Passing Pattern

Football doesn't exist outside the world that makes it. It absorbs everything — politics, identity, place, time — and reflects it back at you. Reflections: The Pitch as a Mirror is a mixed media gallery show brought to you by football creatives from around the world. Chicago, June 12–14. Free entry - RSVP at link in bio. Different programming each night. More to come.

92 pages. 150 copies. Hand numbered. Printed in Belgium. A community club on Chicago's North Side plays football the way it was meant to be played. Peter McCabe on the logos that defined a tournament. Cape Verde arrive on the world stage for the first time. Nigeria's shirt as a statement of identity. The Stars and Stripes, then and now. And a few kits worth coveting. Issue 4 drops this June.

Where the game lingers, sound carries it. In chants, recordings, and objects that outlive the moment. A few months ago, walking through Mexico City, I found a vinyl from the 1970 World Cup. What caught me was the cover. I couldn’t believe it when I saw the iconic typography printed on a vinyl lying on the floor. World Cup anthems hold memory. Waka Waka still brings me back to Tshabalala’s opening goal. Moments like that stay tied to sound. Glad I found this in Mexico City, the home of the 1970 World Cup, and it’s now part of my collection.

This week’s recommendation is @passingpattern - a magazine from Milan via Chicago that marries great football writing with beautiful design. Issue 2 is large format on newsprint and comes with a beautiful riso poster and has articles about finding and creating connections through pickup football, a footballer who inspired a nation, and discovering your love for football. Issue 3 is on traditional magazine paper stock and in brown bag sleeve and questions the current state of the game - What’s worth holding on to? What do we pass forward? And what should we leave behind? As ever, tap the photo above to buy or get it via stanchionbooks dot com, and we ship worldwide. #footballIzine #footballmagazine #printisnotdead

✨ What an amazing day at the @getflea 5th Year Holiday Market at Stan Mansion! 🎄💫 Yesterday was truly magical. Over 65 incredible vendors and local artists filled the beautiful Stan Mansion with creativity, color, and holiday spirit. The energy was joyful from start to finish—holiday shopping, a cozy movie screening, delicious food, fun drinks, and a whole community coming together to support small businesses and independent makers. Thank you to everyone who came out, shopped local, shared good vibes, and helped make this 5th-year celebration unforgettable. ❤️ Great energy, beautiful people, and so much love for the arts. Can’t wait for the next one! 🎁✨

Getflea's 5th Year Anniversary Holiday Market at Stan Mansion. Tomorrow Sunday December 5th from 2pm to 10 pm Over 65 amazing vendors. Vintage and locally design clothing, art, jewelry, delicious food and much more. Stop by the Bar for some yummy drinks, fun playful pins by @pinupshawty and @passingpattern Soccer magazines, newspapers posters, and zines. Perfect Christmas Gift! #shoplocal #supportlocalbusinesses #supportlocalartist #chrismasshopping #pinupshawty #passingpattern #soccer #soccerplayer #soccerlover

@crossbarsyndicate Solidarity Series this summer was always good times ⚽🎶🤝 in the midst of everything going on in the world it's nice have a space where things feel ok for a while and it's been amazing to be able to see how ⚽ can bring people together in our city 🙏 and beyond 📸 @vivacarlito

Hey team! Are you warmed up and ready to get off the bench? Chicago-based football/design publication Passing Pattern is looking for contributors! ABOUT THE PROJECT: Passing Pattern is an independent football-design publication based in Chicago, with contributors across two continents. They explore the half-space where football, design, and culture overlap. They seeking writers, designers, and photographers for Issue 4, releasing in June 2026. Pitch a story, photo essay, interview, or visual concept. You can reach out to [email protected] with the following subject: “Issue 4 Pitch — [Your Name]”

Take every opportunity you can to have fun with your friends

Recents BTS for @passingpattern issue 3 Birthday pics @isabellatsn And @alisearou 💕 📸: @isabellatsn

@passingpattern totes from discarded kits. Lined with raw, dyed, & bleached canvas. Straps from homie parting with his dad's bag making business out of a container behind a supermarket in Skokie. Heavy Duty. Interfacing. Well used, before reuse. @alekstzander thank you for the opportunity vato 📸 by Solène who can't be mentioned on IG

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 Applause to all involved in making it a special night for footy 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 If you didn’t get to attend - go get yourself the top class 3rd edition Passing Pattern Magazine! Action shots to follow folks!