Ta-da! The December issue of Knit ‘N Style… Advance copies arrived just before we left for the long holiday weekend. A little bit of a different look for the cover… the shot isn’t our usual flat-lighting, and we color blocked the logo. It’s the holiday issue so we went a little snazzy different.
This issue is always a challenging one to bring to fruition. We work six months ahead of cover date, so this issue is put together from mid-June until mid-August. Brings new meaning to the phrase, “Christmas in July.” Try mustering up holiday enthusiasm in weather conditions of 90 degrees, 90% humidity.
There are twelve other publications at All American Crafts Publishing Co and all the editors are well Christmas-ed out by the time we go to press. Not a soul can muster another “ho ho ho” except this year, a new publication was launched called Christmas 365. ACK! We’ll forever more be surrounded by Christmas 24/7!
Back to the December cover… The cover ensemble was designed by Sandi Prosser, a brilliant knitwear designer from Toronto, Canada. We love Sandi a lot – even though she is very tall, has a gorgeous figure, and lives in very expensive Italian shoes with 3″ heels.
I love to work with Sandi on a concept, discuss yarns, and let her needles fly. Her execution and finishing are total perfection. Vickie and I always marvel at the evenness of her stitches and seamless piecing. We are never disappointed in her creativity and technical skill set.
The halter top is worked in Plymouth Yarn Co’s Ecco Silk (100% silk) on size 5 needles. The Ecco Silk is a smooth, soft fiber. Sandi worked the stole and the matching bag in Plymouth’s Ecco Silk Boucle (100% silk) on size 7 needles. The texture of the boucle gives contrast to the halter yet doesn’t overpower. We were hoping for a fabulous New Year’s Eve Party outfit, and I think this timeless ensemble is an instant classic. Sandi will be wearing it to ring in 2010 with cigarette pants and her famous 3″ stilettos. You go girl!
Hats are the new socks. How we managed to schedule a tech workshop article about hats for this issue was pure luck genius. When discussing the concept with Margaret (Radcliffe) ages ago (I write contracts with freelance writers 18 months ahead of cover date), we thought it was a great quick gift idea as the December (holiday) issue goes on sale at the end of September. Since then, scads of books have crossed my desk regarding the topic of hats. I am sure there are more to come. Margaret’s article focuses on how to make custom hats with lots of variation for personal creativity.
I am heading off to Seattle on Thursday for some get away time. The cameras are coming with me, of course. I have hopes of catching Mt Rainier out from under the clouds, taking in a Yankees/Mariners game, and cruising through the San Juan Islands on a ferry just to feel the breeze in my hair. And if it rains endlessly, then I will head to the Art Museum and yarn shops (of course)!
Until next time … Happy Knitting!
Penelope
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