N E W E N G L A N D knits t i m e l e s s knitwear with a m o d e r n
twist
Cecily Glowik MacDonald
a n d
Melissa LaBarre
w e l c o m e t o
new engl and It seems entirely ftting that the idea or this book was born on a perect all day. One October morning, we let our homes in wool cardigans and hats. As the day went on, the hats came o and the cardigans hung open until the sun went down. It was then that we ound ourselves scrambling or woolly layers again. Handknits get lots o use here; the weather gives us many opportunities or that. As knitters and native New Englanders, it’s hard not to be inspired by our surroundings when thinking about what we want to knit. That aternoon, while talking about what we wanted to knit next, we realized that we had strikingly similar visions or a perect New England wardrobe. Comprised o six states, New England oers inspiration in many orms. With winter approaching, we were drawn to cold weather frst and brainstormed knits or snowy days—warm pieces that would keep out the brisk cold air as or the shortest days. As fve o the region’s six states border the ocean, the New England coast inspired us, too, but not in the beach-going sunbathing way. Instead, we thought o the colors and cool coastal
winds ound here. We pictured walks in the woods in crisp all weather and days spent in the park enjoying the midst o spring. We were drawn to transitional weather clothes. New England is notorious or sudden weather shits, so we thought o cardigans and pieces or layering. You know that avorite cardigan, the one you reach or again and again, that you throw on instead o a coat on a crisp all day? We hope you’ll fnd one o those among this collection: classic pieces with a modern detail or two that you’ll enjoy making and want to keep orever. And so New England Knits was born. Thinking o the arms scattered across the region and the fber-producing animals that reside here, we chose natural fbers such as wool. Its ability to repel water and provide warmth made it the perect canvas or the projects we envisioned. We shared our plans with a ew designers who hail rom New England and asked them to join us and contribute designs that elt like perect New England knits. We think you’ll fnd that they’ve succeeded.
new england
knits
3
m e l r o s e p e ac oat T his cropped peacoat-st y le s weater has a c lassic dou b le- breasted s hape wit h a modern lengt h. Co vered buttons e vo ke t he details on t he traditiona l peacoat, but se w-on snaps concea led beneath t he f ront pane l keep t he lines crisp. A rose pattern wor ked on t he upper bac k adds an interesting and s lig ht l y f eminine detail.
finished size
36 (39½, 42¾, 46¼, 49¾)" (91.5 [100.5, 108.5, 117.5, 126.5] cm); to fit a woman’s size small (medium, large, extra-large, 2XL). yarn
Bulky (Bulky #5).
shown here: Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride Bulky (85% wool, 15% mohair; 125 yd [114 m]/4 oz): Spice M-145, 8 (9, 10, 11, 12) skeins.
needles
U.S. size 10 (6 mm). Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain correct gauge. notions
Stitch markers (m); six 7 ⁄ 8" (2.2 cm) buttons; three size 4 sew-on snaps; matching thread and sewing needle; tapestry needle. gauge
14 sts and 19 rows = 4" (10 cm) in St st.
new england
knits
5
gallery around
Fall on
th e farm
Montpelier Jacket
Groveland Bag Greenfield Cardigan Providence Hoodie
the town
along
the coast
Old Port Pullover Chelsea Skirt
Cranston Coat
Northampton Kerchief
Salem Jacket
new england
knits
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content s
capture the spirit of
New England
Inspired by the vivid seasons of New England, where a sweater or cap is always at hand to chase off a breeze, this collection of knitwear by young Northeast designers is full of flattering, wearable sweaters and accessories (including hats, mittens, scarves, bags, and shawls). Choose among projects from the book’s three themes: Around the Town, Fall on the Farm, and Along the Coast. In addition to irresistible designs, the authors offer tips for knitting and designing with finesse, such as knitting in the round with the Magic Loop method, adjusting patterns for a better fit, and adding details such as button plackets and subtle embellishments. Patterns from the authors are complemented by four projects from New England guest designers. Lushly photographed on the New England coastline, New England Knits is full of timeless projects that knitters will want to make and wear, as these up-and-coming designers present their fresh take on classic knitting.
Cecily Glowik MacDonald is part of the design and Webletter teams at Classic Elite Yarns. Cecily has published more than 80 designs in books, magazines, and Classic Elite Yarns Collections. She has designed for Interweave Knits, Knitscene, Knit.1, Knit Simple, Vogue Knitting , Cast On, Knitter’s, and Creative Knitting . Her designs have appeared in Interweave’s Color Style, Simple Style, and Knitted Gifts as well as Vogue’s Knitting on the Go series. She lives in Lowell, Massachusetts.
Melissa LaBarre has published patterns in Vogue Knitting , Knit.1, and Classic Elite Yarns Webletters and design collections. She lives in western Massachusetts and blogs at knittingschooldropout.com. Paperback, 8 1/2 x 9, 152 pages 100 photographs, 30 illustrations, 10 charts ISBN 978-1-59668-180-4 $24.95 Available July 2010
aro un d t he to w n
Auburn Top Hampton Cardigan Chelsea Skirt Ashfield C ardigan Groveland Bag Northampton Kerchief Grey lock Tunic Fairfield Top Whale Watch Hat fal l on th e fa rm
Portland Mittens Greenfield Cardigan Providence Hoodie Augus ta Cardigan Melrose Pe acoat Mystic Pullover Montpelier Jacket Brattleboro Hat alo ng th e c oa st
Salem Jacket Derry Raglan Old Port Pu llover Lewiston Vest Middlefield P ullover Wakefield Scar f Cranston Co at Montague Vest Windsor Warmer
