Love Laine
Issue 4 of Laine Magazine was highly anticipated, especially by knitting nerds like me. Teasers started coming out more than a month in advance of its release and I was totally smitten from the beginning. I tend to knit according to the upcoming seasons – so I can start wearing the items I’m making within a couple months of completing them, but this new issue of Laine has me throwing that plan out the window. This issue is filled with cuddly pieces that could sustain me through this seemingly endless winter.
Stalactite was the teaser that hooked me. This piece is a slightly cropped, raglan mock turtleneck with a striking slip stitch detail that resembles stalactites. Since I’m very thoroughly a nerd (not just a knitting nerd) I love this geological reference, and it reminds me of hiking through stalactite/stalagmite filled caves in Missouri as a kid with my family. Isn’t nice when a meditative act like knitting can reunite us with such happy memories? The idea of reminiscing over these childhood activities has propelled this project to the top of my list. I’m not sure about which yarn I’d use, though. Knitters have already knit this piece up in Brooklyn Tweed’s Shelter. With a gauge of 21 stitches/4 inches, you’re walking the line between worsted weight and DK weight yarns. I’d also consider doing this one in Blue Sky’s Woolstok, Brooklyn Tweed’s Arbor, HiKoo’s Kenzie, Juniper Moon’s Dromedary or Shepherd’s Wool.
Lakeland is similarly cozy sweater. It’s mock turtleneck is similar to Stalactite. It has loose sleeves and a hem split in three places. The front is adorned with a simple scallop stitch, while the back is in stockinette, and this difference naturally makes the front a little shorter than the back. With a gauge of 16 stitches/4 inches (in stockinette) you can play with yarn choices again. Something like Brooklyn Tweed’s Shelter would knit into a lofty, light and warm sweater. Meanwhile, Blue Sky’s Extra would lend some drape and femininity to this sweater. Pure Bliss’s Falkland Aran would come out luxuriously soft. This silhouette has become something I live in this winter, so this piece is especially appealing. I wear this shape over leggings or skinny trousers ALL THE TIME, and its guaranteed wear makes it especially hard to resist.
Magnolia hints at spring more than Lakeland and Stalactite. This beautiful and simple piece is written to be knit with a combination of a light fingering yarn and a lace weight silk/mohair yarn. As a firm believer that Shibui’s Silk Cloud makes everything better, I love this piece. The lace pattern along the hem of the sweater is simple enough and the construction of this sweater is also straightforward. All these things combined, this project is suitable for a an adventurously advanced beginner knitter or any lace-lover who is ready for a sweater.
Kate is a feminine and modern, do-it-all cardigan. This is the shape of cardigan that is the perfect layer for your sleeveless dresses or shells that we wear as winter turns to spring, or in an overly air-conditioned office. I love the flattering, angled lace pattern. Knit with a clever seamless assembly from the top down, this will be a fun and engaging knit. Kate calls for a fingering weight yarn, so choose a yarn like Shibui’s Birch or Stacatto, Brooklyn Tweed’s Loft or Baah’s La Jolla to name a few.
Isabell Kraemer’s Eri is an obvious standout, and it transitions beautifully into spring. Her sweaters are always popular, among our knitters and knitters of the world – and for good reason. Kraemer uses seamless construction that is incredibly comfortable to wear and magical to construct. Eri features a beautiful cabled pattern in the front, with a simple back and sleeves all done in stockinette. Eri is worked at a gauge of 22 stitches/4 inches, once again walking that line between yarn weights. Look for something between a sport weight and a DK weight yarn. Since I’m thinking about spring, Shibui’s new Fern (a gorgeous brushed cotton) immediately comes to mind. How gorgeous would this sweater be in this lusciously soft yarn? Another yarn perfect for spring that comes to mind is Elsbeth Lavold’s Silky Wool. For a cozier sweater, check out Shibui’s Maai, Juniper Moon’s Dromedary, Brooklyn Tweed’s Arbor or Debbie Bliss’s Aymara for this beautiful piece.
There are also some incredible accessories patterns. Fragment is a sock with a comfortable, flat cable, worked top down. I can’t help but think how gorgeous this would be knit up in Baah’s La Jolla.
Rift is a generous cowl designed by the up-and-coming Emily Greene. Modern angled lines cover this cozy cowl, a style that is quickly becoming her trademark. Greene calls for a worsted weight yarn and there are endless possibilities that would be beautiful for this yarn. Shepherd’s Wool, Shelter, Falkland Aran, Sueno Worsted are a few that would let those beautiful, clean lines shine.
Luoto is a quick and cool hat knit up with one skein of Brooklyn Tweed’s Quarry. It just so happens to be shown in Geode, the color I have an extra skein of from my Freja project I just completed. With a wide folded brim and soft cables, this cozy piece is perfect, quick projects for an intermediate knitter.
There’s much more to see in this issue. Besides the gorgeous patterns, there are beautiful photographs, thoughtful articles on yarn producers and designers, recipes, and travel recommendations. With so much to read and savor in this gorgeous issue, I knew I wanted to own it, regardless of whether I was going to knit anything from it!
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