Letter from the Editor

I’m a little sad as I write this letter as it is the end of an era. This issue will have the final article in the Skill Building series, which Binka Schwan has produced since the Winter 2016–2017 issue. She tried to end the series in the Fall 2020 issue, but I wouldn’t hear of it, and I reminded her that proper finishing should be part of Skill Building. The last five articles have discussed how to weave in yarn tails for a variety of stitch patterns, ending with seed stitch. I’ve made these articles required reading for the Basics, Basics, Basics course. Binka also authored the Knitting 911 series from the February–April 2010 to Fall 2016 issues. Before ripping out a project, check the Knitting 911 Index to see if Binka has a fix for the problem. I have referred to these articles many times since 2010. Binka isn’t retiring completely. She is still teaching Taming Tension. I call her the “Tension Whisperer.” I’d like to make it a prerequisite for all our programs. I’d like to publicly thank Binka for her years of service. These series will be lasting reminders of her skill in deconstructing complicated techniques to make them so easy to understand.

As you look through the Table of Contents, you will see a lot of hat patterns. The Call for Designs we send out quarterly lists the topics for the Fashion Framework and Stitch Anatomy series. We don’t require that designers provide proposals for these topics and very few do. The Fashion Framework for this issue is Beanies and Toques, by Tonia Lyons, and this topic inspired many designers. Rather than select just a few, I decided this would be a hat issue. Fall is a perfect time to think of holiday knitting, and hats are the perfect project. You will find hat patterns for hats using yarn weights from Super Fine to Chunky and Project Levels from Easy to Intermediate. You will see that many of these hats use slip-stitch patterns, the topic of the Stitch Anatomy article by Heather Storta. In addition to the hats, you will find patterns for other types of accessories: scarves, shawls, cowls, and socks.

We made room for sweater and vest patterns (there are eight) showcasing different pattern stitches and techniques. Hudson by Donna Estin uses cables and intarsia. Debi Maige gives us Gum Drop II, a cardigan worked side to side. Colorwork? Try Diane Tessaglia-Hymes’ Flagstone Path or Frank Jernigan’s Playful Fades.The Kohlmarkt vest features pockets AND a pleat. Don’t miss Ashwini Jambhekar’s lacy Forsythia.

Every knitter who has looked at a pattern and wondered exactly what skills are required for the patterns with the Basic, Easy, Intermediate, and Complex project levels should read Mary Forte’s Needle Tip articles. Researching the nuances of each label was a mammoth undertaking for Mary, and she did a fabulous job. I learned a great deal as I uploaded each of these articles.

These are just a few of the patterns you will find in this issue!

The Retreat in the San Francisco Bay Area, November 6–9, sold out immediately, but there is a waiting list.

It isn’t too late to come up with an entry for Pillow Talk, the 2025 Design Contest. The deadline is September 30th. If you have any interest in design, pillows are an excellent place to start. A pillow is the perfect canvas to try out stitch patterns. You don’t need to worry about shaping or grading different sizes. Your creativity can run riot. This link provides all the details!

I’d like to thank Mary Cherrey for joining me at the photo shoot. Her help makes it all possible.

Email me with suggestions, questions, comments, and complaints at aholladay@tkga.org. Also, please share your efforts with us on social media! We would love to see your projects and add your photographs to the patterns. I’ve listed ways to find us below. (Thanks to Donna Estin for managing our social media, in addition to everything else she does!)

(Some of the active hashtags are #tkga, #castonmagazine, #masterknitterprogram, #masterknitter)

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