Meghan’s Top 5 Interweave Knits Issues of All Time

This is an impossible task. How can I possibly choose my top 5 favorite Interweave Knits issues of all time?! I’ve been an Interweave knitter since I began knitting over a decade ago. The stockpile of back issues I have in my possession is mind boggling and doesn’t even include the issues I’ve served over as editor.

Then again, there are a few issues that spring to mind—old as well as new. One of my favorite things to do as a knitter is revisit an old issue or pattern I love and find something new I didn’t notice the first time around. Let’s take a look at my “top 5” favorite issues of all time and perhaps we’ll all discover something new together.

1. Interweave Knits Fall 2007

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The gorgeous Fall 2007 issue is unquestionably my favorite issue of Interweave Knits. I’ve made the Tangled Yoke Cardigan twice, the Cobblestone Pullover once, the Dickenson Pullover twice, the Minimalist Cardigan once, and the Tyrolean Stockings twice. Phew. That’s a lot of knitting projects from one magazine. I covet my copy and will probably be buried with it, since it’s the issue responsible for turning me into a knitting fanatic.

2. Interweave Knits Winter 2017

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The Winter 2017 issue is personally near and dear to my heart. To this day, it’s my favorite issue I’ve served over as editor. The juxtaposition of the dark and masculine Whiskey & Wool story and the light and feminine Winter Bride story showcased the best of what an issue of Knits can be, IMHO.

Not to mention, I’ve made the Killarney Tunic and wear it constantly! I’ll probably make it again this winter. I also plan on making the Belfast Cardigan; I wore it around the office until I was forced to return it to the designer, and I think it’s time for an oversized cabled sweater of my very own.

3. Interweave Knits Winter 2016

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Here’s a little inside-Interweave secret: When a new editor takes over, the previous editor has already assembled all the content for approximately two future issues; it’s the new kid’s job to carry through their work to the end. It was just my luck that my “first” issue of Interweave Knits was to carry out one of Lisa Shroyer’s best issues ever!

Interweave Knits Winter 2016 is a masterful collection of cables, texture, colorwork, and woolly goodness. The simple cream palette with pops of color here and there evokes winter and the traditional knitting we all love seeing in the pages of Knits.

A few of the standout designs in this issue caught my eye, like the Hoxey Cowl, the MacGowan Pullover, the Inverness Sweater, and, last but not least, the Coldfield Pullover (the fact that I designed Coldfield has no bearing on my selection, ahem.)

4. Interweave Knits Fall 2016

When I was a brand-new editor, the 20th anniversary edition of Interweave Knits was staring me full in the face. No pressure, right?

Right—because the designers, past editors, and our editorial team brought their A games for this issue. It’s got the reflective editor’s letter, beautiful and timeless projects, and the educational and informative articles we expect from Interweave Knits.

Not only that, but we had so many fantastic contributions that there wasn’t enough room for them all in the issue, so we created a special digital collection, too.

I’ve already made several projects in this issue, including the Bear Lake Pullover, the Augusta Cardigan, the Bandelier Socks, and the Rodin Cardigan. And I plan on making more!

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5. knit.wear Spring/Summer 2016

Surprise! There are many excellent issues of Interweave Knits, but it would be shameful not to mention knit.wear on my top favorites list. Knit.wear Spring/Summer 2016 was the re-premier issue of knit.wear after a year-long hiatus, and there was much rejoicing upon its return.

This issue is modern, it’s gorgeous, it’s occasionally quirky, and most of all, it has ballerinas. The ethereal grace of ballet combined with ultra-feminine knitwear had us dreamy-eyed during our photo shoot, and it carried through to the finished product.

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Take a look at all the issues of Interweave Knits (and knit.wear) I didn’t have room to expound upon today!

With love,
Meghan

(Originally posted on July 23, 2018; updated on July 2, 2019.)

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