Hey, I have something exciting to share with you, so lurkers, come on out of the woodwork! Jaala Spiro, editor of Knitcircus Magazine and fellow Madison knitter, offered me a number of Knitcircus freebies to give away.
If you’re not familiar with Knitcircus, it’s a Madison-based knitting magazine that recently transitioned from a paper magazine format to online distribution. They now have a model sort of similar to Twist Collective (but a lot cheaper!) where each issue features some free patterns and some patterns that are for-pay only–the current issue is $7.50 for the full collection of 20 patterns. I’m glad to see them move to the online format–although I loved having paper copies of the magazine to hold and leaf through, the potential audience is much larger for the online mag. I’d love to see this locally published knitting magazine become as well-known as Twist or Knitty, so if you like their patterns, spread the word.
If you’re interested, leave a comment telling me which Knitcircus design is your favorite, and next Sunday, April 11, I’ll do a random drawing to determine the winners. I have two full year’s magazine subscriptions (value: $23.50 each) and three individual pattern collections (value: $7.50 each) to give away. Please make sure to give me your email address so I can get in contact with you if you win–if I don’t hear back from you within a few days I’ll need to pick someone else.
To get you started on the pattern browsing, here are a few of the lovelies from the current issue, Issue 9:
The Twilight Shawl–combines Kauni yarn with a really interesting shape, and for once I think the name is actually a reference to a time of day. (You have to look at the modeled photo on Ravelry with this wrapped around the shoulders and neck–the one below shows the shape but doesn’t show how pretty the shawl looks with the layers of Kauni stripes when worn.)
Raveled Wristies–free! And named after Ravelry! Awww.
Seamless Slippers–another free pattern, this looks like a great quick gift!
Four Seasons Cardigan–the cardigan from the cover, meant for layering.
Check out the archives, too–some of my favorites from past issues are Kate’s Cardigan from Issue 5 (the photoshoot involves ice cream! More of my pattern photos need to involve ice cream in the future) and And All Things Nice, a girl’s dress from Issue 8.
Wow, Knit Circus is great!!! I’m so glad they’ve gone online now because though I’ve admired some of their patterns before I’ve never been able to get my hands on them. I love a lot of the patterns from the current issue but right now my favorite is the Diamond Hat. I’ve been bitten by the colorwork bug recently so that might have something to do with it.
Thanks for the drawing!
I have so much Kauni in my stash, that I have had a hard time figuring out how to use. It seems that I got fed up with it, but lately I have re-seen the beauty in the colours and I am now looking for patterns in how to use the striping effect in the yarn.
Thank you for opening my eyes for KnitCircus – fabulous patterns! My favorite is The Twilight Shawl. Not only because I have been bitten my a certain series of teenagebooks (yeah, I´m almost 30 years old), I love that hour in the afternoon in the twilight, when we camp where there is just enough light to knit, and the colours begins to blend. But because it has given me more ideas how to use the Kauni-stash.
/Julia
Wow! I love 4 season’s cardigan and my goodness! Twilight shawl is beautiful!
Being in the UK i haven’t heard of Knitcircus, just a wonderful mag! It looks very like uk magazine Yarn Forward which is dedicated to bringing original designs.
I’m going for another delve into knitcircus, thanks so much for bringing it to my attention!
(PS sorry if this appears twice…I’ve been having problems posting comments on wordpress today!)
I really love the Twilight Shawl. I’m really into unusual shawl shapes right now – big rectangular stoles are my favorite thing to wear, but they are so boring to knit, so I’m always on the lookout for shawls that have the look of a stole but also have an interesting construction. This fits the bill very nicely!
I’m with you in liking to have the paper magazine from an aesthetic viewpoint, but I have to say that from a practical viewpoint, having the magazine as a PDF is really useful. In fact, I’ve taken to scanning patterns from Interweave or whereever that I am currently working on, since I pretty much much have my computer with me whereever I go.
I really love the Twilight shawl from the current issue (great construction!). Thanks for pointing out this magazine to us – I had never heard of Knitcircus, and I look forward to perusing further!
I have had my eye on this magazine for a bit. I love the fact that there are easy to challenging patterns for the whole family plus other great projects.
I fell in love with the All Things Nice dress. I have a 5 year old girl and lots of little nieces to knit for.
A subscription to this magazine would be great.
Thanks for offering it up.
Ooh, I’ve never heard of this magazine, but I quite like the designs. The twilight shawl is gorgeous! I also really like the diamond lace scarf — I’ve been looking for a great pattern to use up some lace yarn in my stash! Thanks for the chance to win 🙂
Wow what a generous offer! I love Prickle … very very cool pattern but I also love the cabled fingerless Rav mitts! Thanks for offering this!
I had never heard of knitcircus! there’s a good spread of different type designs, and I like the twilight shawl best. And I think it’s great there’s stuff on sewing in the magazine too.
I love Knitcircus, and while I’ll miss the print copies, I think they’ve done an amazing job with the online format. I love how they take advantage of all the neat places and people in Madison. For example, I love Macha, the site of the photoshoot for the most recent issue.
As for patterns, I too really want to make a Kate Cardigan – but I’m a wuss about knitting sweaters. So a more likely pattern for me is Picot Shawl from issue #6.
Please add my name to the list for the giveaway. I also purchased your scarf and hat pattern recently. Beautiful work.
I love the slip stitch pattern also, got that too.
What a great online magazine! Thanks for posting about it. I love the variety of articles – not just knitting. My fav pattern at first glance is the seamless slippers. Looks like a great quick knit.
I have been eyeing the leaf lace hat for some time.
Oops, hit reply to the wrong post! I love the Four-Seasons Cardi. It is so pretty. That Twilight Shawl is unbelievably gorgeous too.
The Twilight shawl is stunning. I previously subscribed to Knitcircus and have received the remains of my subscription online. But I would love love a renewal.
I have been wanting to get a subscription to KnitCircus since I found them a few weeks ago…I love the design, and the patterns are lovely. I am particularly attracted to the Twilight Shawl, because I really want to try some Kauni yarn 🙂
Wow, thanks for mentioning this. I’ll have to go back and read the articles –and decide if my greatniece Kayla needs Kayla or Jule or both. I think her mother would love both of them. How to choose….. I think I’d knit Jule first, probably because I don’t think I’d make it once she reaches a bigger size and it doesn’t come super-big. A sweater — I’ve made her several already but it comes in a bigger size than the dress, so I could easily make Kayla for Kayla later.
Ooh, I like the Diamond Lace handwarmers. Also, I had forgotten about KnitCircus, so thanks for reminding me about it!
I really like the pattern on the Diamond Back Laptop Sleeve, but for me it would be a cusion cover, since I don’t have a laptop. Thanks for the generous giveaway.
I like Twilight, Baby Janes, Feather and Fan, Angularity, Mushroom Hat, Fountain Lace, Rav Wristers, Raffaello Beret, and the Leaf Lace Hat. The Mama Janes are pretty awesome too.
Looks like a nice magazine.
The angularity vest and baby janes both look like they would be fun and well used!
I love The Twilight Shawl. both the pattern and the colors.
it looks like a lovely magazine and I think it should have no problem expanding.
Ooh, I’ve been wanting to check out Knit Circus more! I have been admiring the Four Seasons Cardigan lately…it’s adorable.
WOW… that is a great site. I took a quick stroll through the issue and can’t wait to go back and read all the articles. That twilight shawl looks great too. Thanks for letting us know about this ‘zine!
Knit Circus is an awesome magazine! My fav project in the current issue is the Spring Thaw Tee with the Kayla Toddler Sweater a very close second choice. Thanks so much for posting the contest, and drawing my attention back to this great publication.
Knit Circus is such a fun magazine. I have made the fingerless gloves in issue 9. They have been such a treat on my hands. As for my favorite, it is the gloves until I make something else from the pages. Many thanks for the change to win.
I love this magazine. It has true creative spirit. My eye is on the Twilight Shawl for a gift for someone special.
Jane@jpknits.com
I really like the Espalier Shawl. Its a lovely construction. Thanks for bringing this magazine to me. Its not something I’ve seen before, being based in the UK. Digital magazines makes it more accessible
I love the design and I love the twilight shawl.
I love KnitCircus! Just another reason why Wisconsin rocks!
I love the twilight shawl, but my favorite is one you didn’t feature; the Kayla toddler sweater. I love small projects that are challenging but don’t stress my attention span. Kayla fits the bill.
I’m glad you put a reminder up about this – not becuase I’m desperate to win something (not that I’d object, mind) but becuase I wanted to thank you for the introduction to a magazine I’d not come across previously. There are some lovely patterns and, from the looks of issue 9, some pretty interesting articles. I hope they do manage to expand. As for your competition question, I love the pattern for the Sivas pullover in issue 7 though having looked at it on ravelry, not the rest of the shaping, but I think my favourite item from the archives is a toss up between the Diamond Hat in issue 9 (apparently I like that designer’s style – I liked lots of her other designs too) and the raspberry parfait mittens in issue 7. Hmmm. If I had to choose, I’d probably go with the hat becuase I’m on a bit of a stranded knitting kick at the moment.
Thanks for the link to the magazine.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and just had to share it on my blog (with link to you of course!)
http://jemajo-knitting.blogspot.com/2010/04/online-magazine-to-browse-this-morning.html
Lots of inspiration there, as I have already pointed out on the posting.
Great blog you have here – I’m following!! 😀
The Twilight Shawl is calling my name. I love this one. I hope I win!
I think the seamless slippers are really cute.
The Twilight Shawl, for sure!
I love the diamond shawl. I’m stuck in the house with a broken foot so this would be a great cheer me up!
I love the seamless slippers the best! I like the mittens and the shawl too, but these slippers are very cool. Definitely making a pair for myself.