Knit Simple Fall 2019: A Review

Knit Simple has released their Fall 2019 issue. Let's have a look at it, shall we? There is a Ravelry page for this issue, but as of this writing it only has two pattern pages, which I've added to the post.

This one's quite attractive and wearable. That is a nicely shaped neckline, and though there is a slight dropped shoulder I think it's fine for this design.





This one combines a 1960s-ish style with a contemporary colourblock concept, and the effect is fun, though there are more interesting colour combinations for this style than the one used here.

A really lovely cap and cowl set.

This one looks less like a shawl than it does an upcycled curtain. I'd have added a little more shaping.

This scarf looks like a beginner project -- like something someone with a modicum of knitting skill could make without a pattern. Actual patterns should offer knitters something more than that.

Very much like this one. It's simple, yet so wearable, and that neckline detail gives the piece such a polished look.

Cute, though I'm not quite satisfied with the rendering of the hippos. The circles look a little random and odd.

Also cute. I do like the combination of the hippos, the stripes, and the grass effect.

Not a bad little jacket. This design makes me think of Elizabeth Zimmerman's iconic Tomten jacket.

Simple and usable little booties.

Nice little baby sacque. I think I'd go with more interesting buttons on this one, as it needs a little something.

A very decent striped baby blanket. This would be a good scrap yarn project.

I would go with fun colours for these textured hats.

The design isn't bad but I'm finding the red and brown "brick wall" colourway used here a little too literal and not that pleasing.

Nice texture. I do like a faux fur bobble on a handknit hat.

A pleasing, simply textured hat.

A very decent hat and cowl set.

These are very smart.

Pattern #20, Wide Plaid Pillows. Very eye catching!

A nice tartan effect.

Really like this gingham-look afghan.

Pattern #23, Fingerless Mitts. Basic but serviceable enough.

I like the design of this set well enough, but the colours are making my retinas ache.

Simple crocheted stole.

This is an inoffensive little wrap, but that's one weirdly haphazard way to style it.

I think this one might make me feel as though I had two overextended dishcloths wound around my neck.

A rather cute set. The gray, hot pink, and orange colourway at least works better in this design than it did in the set four designs above.

Knit Simple Spring & Summer 2019: A Review

Today we're going to have a look at Knit Simple's Spring & Summer 2019 issue.

Pattern #1, Lace Cardigan. Not a bad basic design. I'd raise the dropped shoulders.

Pattern #2, One-Button Cardigan. This one has nice texture and a decent shape and would make a useful summer top layer.

Pattern #3, Striped Cardigan. Another useful basic piece.

Pattern #4, Textured Cardigan. Decent use of texture and shape here.

Pattern #5, Oversized Cardigan. I don't think the shape of this one works all that well. Knitwear is usually too bulky to carry a kimono shape.

Pattern #6, Short-Sleeve V-Neck Cardigan. This is very plain, but the shaping is good and it sits well, and one can always go with an interesting yarn and/or buttons to spice up a piece if it's too utilitarian.

Pattern #7, Malibu Ripple Shawl. Normally I'd say something like this is too "granny's afghan", but the blue and white ripples are so evocative of waves on the shore that the feel is summery and beachy rather than "this belongs on a couch". The shape is also good.

Pattern #8, Lace-Edge Cowl. This one is very fetching and interesting.

Pattern #9, Shell Cowl. This one looks a little messy and unfinished for my liking.

Pattern #10, Lacy Cowl. Love the offbeat colour combination, and the stitchwork is good.

Pattern #11, Ripple Scarf. A nice gradient effect, and the lace pattern is attractive.

Pattern #12, Lace-Fringed Scarf. Basic lace scarf.

Pattern #13, Rectangular Shawl. Attractive and wearable wrap.

Pattern #14, Diagonal Eyelet Wrap. Nice combination of gradient colour and a simple diamond pattern.

Pattern #15, Flower Motifs. This one has that "my kid made it at craft camp and now I have to at least pretend to like it and use for a month or two until I can make it discreetly disappear" look.

Pattern #16, String of Flowers Scarf. This one's a little "trying too hard" to be really wearable, and I hate to think how much it would catch on everything.

Pattern #17, Crocheted Garland. I honestly can't think of a use for this one. I suppose it could be used to decorate a yarn store.

Pattern #18, Butterfly Pin. The model's moue of distaste says it all.

Pattern #19, Child's Afghan. A simple yet graphically striking design. This one would look good done full-size too.

Pattern #20, Pillow Set. The pillows aren't bad, but tacking cheesy knitted poppies onto them do them no favours.

Pattern #21, Romper. Very cute, but I can't help but feel that I'd just have to take this design a few steps farther by putting the bunny's backside on the back of the romper, and come up with a frontal bunny design for the right side of the romper.

Pattern #22, Bunny Blanket. Very cute!

Pattern #23, Bunny Cable Blanket. Quite like this design's elegantly simple rendering of a bunny figure in cables.

Pattern #24, Bunny Cable Pullover. A worthy companion to the blanket above.

Pattern #25, Carrot-Car Pullover. This design's a little crude, and I'm left with the unfortunate impression that the carrot has almost entirely eaten the bunny and is making a quick getaway with the grisly trophy of its head.

Pattern #26, Watermelon Hat, and Pattern #27, Watermelon Pullover. Cute set. Watermelons do seem to lend themselves to particularly sweet designs for kids.

Pattern #28, Watermelon Hat with Bobbles. I like the one above better than this one. It's more polished and instantly recognizable as a watermelon.

Pattern #29, Knit/Tulle Dress. Nice little wrap bodice, though the tulle skirt doesn't quite seem to belong to it. I'd be inclined to either coordinate the colour of the tulle with the bodice, or just make bodice as a sweater that can be worn on its own.

Pattern #30, Striped Socks. I like both the pattern and the yarn used.

Pattern #31, Watermelon Blanket. Adorable!