I'm tiring of the UK knitting magazines. I find that the patterns tend not to be as inspiring as those found in, for example, Interweave Knits. Their style and feel puts me off too; not that I'm a snob (perish the thought!) but they feel a bit downmarket compared to the American ones. Also, it sometimes feels that with the monthly (as opposed to quartely) format, they're struggling to find the content to fill each issue.

I think this month's issues will be my last. I'll continue to buy Interweave Knits and Vogue Knitting, and perhaps take out a subscription to the other Interweave Press magazine, Knitscene.

The poll's multiple-choice, by the way.

I dont buy any - theres too much for me to keep up with just on the internet:D

LisaH xxx

I dont buy any - theres too much for me to keep up with just on the internet:D

LisaH xxx
It's certainly cheaper :) .

Hi All, I don't bother with the UK magazines either. Simply knitting is ok if you are a beginner knitter but not for someone a bit more experienced. I am also not that keen on knitting. I think that the american magazines such as Vogue Knitting have a much better variety of patterns and are much more fashionable. The only problem is that you have change the yarns for every pattern because none use UK yarns.
I have never tried interweave though, I might give that a try.
Sarah :)

Sarah, I really recommend trying Interweave Knits; it's my favourite knitting magazine. The only problem is that it can sometimes be a little difficult to get hold of. The only shop I've seen it in is Borders, though several of the internet shops stock it.

It's less high-fashion that Vogue Knitting, and the articles are excellent. The also often feature sock patterns, which is a definite bonus for me.

If you're interested, episode 7 of the podcast Knitcast (http://www.knitcast.com/) is an interview with the editor of Interweave Knits Pam Allen, and Episode 23 is an interview with the former editor Ann Budd.

I too don't buy any because I think the patterns are a bit old fashioned and don't convey the right image of knitting. We are not all toothless grannies making 4 ply v-neck sweaters. We are forward thinking, intelligent women who want to express ourselves with our craft.

I too don't buy any because I think the patterns are a bit old fashioned and don't convey the right image of knitting. We are not all toothless grannies making 4 ply v-neck sweaters. We are forward thinking, intelligent women who want to express ourselves with our craft.
You should take a look at Vogue Knitting and Interweave Knits in that case; nothing further from the old-fashioned image of knitting :) . Actually, there is something further away from the old-fashioned image: Knit1 (http://www.knit1mag.com/), but I don't think it's really me...

Can you get knit1 in this country? the website link looks like it's only available in US and Canada. I've never bought a magazine, but this thread has got me thinking I might!!

Can you get knit1 in this country? the website link looks like it's only available in US and Canada. I've never bought a magazine, but this thread has got me thinking I might!!
You can get it in the UK, but the only place I've seen it is Borders. Some of the internet shops sell it too.

Be warned though if you send off for it without seeing it; it's small format (about A5 size). It's about the size of the 'handbag' copies of Cosmo etc, though not as thick. When I first saw it, I reminded me of one of those free supplements you sometimes get in Knitting magazines.

I've just bought Knitscene, which is Interweave Press's version of Knit1 (ie. Interweave Knits, but aimed at a younger audience). It's a similar small format (a little bigger though, possibly), but I think it's much better than Knit1; a lot classier.

I've bought the last two copies of simply knitting, i'm a sucker for free gifts :) but it's also got some interesting bits in for a begniner like me, as you say.

It's recommended a book called Hip Knits this month, have any of you got experience of this book?

...It's recommended a book called Hip Knits this month, have any of you got experience of this book?
I haven't got it, though it is on my Amazon wish list (along with about 50 other knitting books :roll:).

I've put it in my shopping basket on amazon, but haven't pressed the scary button as yet.

Apparently it looks like a newer version is due out at the end of July, I wonder if thats why they are trying to sell it cheap in Simply Knitting :suspect:

you guys have me in stiches

you guys have me in stiches
Thank you :) . And thanks for your contribution. Now, what do you want to know about knitting?...

you guys have me in stiches

:rolleyes: is that supposed to be funny?

You can get it in the UK, but the only place I've seen it is Borders. Some of the internet shops sell it too.

Be warned though if you send off for it without seeing it; it's small format (about A5 size). It's about the size of the 'handbag' copies of Cosmo etc, though not as thick. When I first saw it, I reminded me of one of those free supplements you sometimes get in Knitting magazines.

I've just bought Knitscene, which is Interweave Press's version of Knit1 (ie. Interweave Knits, but aimed at a younger audience). It's a similar small format (a little bigger though, possibly), but I think it's much better than Knit1; a lot classier.

OK cheers Hecate. So would guys recommend Vogue knitting? I almost took out a subscription a while ago, but the patterns looked quite complicated -I was worried that by the time I'd finsished knitting the, they'd have gone out of fashion!

OK cheers Hecate. So would guys recommend Vogue knitting? I almost took out a subscription a while ago, but the patterns looked quite complicated -I was worried that by the time I'd finsished knitting the, they'd have gone out of fashion!
I would recommend a subscription to Vogue, though I agree that the patterns can be complicated. I must admit to buying Vogue more for the articles and the inspiration.

The one I would really recommend taking out a subscription to is Interweave Knits (http://www.interweave.com/knit/default.asp). It's quarterly too, like Vogue Knitting. They're of a similar quality, but the patterns in IK - while excellent - tend to be less high-fashion. It depends what your tastes are though.

I have just cancellled my sub to Simply Knitting. it's not just that the patterns are mainly aimed at beginners, but that they are riddled with mistakes and these are not clearly indicated in the next issue. Interweave Knits is by far the best knitting magazine around right now in my opinion, and if I could only buy one magazine, this would be it.

Having said this, apparently there is a new British knitting magazine coming out soon which is more like IK in style and patterns than our current mags. It will be interesting to see how it does.

...Having said this, apparently there is a new British knitting magazine coming out soon which is more like IK in style and patterns than our current mags. It will be interesting to see how it does.
Now that does sound interesting. I shall certainly keep an eye out for that. it can't come soon enough for me. It's not that I'm unwilling to pay a little extra for IK, Vogue Knitting et al; it's just that it would be lovely to have a British magazine of similar quality, style and feel.

The current British knitters' magazines are fine, and are excellent for beginners as they go to a lot of trouble to explain the basics - clearly illustrating new stitches etc. It's just that I'm generally unable to find patterns that I really like in them, and you've got to admit that they are a little down market. Sorry if that sounds snobbish, but IK is head and shoulders above the British magazines in terms of style and content.

Don't buy English magazines as the patterns seem quite old-fashioned and boring. Would like get Vogue Knitting but can't find it here.

I used to have Simply Knitting every month, my mum started buying it for me from issue 3. Even had it on subscription after she died, but they mucked up my subscription and they did me a favour to be honest. The patterns seem a bit old fashioned now. I have bought most of the knitting magazines over the past few years, but I've just bought my first copy of Rowan Knitting and Crochet magazine and I must admit, I am bowled over. It may just be this issue, but all those lovely cables and colours have my head in a spin. Gini, Vogue is now Designer Knitting, I think, and you can get it at The Wool Baa.

I am a sucker for a free gift my rule of thumb is that you never can get too many bits and bobs for your knitting and crochet, there is always going to be something lost by me. The one that I seem to get more often than not is Let's Knit, which seems to be good at the moment and their forum seems to be quite friendly too. As for Vogue Knitting it seems to be too complicated for me so there is no point in me getting it - I think I should just stick to internet patterns, they are cheaper and I won't get a stack of magazines piled up in the front room ;)