Knit Simple Holiday 2018: A Review

Knit Simple has released its Holiday 2018 issue. Let's have a look at it, shall we?

Pattern #1. Very pretty, and the yarn gives it such a luscious, luxurious look.

Pattern #2. This one's attractive, though I don't believe I'd wear it with evening wear. It has a too sensible, too cozy look for that.

Pattern #3. This open front cardigan sits well and would be very wearable.

Pattern #4. Good lines and detailing.

Pattern #5. Nice stitchwork.

Pattern #6. This one needs a little more oomph. I would have done a little more with the centre line of detail on this one, or put it in a slightly more interesting yarn.

Pattern #7. This would be a cute accessory for a child's room.

Pattern #8. Cute and fun!

Pattern #9. I like the idea of a unicorn scarf and mittens, but not this particular execution. That's one sad attempt at creating a unicorn's face. It looks less like a unicorn than a depressed albino donkey wearing a mutant carrot for a horn because it's tragically focused on trying to be a unicorn rather than learning to love itself for the special living being it actually is.

Pattern #10. This unicorn's face is slightly better, but not enough better. I suppose the pom poms are to hide the bottom of the horn, but they don't make any sense visually and I'd put more rainbow fringe there instead.

Pattern #11. A very decent-looking cowl.

Pattern #12. Basic but wearable cap.

Pattern #13. Very basic cowl. Which I would not style over a suit jacket.

Pattern #14. The least little tweak to the basic stripe can make it look fresh.

Pattern #15. Nice set with an interesting play of colour.

Pattern #16. A slightly different construction adds to the interest and style of this hat.

Pattern #17. This one needs a fringe. It's too plain as is.

Pattern #18. A decent pair of mitts, and they look like they'll fit well.

Pattern #19. A little too basic.

Pattern #20. These are rather appealing, but I'm not sure I'd use them. I don't set my yarn out in decorative baskets and I'm not sure what I would put in these. I suppose that, as when acquiring any sort of organizational device, the key is to know what one plans to use it for before buying or making it.

Pattern #21. At the risk of sounding like a traitor to our craft, I'll just say that crocheted baskets are better than knitted ones as they'll hold their shape better.

Pattern #22. This would be an inexpensive way to dress up a recycled storage canister. Clean up an empty tin can or jar and crochet it a custom-sized cover that matches your decor using stash yarn.

Pattern #23. As I said above, it's a good idea to know what you want to store in the basket before you crochet the basket. Even Knit Simple is running short of ideas as to what to put in their set of crocheted baskets.

Pattern #24. Making your own hanging basket covers could be a way to free up some surface/shelf space and cover up a recycled plant pot, but I do believe I could crochet a more interesting hanging pot cover than these.

Pattern #25. Simple but sharp blanket. I'm not clear on what's in the baby's hand.

Pattern #26. A classic ripple blanket and block.

Pattern #27. A contemporary-style ripple blanket and block. I'd go with this one in preference to the one above, as it has a fresher, more attractive look than the granny-style ripples above.

Knit Simple Fall 2018: A Review

Knit Simple has released its Fall 2018 issue. Let's take a look at it, shall we? (Please note that, at least as of this writing, for some reason only nine of the 21 designs below have pattern pages on Ravelry, and that I can only link to the ones that are available.)

Pattern #1, Colorwork Yoke Pullover. The yoke and sleeve detail are fine, but I would add some shaping and edging to the necklines, cuffs, and hem.

Pattern #2, Ribbed Yoke Sweater. Again, I like the yoke, but I'd be adding waist shaping and edge finishing.

Pattern #3, Tricolor Pullover. Not bad. The color blocking has a fun, sporty look, and the edges are finished.

Pattern #4, Triangle Shawl. An attractive and not-so-simple shawl. There's some nice stitchwork in this.

Pattern #5, Gradient Shawl. Nice! This designer has taken the gradient effect steps beyond simple bands of colour.

Pattern #6, Garter and Lace Shawl. Very pretty traditional lace-edged shawl.

Pattern #7. This one would be an excellent stash buster. I'm guessing that the log cabin images on the wall behind the bed are supposed to reference the log cabin design of this afghan. (Nice touch, photo stylists!)

Pattern #8, Striped Log Cabin Afghan & Pillows. Very sharp and contemporary.

Pattern #9. This one has an appealing, smart effect too.

Pattern #10. Good-looking, wearable cowl.

Pattern #11. A handsome cabled scarf.

Pattern #12. I like the lattice pattern bands. I wish I could see rest of the sweater better to get an idea of what the shaping and edge finishing are like.

Pattern #13. A nice pair of mitts. I'm glad to see that, with all Knit Simple's efforts to keep their patterns accessible for beginner knitters, they haven't forsworn the cable.

Pattern #14, Headband. Wearable and attractive and cosy on the ears.

Pattern #15. Very decent basic cap.

Pattern #16. Your basic striped child's sweater. The attractiveness of this one will rest on the colourway.

Pattern #17. The combination of colour blocks and stripes is fun, and the shaping is good.

Pattern #18. Another basic striped kid's sweater, this time a cardigan. There are happier colourways for this design than this one.

Pattern #19. Cute Peruvian-style hat and mitts set. I like the fun colour palette of this one.

Pattern #20. Cute set, but I'm not sure I'm on board with the fringe going up the *side* of the scarf. It looks like the knitter didn't weave their colour change ends in.

Pattern #21, Leaf Pattern Cowl, Hat & Mitts. This set was designed by Nicky Epstein, who can always be relied upon to bring the whimsy. I like the combination of the leaf motifs and the autumnal gradient colours.