Knitting Traditions 2018: A Review

Today we're going to have a look at the Knitting Traditions 2018 issue.

Ann Veronica Cardigan. I like the lace, but the front edges of this design don't sit all that well.

Ballet Russes Wrap. Lovely!

Bias Lines Top. This top has a handkerchief hem, which is a vintage design feature that is apparently enjoying a resurgence at the moment. I'm all for the reinterpretation of charming design styles of the past, but I do note that handkerchief hems haven't typically sat at the hips. This isn't going to be the most figure-flattering design on most women, but I must admit it's an interesting piece that drapes well because of its bias construction.

Coco's Wrap. Classic little lace shawl.

Collecting Bag. This cute and quite modern bag is a nod to the Girl Guides and their history of collecting natural specimens.

Directoire Top. An attractive and very wearable pullover.

Journey's End Plaid. This simple plaid scarf design, which is another piece inspired by the Girl Guides, is rather smart, and is knitted from real Girl Guides. (No, not really, but I couldn't resist a Wednesday Addams shout-out.)

Mackintosh Leaves Jewelry Set. I've never been able to get on board with jewelry knitted from yarn, because no matter how good the design of it is, it never looks like jewelry. Knit this set with wire and beads and you'll have something that doesn't look like something your child brought home from arts and crafts camp.

Queen's Cross Church Capelet. With its wrought-iron like cabling and meticulous detailing, this is one fab piece.

Schiaparelli's Shawl. This one's fun and sporty.

Sheep Station Cardigan. Good shaping and I like the combination of texture and lace.

Sporty Sailor Top. I love the sailor top style, and I like this piece on the whole, but I'm finding myself looking at that lacing and thinking how rough and ready it looks. I'd be inclined to make a proper placket and buttons instead, or nix it entirely and simply affix a bow where the two sides of the collar meet.

Suffragette's Coat. This one has some very attractive detailing, but I'm not thrilled with how the front edges sit.

Traveler's Sweater. Nice, but I think I'd want to walk around in this one backwards so that everyone could see the more attractive back. Also, I lust after that pleated tartan skirt.

Tree Line Henley. Oooh, pretty! And it's kind of neat that this one almost tricks the eye into thinking these are two layered pieces.

Twists and Turns Wrap. The zig zag lace is nice, but I can't say I care for the edging. It has such a crude look to it.

Wings & Keys Cowl. Very attractive design. The keys, bees, and butterflies motifs are a reference to science beginning to unlock nature's secrets. My first thought was that the keys were actually sperm and that the sperm, butterflies, and bees referenced the facts of life.

Knitting Traditions Fall 2017: A Review

Knitting Traditions has released their Fall 2017 issue. Let's have a look at it, shall we?

Aviatrix Pullover. Not a bad piece. The grommets and leather laces give it a bit of edge. I'd be inclined to fix the dropped shoulders, and possibly to try the effect of replacing the leather cord with ribbon.

Camera Bag. This one is fun. Those vintage camera bags often do make smart and useful tote bags, so why not a hipsterish knitted version?

Crystal Palace Shawl. This lovely shawl was inspired by the famous entry hall of Victorian England's Great Exhibition's Crystal Palace. I don't suppose that Prince Albert ever expected that his grand project would still be inspiring creative artists over a century and a half later.

Cuirassier's Cardigan. This one sits rather poorly and is bulgy in the front.

Flying Car Bolero. Cute piece. I'm liking the steampunk vibe.

Graven Wrap. A beautiful wrap with some architectural cables.

Haubergeon Sweater. A classic, wearable piece with some nice detailing on the sleeves.

Incognito Spats. These have the look of toilet paper cosies for the feet.

Jacquard Boot Toppers. These also remind me of toilet paper cosies, though in this case I do love the contrast slip stitch effect used here and would very interested to see the effect employed in another design.

Kashmiri Shawl. What a gorgeous piece of work.

Manchester Pullover. Nice piece. I'd be inclined to do this one in a soft wool yarn rather than a cotton yarn (which tends to have a crisper look) for a more romantic effect.

Morris Flower & Vine Mitts. These are a pretty bit of needlework -- I love the beautiful motifs on the back and the lace is lovely -- though I am at somewhat of a loss as to what one would wear with them. I suppose they'd look fine on someone with a romantic bohemian dress sense.

Nottingham Socks. Oooh, love these plaid socks, with their fun, sporty feel.

Samurai Cowl. Another beautiful lacy piece, and it's quite versatile as it can be worn as a cowl, a poncho, or a hood.

Scarab Cowl. Fun, attractive, and eye-catching.

Shebeke Tam. An attractive stained glass-inspired tam that looks good from all angles. I'm not so crazy about the colourway, but that's easily remedied.

Steampunk Pullover. Love this one. The shaping is excellent and the gears motif is well-designed and smart.

Thousand Miles Purse. This is quite pretty, and will prove equally useful to those who are into Victorian costuming, steam punk enthusiasts, and those who just want an attractive evening bag.

Knitting Traditions Spring 2016: A Review

It turns out that I managed to miss Knitting Traditions' Spring 2016 issue when it came out (because Knitting Daily doesn't have it listed with its other magazines on their site menu, sigh), but let's have a look at it now.

Bluestocking Stole. A really lovely piece of work that could be styled in a lot of ways.

Christ Church Tam. The designer of this item says on its Ravelry page that she intended to "meld the beauty and light of stained glass with the warmth and texture of yarn" in this project, and I definitely think she succeeded. The design is pleasing and the brightness and high contrast of the yarn choices come as close as yarn can come to looking sunlit.

Daisy Crescent Shawl. A simple, easy, pretty knit.

Elegant Arm Warmers. I have to agree that these mitts do live up to their name.

Fancywork Market Bag. I'd be inclined to make this bag wider and shorter, to line it for strength, and to go with another colourway, as this one makes my eyes ache a bit.

Fireworks Socks. This pair of socks might make me feel as though my feet had been attacked by crayon-wielding toddlers.





Head in the Clouds Scarf. The lacework in this one is simply exquisite.

Lilacs & Rain Shawl. A very handsome and timeless wrap.

Little Birds Chullo. This kind of design wouldn't ordinarily be my sort of thing as it is very busy, but this take on a traditional Peruvian cap is so cute and fun I can't help liking it. The gingham band and the use of variegated yarn are nice non-traditonal touches.

Modern Chimesette. This antique style updated for today makes for a pretty, feminine take on the cowl.

Paper Silk Purse. The Ravelry page description of this piece suggests making it in a colour to match the intended owner's favourite cocktail dress. I wouldn't pair this purse with a cocktail dress, even though it's knitted in silk ribbon, as it's a little too slouchy and casual looking for evening use. Evening bags don't usually have long thick straps. It's a nice little bag for day though.

Penelope's Cardigan. An attractive traditional-style child's cardigan. I like the effect of the bright contrast yarn and buttons, and the stitchwork is good.

Pocket Muff. This muff has a pocket on the inside, as its name suggests. The Ravelry page for this one describes is as being "like a purse that warms your hands". It isn't unattractive, but I can't imagine wanting to be bothered to carry a muff, and it does look a little as though the model has her arm stuck in a spare sleeve.

Primavera Handkerchief. This is pretty, but I don't think I'd want to use -- or more to the point, wash -- a knitted handkerchief. I'd use this to line a bread basket.

Primavera Socks. For those occasions when you want a matching sock and hanky combination. All jesting aside, I do really like these socks. I'm not crazy socks person, and my favourite kind of sock is something basic with a bit of attractive detail, just like this one.

Regency Chemisette. This chemisette is, as its name suggests, the more historically accurate version of the chemisette, while the modern version we saw earlier in this post can be worn cowl-style. I prefer the modern version as it's more wearable by today's standards (after all, most of us aren't knitting costumes for a period drama) but as you can see this one is also usable because it can be worn under a low-cut sweater.

Regency House Slippers. I love these. So many knitted slipper patterns are so lacking in any sort of grace and style, but these, which are based on Regency-style dance slippers, have grace and style to burn.

Roman Holiday Purse. Now this purse is one that a woman could confidently carry as an evening bag.

Spring in Bloom Reticule. This one is too kitschy for my tastes. It could be made less so by going with a more subtle colour scheme.

Strip of Paisley Wrap. Another lovely lace stole.

Strolling Dolls. For the Edgar Allan Poe Junior Fan Club member in your life.

Strolling Round the Square Beaded Shawlette. This is a lovely piece, and it also appears to hang beautifully.

Turkish Purse. This would have gone with the Guatemalan jacket I had when I was 20. It's a charmingly bohemian piece.