Greetings, knitters,

Writing at the tail end of winter from still-chilly NYC, we take pleasure in knowing you’ll be perusing these pages in the warmer months ahead. Summer is a tough time for knitters, loath as we are to put away our wool UFOs, but these pages are crammed with designs sure to keep you stitching even as the temperature rises.

In tough economic times, glamour can be hard to come by, which is why we think the glitz in Shimmer ’n Shine (page 36) is such a treat. There’s something for everyone, from the highimpact dazzle of Julie Hines’s sexy sequined miniskirt to the delicate shimmer of the beads splashed across Jeannie Atkinson’s vintage-inspired sweater, all done in a way that’s distinctly knit.1. Our scarf feature (page 32) is perfect for recession knitting: all four items take only a few skeins each and utilize interesting techniques that will keep you busy for hours. Consider shopping from your stash, using that yarn you’ve been saving for a special occasion. There’s no time like the present to treat yourself.

Discover the benefits of cotton yarn in Gallery Girls (page 26). As always, we’ve included projects for knitters of all skill levels. The six garments in this feature range from Jill Wright’s sweet and simple knit-and-purl tunic to Josh Bennett’s perfectly tailored cabled top, which, he tells us, he’s been wanting to knit for years. Short sleeves equal less yarn, so stitch without reservation. We’ve also included an article by Leslie Petrovski on the hows and whys of working with this versatile fiber (page 22).

Our Sock Challenge (page 44) was great fun, and we know you’ll love the results as much as we do. Shown only a photo of a paintingas inspiration, our four fabulous sock designers had free rein over their designs, and when the socks arrived in the office, each one was a delightful surprise.

Whether knitting for you is a hobby, a compulsion or a lifestyle, the craft has the transformative power to remove us from the distractions of daily life. We firmly believe that making time to do something you love is a necessity, not a luxury. We hope the designs in this issue inspire you to feel the same way.