Chicago Knits Magazine

The first issue of Chicago’s “irreverent quarterly yarn craft magazine … devoted to the irreverent Chicago yarn arts” was released in early April. I had read about it beforehand and got my very own copy when visiting Chicago.

Don’t you just love the cover? (Highlighted by a tablecloth on my garden table …).

IMG_1658It’s a first issue, a baby quarterly, and you can tell this baby is loved. Kim Richardson – the editor-in-chief, photographer, graphic as well as contributing designer, and ‘the baby’s mother’ – put together 56 pages, packed with information, interviews, reviews (books, yarns, gadgets), patterns, and more with regard to knitting, crochet, and spinning.

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The magazine is her attempt to bring Chicago’s knitting and crochet community “together in one place, to share patterns and stories about knitting in the city, to talk about upcoming events, to learn new things, to meet new people, and to make … knitting circles larger.”

I learned the word “swatch” which I had not heard before, together with a fabulous new stitch in crochet (the window stitch), I read about the “German twisted cast-on” to realize that (even though I am German) I have never used it (but will now – Kim says it looks bad-ass 🙂 ), the knitting memory game made me laugh, and I could not agree more with the presentation of the featured store, Sifu Design Studio and Fine Yarns. And I love the chart with all symbols and abbreviations one could possibly think of. It is neatly arranged and very convenient.IMG_1665

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What is left to say? I wish for Kim and her magazine that a lot of people in the Chicago area like the magazine as much as I do, so that hopefully the second issue’s volume will be twice as big!

IMG_1667Good luck to everyone involved and please keep me updated!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

To Swap Magazines

Not knowing if and how often you read Caitlin’s delightful blog: in March she wrote on Not-Hoarding Crafting Magazines. On the spur of the moment, we agreed in the comments to swap – regardless of country or language or style – and that is what we did. How exciting not to know what to expect! However, (to quote Caitlin) hoarding fail … Right. Both of us would not minimize the number of magazines we have. But an idea ever so grand!

Caitlin already blogged about what I sent to her and I am happy to tell you she likes the (older) German magazines – even though I forgot to include the quarterly that I promised to send in the first place …

In return, she sent me a very cool package to my friend’s house in New Jersey. This is where I got it last week and here is what was inside:

IMG_1647So far I have only browsed through the magazines while carrying them with me all the way back to Germany. Hence, I can’t say much (yet). However, the amount of text in each magazine surprises me! There is quite a bit about colors, techniques, and even knitting history that I did not expect as German magazines are usually not that elaborate. I can’t wait to spend some time in the garden, reading some more (top of my list for tomorrow)!

Together with the magazines, Caitlin sent two skeins of yarn and a cute little card, telling me about the skeins: one (the purple one) is from Sun Valley Fibers, which is about 20 minutes from where she grew up in Southern Wisconsin. 220-yards of worsted Merino (80%)/Cashmere (10%)/Nylon, hand-dyed, variegated and absolutely pleasant to the touch. I really have to start a “purple project” for you to see how lovely it is.

The other one is the most beautiful yarn I have seen in a long time. Period. I totally love the color, the feel, everything about it. To know that it is handspun by the Oregonian Judith McKenzie makes it even more precious. I keep holding it in my hand. Stupid? Maybe. Don’t tell me you never did that. Back in the 90s, I worked in Oregon for a year and a half. If I were to pick a color to represent the state I could not think of any better than the blue skein Caitlin sent.

And then there was even another local goodie – some of the weirdest local laws in Minnesota. Thank you Caitlin! If ever I make it to Minnesota I will make sure not to be standing around any building without a good reason to be there (as it is illegal), neither will I cross state line with a duck atop my head (same reason) … Oh, and I will never tease skunks 🙂

 

Spending Money

Did you ever wonder what a German yarn addict (like me) might buy in the land of unlimited opportunities?

Well, so far I got: little rings to use as stitch markers, DPNs in different colors, and a size 50 hook to crochet chair pads (for the kitchen chairs at home).

IMG_0942However, still looking out for Self Striping Sock Yarn. Any suggestions anyone?