DIY Life

It's the beginning of the month, and web-savvy knitters know what that means: a new issue of MagKnits to check out. This month, there are only five patterns, but they all look good.

There's a pretty short-sleeved horseshoe lace cardigan, Rainbow Socks that exploit the properties of self-striping yarn by using short rows to turn the usual stripes into arcs, and a lace headband. The Lása Shawl Headband is basically a short, narrow lace scarf; you can choose your level of difficulty, and it would probably be easy to modify if you wanted something longer. A good beginning lace project on the easiest level, a way to practice more advanced techniques if you'd like to, and a nice gift.

That covers the wearables, but what about everything else? The Burridge Lake Afghan is a beautiful, symmetrical Aran showpiece, designed to be interesting to knit (there is minimal reverse stockinette stitch, which is ordinarily so common in Aran designs). Also, the pattern uses Trinity stitch, which is worked on the wrong side, so you won't zombie out every other row. I mean, afghan rows are long.

Finally, Bitty Boo is the issue's "whimsical" pattern: a tiny felted ghost for Halloween!