I love August- it’s still summer, but all the fall knitting patterns are emerging! Pom Pom Quarterly has just released their new Autumn 2015 issue, which has 10 beautiful patterns (several of them are unisex), 2 articles on the geography of yarn and sheep breeds throughout the UK, and also a close up on a local production mill (John Arbon Textiles) in Devon that goes through how wool is processed there (and includes a coupon code for Viola Yarn!). There’s also a recipe for a delicious looking pumpkin spice cake. The issue comes in print or digital.
I had a tough time choosing just 5 patterns to feature here- this is a really solid issue and every pattern was something I would happily knit and wear. But to give you a taste, here is a mix of accessories and garments from their new issue:
A stranded hat featuring a Swedish Dala horse design, with a folded brim and a fabulous pom pom to top it all off. the folded double brim and the stranded colourwork will really help keep you warm on those cold winter days (that seem so far away, but you know they are coming eventually). Also worth considering is knitting the horse design in a chromatic yarn to add a bit more colour, if that is more your style. Worsted weight has you knitting this hat up super quick.
You should totally knit this hat if: You love cozy warm hats, pom poms, and two-colour designs are all the colourwork you’re willing to take on.
You should definitely not knit this hat if: You never wear hats, are terrified of stranded knitting, or if you like your stranded designs to have at least 4 colours in them. Although you could always add more colours to the mix!
This is one of the awesomely unisex designs in the issue, and I love this classic raglan henley style. It’s knit bottom up in the round, with the sleeves knit first and then joined to the body when it’s time to work the yoke. The reverse stockinette would also handle a tonal, kettle, or hand-dyed yarn pretty well. Aran weight means you stand a good chance of knitting this sweater in time for the cooler weather, too.
You should totally knit this sweater if: You love timeless sweaters that work for everyone, raglan sleeves, knitting in the round, and you love a good button placket.
You should definitely not knit this sweater if: You can never, ever decide on buttons whenever you knit something that calls for buttons; or if you can’t stand bottom up construction (even if it is in the round).
Knitted in the round from the bottom up, Jean (DK weight) starts from a garter stitch hem that is knit flat then kitchenered together (instructions are included), with the body picked up and knit in the round. Cable panel is both written and charted, and the back fo the neck has some short row shaping. Sleeves are knit top down in the round, and also have some short row shaping.
You should totally knit this sweater if: You like sweaters that can be either dressy or casual, Cables are totally your thing, you want to try top down sleeves, and you like knits that are classic with a twist- the garter hem and cuffs and neck are a great alternative to ribbing.
You should definitely not knit this sweater if: short rows are your enemy, top down sleeves are not your thing, and you aren’t that jazzed about cables.
A big, dramatic scarf-wrap full of rich texture and thick cables. Stitches are both written and charted, And with texture this lush, you know it will keep you toasty warm!
You should totally knit this wrap if: You are crazy about cables, you love dramatic accessories, and scarves the double as wraps are right up you alley.
You should definitely not knit this wrap if: You just want to zone out with a simple knit, or if knitting over a thousand yards of Aran for a wrap is not your idea of a good time.
Lacey and delicate DK mittens that have a leafy design, lace pattern is both charted and written.
You should totally knit these mittens if: You love one skein projects, lightweight mittens, and botanical details.
You should definitely not knit these mittens if: the idea of lace mittens doesn’t work for the kind of winter you have- or you could knit a stockinette inner mitt to keep the really cold temperatures at bay.
And those are my top picks for Pom Pom Quarterly’s Autumn 2015 issue! All ten patterns are gorgeous, though- if you have any questions about the others, let me know in the comments and I’ll respond.
