Debbie Bliss Knitting Magazine Fall/Winter 2013: A Review

Debbie Bliss Knitting Magazine has released its Fall/Winter 2013 issue, and it does its best to take us from fall through the winter with vintage-inspired knits, clever beadwork, back-to-school, and Christmas patterns. Let's have a look, shall we?

Pattern #1, Cream Jacket. Not sure about this one. It's styled as an evening jacket, and while it looks passable in this professionally styled and modelled sample shot when viewed from the back, I'm inclined to think that on most of us it'll just look like we have our cardigans on backwards.

Pattern #2, Gold Bead Necklace. I'm not a fan of knitted yarn jewelry, which tends to look like something made by a ten-year-old at summer camp, but I'm always hoping to see successful examples of it. This is one of the best attempts I've seen, but it's still not quite a success. It still looks more like a collar than a necklace, although that's an improvement on looking like a lanyard.

Pattern #3, Gold Sweater. I like this sweater, though I think it was a mistake to style it as evening or dressy wear, as they've done here. It's too casual and heavy-looking for evening wear, and would look better done in a non-metallic with some pretty beads, and worn with jeans.

Pattern #4, Pearl-Beaded Sweater. This pearl-beaded Aran is very pretty, though like the pattern above it does look as though it wandered into the wrong photo shoot. It's too heavy to be worn with a sheer floaty skirt. A tailored wool skirt or trousers would be a better complement.

Pattern #5, Beaded Collar Sweater. Love this. It's so severely simple but that beaded collar is all it needs. It has three-quarter length sleeves which can be unflattering on some women, but sleeves can always be lengthened or shortened as desired.

Pattern #6, Ribbed Cardigan. Er. Not sure about this one, though it has its good points. The buttonhold band, which is described as "gently rippling", looks from this photo to be pulling away from the buttons below. The lace peplum hem is pretty but isn't going to be flattering for most women. The ribbing isn't flattering either and doesn't really work with a dressy detail like a lace peplum, especially when combined with a tulle skirt and satin sash. I'd suggest some mods to fix all these issues (i.e., ditching the ribbing for a slightly lacy pattern, finding some other way of edging the button band so it doesn't look pulled), but you'd basically have to rewrite the pattern.

Pattern #7, Sleeveless Dress. Very serviceable and classic sheath dress pattern. The yarn choice was a good one for this design – it's "Milano", which when knitted up passes at a glance for tweed fabric.

Pattern #8, Peplum Jacket. This jacket was inspired by the iconic Bar Suit from Dior's 1947 New Look collection. And it's a very competent piece of work and does indeed look quite a lot like the jacket from that famous Bar Suit, but I think it didn't quite translate into a knit – the lines (inevitably) aren't as crisp and it looks rather blah. And yet I hate to suggest mods because it's, you know, the Bar Suit. Making it in another colour and with some statement buttons might help.

Pattern #9, Boxy Jacket and Skirt. Here we have a valiant effort to translate the classic Chanel-type suit into a knit. Unfortunately that boxy suit style was really unflattering to anyone who didn't look like Gabrielle Chanel and transforming it into knitwear isn't going to help. Even the model isn't working this, though she's giving it a hero's try.

Pattern #10, A-Line Jacket. This jacket is an interpretation of another Dior design, this time from his Alphabet line. I don't think it the most flattering look, but it's simple and a classic and can look good over something quite fitted and streamlined, as has been done here.

Pattern #11, Handwarmers. I'm not a fingerless glove fan, but I must admit these are kind of cute, and probably a good compromise for a parental-child conflict regarding what the child will wear on a nippy morning. And I bet they stay cleaner than mittens do, and are more likely to remain on and therefore less likely to get lost.

Pattern #12, Legwarmers. Legwarmers do look cute on little girls. Do check with the little girl they're for before you knit though, and inquire as to as their current status among her social circle: in or out?

Pattern #13, Satchel. Love this satchel, which has a great shape and seems very well designed. It's an absolute necessity to line a knitted bag of this sort (you may want to add a sturdy interlining if the pattern doesn't call for it) and you can pick a fun, coordinating fabric as has been done here.

Pattern #14, Fox Boot Toppers. I've made fun of boot toppers in reviews before, but I think they were all supposedly intended to be worn by grown women. It does seem like a different ball game when they're on a little girl; they look fun and cute.

Pattern #15, Pencil Case. This pencil case is quite pretty, and I see it's been made to match the satchel that appeared above. Do make sure that whatever fabrics and yarns you choose for this project are machine washable, as pencil cases get grubby and ink-stained.

Pattern #16, Purse. Now this is a pattern that can be used to advantage by females of all ages. Very cute, and it should hold your coins or what have you securely.

Pattern #17, Jacket with Pattern Border. I very much like this pattern, which is a fresh use of fair isle patterns and would suit most women and most wardrobes. Make this in your favourite colour combination and you'll be able to slip it on over a number of your outfits.

Pattern #18, Boxy Jumper. I love the pattern on this sweater, but not the shape. The name of this design tells you everything you need to know, doesn't it? The inclusion of the word "boxy" in clothing description never bodes well. It's like the time I was couch shopping with my mother and she insisted we check out a store we happened by called "Excellent Furniture", even though I told her no good could come from our visiting a furniture store named Excellent Furniture. Nothing, that is, but in-jokes that are still funny 12 years later.

Pattern #19, Brocade Jacket. I was just complaining the other day in the last post of my Twentieth Century Series about the lack of intricate patterning in today's patterns compared to those of the nineties, so it's lovely to see something like this, with a rich pattern and great finishing details. I'm not crazy about the colourway, but that's just personal preference. I think it's a smart idea for Debbie Bliss Knitting Magazine to style it this way, to encourage people to think out of the box in terms of what can be done with colour.

Pattern #20, Kelim Sweater. I am so not finding this appealing, but then the colourway is unfortunate and the shoulders are dropped, and both of those can be changed. Surely we can enjoy intricate colourwork in our knitwear while leaving dropped shoulders back in the nineties where they belong, along with some other unfortunate fads, such as Vanilla Ice.

Pattern #21, Elf Onesie. This is cute, but do you really want to go to all that work to make something your baby can only wear for the month of December? I suppose if you plan it right you can have it fit baby as a Halloween costume as well as for Christmas events (though it looks a little Christmassy for Halloween), but even so that seems like a lot of knitting for a special occasion outfit.

Pattern #22, Reindeer Onesie. I like this even better than the Elf Onesie, but again... that's a lot of work for an outfit that won't get worn very much. I'd say get a crazy indulgent childless aunt or uncle to knit it for your baby, but I am a crazy indulgent childless aunt, and I wouldn't do it.

Pattern #23, Holly Wreath. Now here's an item worth the work it will take, because you can use it Christmas after Christmas for years. This really looks fantastic, and I'm especially impressed by how real it looks to a glance.

Pattern #24, Christmas Chains. I can't say I care for pattern, but then I don't like paper chains either – they're the kind of things grade school students use their decorate their Christmas trees because it's easy and inexpensive and traditional rather than because they meet any kind of aesthetic standard. I can't see putting all that work and expense into that inelegant kind of decoration.

Pattern #25, Santa Dog Coat. Oh boy. I'm going to have to try to put aside my bias against knitting for pets for this one. This is a very clever design that's obviously been made with great care and I suppose it will amuse all your Christmas party guests no end, but be warned that your dog will know it's being laughed at, and that he or she may not like that at all, which may cause some retaliatory peeing.

Pattern #26, Heirloom Christmas Stocking. Cute stocking.

Pattern #27, Christmas Tree. This is cute. I think it would work best in a country/craftsy type décor.

Pattern #28, Entrelac Hot Water Bottle Cover. This will come in handy for those Christmases when the furnace breaks down. If you regularly use a hot water bottle and care to take the time to knit it its own sweater, I'd recommend a different colourway so it can be used all winter long.

Pattern #29, Cabled Cravat. I was going to say I didn't like this, but I think I'm put off by the way this casual, heavy scarf has been thrown on over a suit, where it really doesn't belong. I can easily imagine it working over a sweater and khakis, or with a pea coat and jeans.

Pattern #30, Double Breasted Coat. I'm not sold on this design, which though it has a certain classic appeal is a bit shapeless and too blah to appeal to a child, and won't look good when worn open.

Pattern #31, Contrast Band Sweater. This sweater is fine except for the two-tone colourblocking at cuffs and hem. It just looks as though the knitter ran out of yarn. I'd do them in a single colour.

Pattern #32, Cabled Scarf. You'll have to wear this "scarf" pinned, or it will fall off almost immediately. And I suppose it's nice to have a chance to wear one's shawl pins more often, but honestly this looks just like a scarf for which there wasn't enough yarn. I'd make it much longer and/or turn it in a cowl.

Pattern #33, Paloma Scarf. Classic textured scarf. I'd be inclined to fringe the edges, or crochet a border on them, because they do look a little unfinished as is.

Debbie Bliss Magazine Spring 2013: A Review

Until very recently I had thought that knitting designer and wool manufacturer Debbie Bliss didn't have a preview of her self-named knitting magazine, Debbie Bliss Magazine, online. I can be slow like that. But I have clued in and here's a review of the Debbie Bliss Magazine Spring 2013 issue.

Debbie Bliss has gone with a Great Gatsby theme for this issue. My guess is the issue was timed to coincide with the Leonardo diCaprio/Carey Mulligan version of The Great Gatsby that's due to come out in the spring of 2013. Which is smart marketing, although judging by its trailer, the movie looks like it might be a turkey. It features a very greasy and simian-looking Leo diCaprio improbably cast as Jay Gatsby, who is supposed to be coolly elegant, and I hope that's not the music they're going with. But, I'm always up for twenties- and literature-inspired fashion, I do love the book, and I think Debbie Bliss might just be making a statement by selecting a "Daisy" who looks far more like the Mia Farrow "Daisy" than the Carey Mulligan "Daisy".

Now, about the sweater. I like it. It's cute and smart and wearable and has some interesting detailing, such as shoulder buttons.

I think I like this cardigan, but can't be sure I do because I can't see enough of it. I can't see the shawl collar it purportedly has. I can't see how it's shaped or whether it fits properly. I wish fashion photographers wouldn't get so carried away with art direction that they forget that their first and most important task is to show us the clothes in the photo.

Debbie Bliss calls this a turban, but I'd be more inclined to call it a bandeau. Whatever it's called, I'm not sure how many women will want to wear it. Leave off the beading and it could be a nice alternative to a hat in winter, sure, but this is being presented as an evening accessory for spring wear. It'll be interesting to see how many knitters on Ravelry go for it and how they make it and wear it.

Very nice little beaded clutch.

Very cute version of a twenties tennis dress. I do wish we could see it from the front, though. I have my suspicions about how that skirt looks when viewed straight on.

I do like this, but with reservations. Long, loose tops like this can look really frumpy. If you're going to make this, make sure it's not too long on you, and think about shortening the sleeves a little and adding some waist-shaping. There's a reason why costume designers who are creating costumes for a twenties period piece usually cheat and nip in the waists.

This isn't bad, but again it could use a little shaping at the waist.

Nice little cardigan. I like the ribboned effect of the bobbles. Make sure you make it large enough that it meets in the front, and do consider making the sleeves a little shorter. That right-above-the-elbow sleeve length tends to look dowdy.

This isn't bad, but it isn't anything special either. If you want to make it, I'd rethink the sleeve length. Along with just above the elbow, a few inches above the wrist bone is another sleeve length that tends not to work. The sleeve winds up looking like it shrunk in the wash rather than as though it was styled that way.

This is another design that isn't bad but isn't anything special either. However, sometimes one just need a useful plain top that can be thrown on with jeans or skirts or whatever. I'd give the top a lift by shortening the sleeves a few inches.

Very pretty and delicate lace skirt. I wish there were some way of getting a clearer picture of what's going on with the hemline. I can't tell whether the hemline is longer at the back (which wouldn't be a good thing) or if it hangs down in points at each side (which would be fine) or what. Be prepared to wear a slip with this one.

The description for this pattern calls it a "comfy jacket". I'd call it a shawl with sleeves. I'd invent a new word to describe it (slawl? shawket?) except I'm afraid it would catch on as "slanket" has apparently done. It isn't a bad design and might be a useful item for when you just need a little extra warmth and don't need to do any physical work in it. The description also says this item is "irresistible for morning rambles through field and farm".

Hahahahahahahahahaha! People who have idyllic, pastoral notions of farm life are so cute! This shawl/jacket would get nettles in it and catch on stalks and branches, as would this delicate, floaty, ground-length dress. Watch out for that cow-pie. And the groundhog hole.

Oh dear. This chevron pattern halter top, while not at all a bad piece of design, would be seriously hard to wear. As you can see, even this lovely professional model who has been dressed by professional stylists hasn't quite been able to get away with it. It's so difficult to get the proper foundation garment underneath this kind of top (even a strapless bra will probably show at the back), and the fact is that most of us who are over fifteen and a double A cup size need that support. If you aren't flat-chested and you want to make this top for yourself, resolve the support issue first. And good luck with that.

Quite nice. This is a much more wearable style for a woman who wants to show some skin without ruining her silhouette.

Darling. Debbie Bliss is so good at designing children's clothes that are wearable and classic and cute in a not-too-precious way. I have two of her books and have knitted I don't know how many patterns out of them.

Cute fair isle child's vest. This is an item that will keep getting passed down to younger siblings and cousins and friends' and neighbour's children as long as it's in good shape.

Nice, simple dress. I'd make it longer and then when the child gets too tall to wear it as a dress, pair it with leggings. Putting it over a skirt, especially a full one, makes for too bulky and awkward a silhouette.

I'm not crazy about this one. It is cute, but in a quaint, dated sort of way. I don't think it's a good idea for parents to dress their children in a too-whimsical and quirky way that bears no reference to what other children are wearing. Admittedly this little boy is too young to care about such issues.

Nice, useful little vest. You can put your little guy in this vest and a coordinating shirt and cords if you want to dress him up for some special event and it'll be the little boy's equivalent of semi-formal wear.

Darling little eyelet cardigan that will go with all a little girl's dresses, or over a t-shirt and jeans.

Beautiful, delicate lace shawl. Which even the Debbie Bliss editors didn't suggest as suitable farm wear.

Another one of those combination shawl/sweaters. I am seriously skeptical about how this sort of thing will look on women who don't have a model's figure. It'll just wind up looking saggy and droopy and sad and cause problems for the front view when it lies alongside the breasts.

Lovely little classic cabled cardigan. There's a reason why women have been wearing sweaters very much like this one for the past eight decades straight.

This little cardigan says, "I'm from 1955 and if I could make a girl with a scarf-tied ponytail and a poodle skirt look cute, just think what I can do for you!" This sweater probably will look quite good on you and go with a lot of your trousers and skirts. Though if you're large-breasted, I'd avoid it. It will look matronly rather than sporty.

The description for this item says it's knitted all in one piece in a single rib with batwing sleeves and has a "super flattering shape". I wish I could see it better in this photo so as to determine that for myself, but I think it's probably a competently designed simple little top a woman could wear quite a lot.

Here's another cute little top that will go with your jeans and a number of your skirts. I'd make it a little longer though. That cropped length just isn't all that flattering on most women.

Great concept here: sewing a thematically matched fabric backing to a blanket. It makes for a very sharp look. I'm imagining this done with a striped fabric/afghan. But having gone to all the work of making this blanket, I doubt I'd take it on a picnic and risk getting it dirty and grass-stained. I note the photo stylist went with astroturf rather than risk that.

Useful, basic tote. I notice the designer has managed to endow this tote with an impressive sturdiness; it's keeping its crisp lines despite having a not inconsiderable amount of stuff in it. It's fabric-lined, and probably has a fairly heavy-duty interlining in it as well.

Love this cherry pillow. That is one really well-designed graphic; very simple and striking.

Another nice cherry motif pillow. These pillows will work really well together and can also stand on their own. Or you could make a pillow with the single cherry on it and then an afghan to match with the smaller, repeating cherry pattern.

Not a bad bottle cozy, though I'd do it in a solid colour. Of course a common jibe at crafters is that we put cozies on everything, but it does make sense to put cozies on things that need to be kept hot or cold. And it would be nice to cover up a bottle that was probably some corporate promo item and is kind of ugly with its own little cabled sweater.

This isn't a bad design for what it is... but before you decide to invest the time in making it, I'd think about how much you're going to use it. I see a lot of picnic baskets at thrift shops. People think they're going to use them and then they don't. If you really already do a lot of camping or picnicking and can use it for that, go for it. Otherwise... avoid knitting projects that you intend to change your life to use, because it doesn't usually work that way. It's best to knit for the life you have.