Knit Simple Winter 2018: A Review

Today we're going to have a look at Knit Simple's Winter 2018 issue.

Pattern #1, Quilted Block Cowl. What an attractive combination of colour and texture. Of course you'll need this particular self-striping yarn to recreate the look.

Pattern #2, Headband. Basic.

Pattern #3, Slouchy Hat. Not bad. Could be slouchier.

Pattern #4, Pillow. In case you need any more knitting motivation.

Pattern #5, Mittens. I don't think I'd fold up the cuff on these mittens, as they look a little too short in proportion to the rest of the mitten that way.

Pattern #6, Striped Scarf. I like it, but I think it needs fringes or some other finishing touch at the ends.

Pattern #7, Crescent Shawl. Nice shawl, though that dull colour doesn't do it any favours.

Pattern #8, Slipper Socks. These are warm and comfortable-looking, and the shaping is good.

Pattern #9, Teapot Cozy. That's a pretty yarn, but I'd like to see it used to make something with a little more style.

Pattern #10, V-Neck Poncho. I normally don't like cropped length pieces, but the length does work here, as this piece would be frumpy at a hip length. As is, it's a rather nice little topper with a shawl collar that sits impressively well.

Pattern #11, Fingerless Mitts. Very decent little mitts.

Pattern #12, Twisted Rib Hat. Some very attractive stitchwork in this one.

Pattern #13, A-Line Dress. A cute child's dress.

Pattern #14, Blanket. That's an unusually smart-looking baby blanket.

Pattern #15, Hooded Jacket. I kind of wish this jacket had a little more finish to it, but it would be a useful piece and a good stash busting project.

Pattern #16, Sweater Set. Cute!

Pattern #17, Lapghan. Looking at this I keep thinking how the edges of that little lap afghan is going to let cold air in every time its user shifts position, which probably means I'm more the afghan type than the "lapghan" type.

Pattern #18, Cowl. This one's a bit rough for my taste but it's serviceable enough.

Pattern #19, Long Scarf. Decent basic scarf.

Pattern #20, Pom Pom Hats. Not a bad-looking easy hat. I do like the furry pom poms that have come on the market in recent years. They add a lot to a simple knitted cap.

Pattern #21, Roll-Neck Pullover. So frumpy and unflattering. Even the poor model's all, "Look, I'm doing my best here, but I'm a model, not a fairy godmother."

Pattern #22, Turtleneck Pullover. A decent piece. That's a rather inventive stripe effect.

Pattern #23, Floral Granny Square Afghan. This looks like something I'd see in a thrift store... and walk quickly past.

Pattern #24, Granny Square Bag. I'm pretty sure that if I made this bag, it would turn on me, changing my name to Betty, sewing pinch pleats in my trousers, and dyeing my hair blue in my sleep.

Pattern #25, Pom Pom Hat and Mittens. Cute set.

Pattern #26, Scarf. I rather like the concept of a patterned end on a solid colour scarf.

Pattern #27, Cowl. Nice cowl. Though I can't figure out whether that motif is supposed to be people or trees, and it's beginning to bug me.

Pattern #28, Blanket. People or trees? OR ARE THEY TREE PEOPLE?

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.