Celebrating 25 Years of Interweave Knits: Our All-Time Favorite Issues

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25 years is a long time, and we’ve published so many wonderful issues of Interweave Knits in those years. The Fall 2021 issue is our anniversary issue, and we’re so excited to look back at the past 25 years and forward at what’s to come.

Editors’ Favorite Issues of Interweave Knits

To help celebrate our 25th anniversary, the Knits team took a look back at our favorite issues, as well as our favorite knitting patterns from within them.

Classic, Timeless Sweaters: Winter 2016

Stephanie White, Editor

Picking a favorite issue of Interweave Knits is a daunting task, so I gave myself a few simple criteria. First, the designs need to be timeless—my favorite issue today should be equally as relevant ten years from now. And second, the articles need to be interesting. This didn’t really narrow things down all that much, but in the end, I’ve landed on Interweave Knits Winter 2016.

The issue boasts 18 “modern heritage knits” with an emphasis on Aran sweaters and ganseys. Notable favorites include the Keeley Gansey by Kephren Pritchett with its unique fit and gorgeous lace details and the Inverness Sweater by Linda Marveng (one of my favorite designers), plus an extremely enlightening article from Nancy Shroyer on picking a palette for colorwork designs. 

Spinsters and Knitters in the Sun: Summer 2017 

Julia Pillard, Assistant Editor

It’s a little hard to pick my favorite issue of our magazines. I fall in love with every issue we make, dropping a little piece of my heart into each one like breadcrumbs. But if I were to pick an issue I constantly come back to, that enchants me over and over, it must be the Summer 2017 issue of Interweave Knits.

This issue was inspired by Shakespeare, whose works are near and dear to my heart. My grandfather used to read me Shakespeare when I was a child, and I ended up acting as a teaching assistant in graduate school for a course on the bard. This issue contains projects inspired by two of my favorite plays: A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Twelfth Night, or What You Will. Airy shawls and tops are complemented by colorwork capes and draping cardigans. The photography stuns me every time, not to mention the iambic pentameter descriptions of each project. This issue also contains the third installment of an article on tubular cast-ons. There’s also a fascinating article exploring fiber arts during Shakespeare’s time. 

It’s a personal goal for me to eventually make everything in this issue. I have yarn for a few of the projects already. Whichever project I choose, I know I’ll be in Shakespeare’s hands. 

Moody, Romantic Fun: Winter 2021

Allison Korleski, Video + Podcast Producer

Picking a favorite issue of Interweave Knits is like picking a favorite food: it all depends on what I’m in the mood for. The 2021 Winter issue fulfills lot of my major cravings, however. Though billed as “Victorian Revival” on the cover, the vibe is more Wuthering Heights than Barchester Towers.

The moody romantic aesthetic comes through loud and clear in patterns like Dorian Gray‘s Pullover, while Lucy Westenra’s Wrap is a more literal (if lacy) take on Gothic architecture. While I’m sure the Victorians (or the Goths, for that matter) never wore such a thing, the Vaulted Swoncho has a graphic design that would be right at home in Northanger Abbey. 

Talk Nerdy to Me: Winter 2019

Andrea Lotz, Web and Social Media Manager

I initially intended to choose an older issue as my favorite; I’ve been reading Knits for a long time and there are many issues that are close to my heart. However, I just kept coming back to the Winter 2019 issue: the science issue.

I thought this was such a clever theme idea. Plus, the designers did such an excellent job of rising to the challenge. There was so much to learn, from interesting science facts to grafting two-color brioche. I’ve been working on a stash-busting version of the Saturn’s Rings Pullover for a while now, and I’m about to cast on the DNA Pullover as a wedding present for my fiancé. There are also some really incredible cardigans that I’ve put in my queue. This issue is loaded with must-knits!

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We hope you’ve enjoyed this look back at our all-time favorite issues of Interweave Knits! Do you have a favorite issue or Interweave pattern? Let us know in the comments! Be sure to check out our 25th anniversary issue, and don’t forget to enter our anniversary giveaway for the chance to win awesome prizes from our sponsors.

Here’s to many more years of Interweave Knits!

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Look Back at the Best of Interweave Knits