect for a small project, needles, a few notions, and a copy of your pattern.  I love these!  They are soft, pretty and just the right size for carrying along where ever you go!  I got mine at Walmart, but I am sure you can find them in any store that sells sheets.

Longer Stitch Videos
You asked, and now you will receive!  An overwhelming majority of you voted to have longer videos demonstrating cable and lace stitches.  I will still be doing the shorter, less complicated stitch videos, but now will also be including longer videos too.  You can find all of the stitch videos over on The Weekly Stitch.

That is going to wrap it up for now.  You can find me on Facebook and Twitter.  Mostly on Facebook, Twitter is just for when I put up a new video or pattern mostly.  Feel free to send any questions, comments or suggestions to sapphiresnpurls at gmail dot com.

Until next time, Happy Knitting!


Saturday, March 24, 2012

Piecework March/April 2012 and Knit Simple Spring/Summer 2012

In this issue, explore traditional tools such as Tambour, Knitting, Crochet, Punch Needle and Flowermaking; Knit a Viking cable beret; Discover the ultimate helper - sewing birds; and finally, Bosnian Crochet.

NOTE:  As of the date of this post, their website is not reflecting the latest issue

This issue features quick and easy knits such as scarves, drop stitches and little girl dresses; Beach coverups; Flower Looms and 5 easy flowers to make - Be sure to enter for your chance to win a Bloom Loom!  Check out the website (link can be found in the "Magazines" tab at the top of the page) for details.

Happy Reading!

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Spring and Summer 2012 Knitting Magazines

Here is a list of the magazines I have recently purchased.  You can find links to the websites for all of them up on the "Magazines" tab at the top of the blog where you can subscribe, purchase back issues and more.


  • Simply Knitting - March, Issue 90 - Comes with super cute needle gauge in the shape of an owl!
  • The Knitter - Issue 41 - Jane Sowerby Cowl on the cover looks absolutely gorgeous, as well as the Louisa Harding free bonus patterns!
  • Debbie Bliss Spring/Summer 2012 - Beautiful lace and color work in this issue.  Lots of beautiful projects as always.
  • Your Knitting Life (formerly Knitting today!) - April/May 2012 - Has some cute Easter kiddie knits and Mother's Day projects
  • Make it this Weekend from Creative Knitting - Spring 2012 - Gorgeous Kara Gott Warner design, the Stuyvesant Shrug in this issue as well as a very nice knit by Faina Goberstein, the Calypso Capelet, based on a traditional Orenburg shawl technique
  • Love of Knitting - Spring 2012 - Has some nice spring sweater patterns, as well as a cute pair of socks designed by Kristin Hansen called Snowmelt Socks and pretty Stained Glass Wrap designed by  Ellen Liguori
  • Knit 'n Style - June 2012, Issue 179 - the Oak Leaves Shawl by Vera Sanon is my favorite, there are also some sweater patterns and a dress to knit, if you have the time and are so inclined
  • Knit Now - Issue 4 - Lovely lace capelet, beaded socks and some quick and easy hats are among the projects in this issue 
  • Sandra Knit Trends - No. 5 - Filled with lots of gorgeous sweaters, lace and color work


OK, that is going to wrap it up for what's in my magazine stack this time around.  Happy reading!