Noro Magazine Issue 13: A Review

Noro Magazine has released their thirteenth, or Fall 2018, issue. Let's have a look at it. Please note that for some reason this issue lists 11 pattern pages on Ravelry, and even of those 11, five don't have pictures on their pattern pages, and one (#03, Textured Rib Raglan) has two pattern pages, so I will only be able to provide Ravelry links to ten of the 36 patterns in this review.

#01, Leaf Afghan. This is an interesting and unusual concept.

#02, Mosaic Poncho. Lovely and eye-catching.

#03, Textured Rib Raglan. This is attractive and wearable enough.

#04, Ribbed Batwing Pullover. This one has interesting lines. I'd like to see it from some other angles before I really sign off on it, but it looks like it might just prove a unique and attractive piece.

#05, Rhombus Panel Vest. This is very seventies, but it's wearable.

#06, Striped Cardigan. Very pretty.

#07, Diamond Rib Hat. A classic striped and cabled cap.

#08, Fingerless Mitts. A decent pair of mitts. I find the soft, grayish shades of this yarn appealing.

#09, Cowl. Love the yarn used on this one.

#10, Pillows. The play of colour in these two pillows makes them, because technically speaking they couldn't be more basic.

#11, Eyelet Triangle Shawl. Pretty!

#12, Shawl. Lovely.

#13, Steeked Poncho. Not bad as to design, but I think I'd use some other colour than brown for this project, as the brown yarn gives this poncho an unfortunate resemblance to the poo emoji.

#14, Plaid Ruana. Gorgeous stitchwork in this one, though it does look rather heavy for a wrap. I'd be inclined to leave this one on the couch.

#15, Fringed Poncho. This is not bad for a poncho, and the stitchwork is excellent.

#16, Chevron Wrap. Rather pretty.

#17, Big Granny Afghan. The colours on this one make it attractive.

#18, Granny Quilt Afghan. I quite like this triangle block concept for an afghan. It's a refreshing change from the usual squares, and the resulting scalloped border is kind of cool.

#19, Buttonhole Scarf. Passable. I'd fringe this one.

#20, Circle Scarf. I'd fringe this one too. Scarves need to look like scarves, not like swatches randomly wrapped around their wearer's neck.

#21, Chrysanthemum Shawl. This looks more like an afghan than a shawl, though it would make a nice afghan.

#22, Flower Blossom Purse. This one's way too kitschy for my taste.

#23, Block Texture Pullover. Not bad. It could do with some waist-shaping and a finished hemline.

#24, Cable Yoked Pullover. Pretty.

#25, Textured Pullover. Fix those dropped shoulders and neaten up the shape and this would be a decent pullover.

#26, Short Row Sweater. I really love the directional panels in the front, which is an interesting concept that works especially beautifully with this yarn. I would fix the dropped shoulders.

#27, Oversized Textured Pullover. There's oversized and there's sloppy. Guess which one this is. And the shoulder seam is halfway down the sleeve, sigh. Tidy this one up and it would be a perfectly attractive turtleneck.

#28, Oversized Cable Top. Again, too big and too dropped as to the shoulder, but otherwise fine.

#29, Beach Tote. Rather a nice little Boho-type bag.

#30, Granny Squares Purse. I don't think there's anything that be done with the granny square that can make it not dated and cheesy when used in clothing and accessories.

#31, Tunic. Basic empire-waisted cardi that would look better in another yarn.

#32, Sweater. This must be the yarn I loved so much in #09, Cowl, and I still love it, but I would definitely neaten up the fit of this one.

#33, Collared Cardigan. Not a bad-looking casual-type jacket.

#34, Waistcoat. Dumpy and frumpy.

#35, Long Sweater and Cowl. I wouldn't call this a "long sweater and cowl". I'd call it a caftan and then I'd ravel it out.

#36, Jacket. I'm not a fan of these unstructured, drape-front style cardigans, but this one isn't a bad piece of its kind.

Noro Magazine Issue 12: A Review

Noro Magazine has released their twelfth issue. Let's have a look at it, shall we?

No. 1, Entrelac Blanket. I definitely feel like we've seen this afghan, and the next afghan, before, but then an afghan is the perfect showcase for Noro yarn, and one does want to play up the contrasts.

No. 2, Square-in-a-Square Blanket. An attractive afghan with only a slight "please do not adjust your TV set" feel to it.

No. 3, Eyelet Chevron Shawl. This is one of those pieces that were designed to be worn but that would look best on a couch.

No. 4, Eyelet Shawl. Very pretty. Love the combination of the eyelets and the lace border.

No. 5, Triangle Shawl. This one has an offbeat, contemporary vibe to it, but it works. The more subtle colourway was a good choice here, given that there are stripes and blocks involved.

No. 6, Openwork Shawl. A very traditional-style, simple shawl.

No. 7, Eyelet Scarf. A simple design. I'm not crazy about the tutti-frutti colour palette, but that's just personal preference.

No. 8, Semicircle Shawl. Classic lace shawl with some decent shaping.

No. 9, Chevron Top. I LOVE the yarn used here, but the shape and the dropped shoulders need some serious tidying up. The model is simply swamped by this piece.

No. 10, Sideways Knit Top. I like the sideways stripes and the colour palette, but that is one awkward, boxy shape.

No. 11, Garter Gusset Tee. Oooh, such pretty stripes. I'd neaten up the fit.

No. 12, Crossback Tank. Very pretty and wearable top. Love the lace work at the bottom, and the shape and fit are good.

No. 13, Scallop Stripe Tank. This one's nice too. The overall shape is good, and that broad band neckline is flattering and even a little dramatic.

No. 14, Two-Tone Tank Top. A very decent piece. It would be fun to play with the colour contrast on the neckline/body for this one.

No. 15, Two-Colour Tunic. Not bad. I like the play of texture through the body and the bottom panel, and the finishing details. This is one of those pieces that's interesting and stylish enough in itself that one can pair it with a simple skirt or pair of trousers.

No. 16, Directional Striped Top. I like this piece from the waist up, but I don't like the way the top panel lies across the lower half. It has that "these pieces stuck together in the dryer" look.

No. 17, Man's Raglan Pullover. I like this one so much I wish I had a boyfriend to make it for. (Gentlemen of the internet, I am now accepting applications.)

No. 18, Man's Henley Pullover. Not such a fan of this one. It's fine through the body, but I don't like the way that collar sits. It has an awkward thickness to it.

No. 19, Short-Sleeve Pullover. I rather like this one. Its minimalist style works well with the yarn choice -- this is a pattern that calls for a striking yarn -- and the lines are good.

No. 20, Tunic Tank Top. This one's a bit too loose around the hips. It would be fine if it fit better.

No. 21, Lace Top. Pretty! This one would be a fun, casual top to wear with jeans.

No. 22, Panel Top. This has a certain charm, but it would be a hard shape to carry off. It's good at the neckline but gets so bulky below that.

No. 23, Diagonal Rib Cardi. This one looks as though it began well and then had to be finished in a frantic, tearing hurry. It needs more finishing at the front edges and a different kind of closure.

No. 24, V-Neck Tank. This is a nice-looking piece, but that bustline level seam will be an unflattering look on women who aren't small-breasted.

No. 25, Swing Front Cardigan. This cardigan doesn't so much swing as sag. Such an awkward, frumpy number.

No. 26, Crew Neck Sweater. This one has port holes to go with its crew neck.

No. 27, Lace Waistcoat. This is rather cute, even chic. I like the three lines of buttons.

No. 28, Lace Scarf. Wish I could see this piece better, but it looks presentable enough.