Vogue Knitting Early Spring 2016: A Review

Vogue Knitting has released its Early Spring 2016 issue. Let's have a look at it.

Pattern #1, Crew Neck Pullover. I rather like this slight twist on the classic Breton stripe sweater.

Pattern #2, Striped Shell. Nice piece. The colourway works well, the lines are good, and vertical stripes are definitely an underexplored theme in knitwear design.

Pattern #3, Pocketed Tunic. The stripes on this one are giving me that "do not adjust your TV set" feeling, and the dropped shoulders combined with the bracelet length sleeves make the arms look stumpy.

Pattern #4, Graphic Top. This one has the look of 1930s sportswear, and I love me some 1930s sportswear.

Pattern #5, Striped Romper. There isn't a full shot of this one, and I was trying to suss out what it was exactly when I noticed the name. This is... an adult romper... which means there is... something... lurking south of the photo frame that VK hasn't seen fit to show us. That does not bode well, especially when I consider that knitted shorts don't tend to be a good idea (i.e., bags, sags). I'm not thrilled with what I can see, as it looks a bit crudely designed and unfinished.

Pattern #6, Shades Blue Wrap. This has a rather nice contemporary feel, though I'd be more inclined to put it on a couch than to wear it.

Pattern #7, Crocheted Bag. I see this one going to bingo games and shuffleboard tournaments.

Pattern #8, Crocheted Bucket Hat. This hat will accompany the crocheted bag above to the aforementioned bingo games and shuffleboard tournaments, and possibly be further accessorized with a pair of wraparound shades.

Pattern #9, Lace Coverup. This is one of those items that can look dramatic if styled way over the right outfit, and "seventies arts and craft camp counsellor" otherwise. Also, it's going to catch on everything like crazy.

Pattern #10, Star-Motif Maxi Dress. I like the lace overlay over a fabric sheath concept, but not this particular execution of it. I think it's the fact that this crocheted overlay looks so stiff and tablecloth-y.

Pattern #11, Dropstitch Openwork Wrap. This looks so rough and charmless up close.

Pattern #12, Eyelet Lace Tunic. This coverup is making me wish I hadn't just finished sewing myself a new printed cotton beach dress. Which does not look half as fetching as this well-shaped, carefully finished piece. Sigh.

Pattern #13, Open Waves Top. Not such a fan of this one, but then I don't tend to like openwork pieces. They lead to mesh-patterned sunburns, for one thing.

Pattern #14, Net Poncho. I see the respective wearers of this net poncho and the lace coverup above getting together at a arts camp staff party to share their best string art tips. Kidding! Well, partly kidding anyway. Again, like the lace wrap, it's a piece that can look good when skilfully styled, and frumpy and kooky when not.

Pattern #15, Floppy Sun Hat. VK is definitely on a seventies kick in this issue. I'd have liked to have seen this one on the model because I have my suspicions that this hat is a little too large and too floppy for visibility -- for both wearer and observers.

Pattern #16, Cable and Lace Duster. Rather a nice cover up. Though this piece also has the stumpy arm problem.

Pattern #17, Deep V-Neck Duster. Beautiful lacework in this one.

Pattern #18, Lacy Cardi. Nice piece, but I can't fathom why all those loose threads were left hanging from the centre of the diamonds in the lacework. It doesn't look like something that could be accidental, but it's not well advised as a design decision because it makes the piece look rag tag.

Pattern #19, Deep Rib Tank. Nice little basic tank, though that empire line will not be flattering on well-endowed women.

Pattern #20, Sleeveless Shell. Not a bad basic piece. If you're making this for someone who isn't particularly tall, you might wish to shorten it somewhat.

Pattern #21, Textured Vest. I wish the designer had done something a little more interesting with the texture, but this isn't a bad little top for summer.

Pattern #22, Cable Tank. This has good lines but I do wish the designer had something to finish off the neckline and armhole edges.

Pattern #23, Striped Stitch Tank. Quite like this one. It has an interesting and effective shape, construction, and texture, though again, it has an unfinished-looking neckline and armholes.

Pattern #24, Eyelet Top. This one is very simple but so well shaped and finished that it'll be the perfect way to showcase a beautiful, good quality yarn.

Vogue Knitting Winter 2015/16: A Review

Vogue Knitting has released their Winter 2015/16 issue. Let's have a look at it.

Pattern #1, Turtleneck Pullover. A fabulous reinterpretation of Bohus Stickning design.

Pattern #2, Bohus Cardigan. Love it. The longer cuffs and the juxtaposition of the plain collar band and the detailed colour work around the neckline give a traditional style a fresh look.

Pattern #3, Fitted Hat. There's not quite enough definition in this cap's colourwork for my tastes, but it's attractive enough.

Pattern #4, Three Quarter Sleeve Pullover. I'm not liking the colour scheme here, and those gaps in the sleeves look like rips, but otherwise this is a good piece of design.

Pattern #5, Blanket Poncho. Bride of Sherpa.

Pattern #6, Chevron Pattern Cowl. Beautiful. Normally these ripple knits have a tendency to look too afghan-y, but in this case the colours are so beautifully blended and the item so carefully finished that the result is lovely.

Pattern #7, Welted Cowl. Rather a nice way to add a little faux fur to a simple coat.

Pattern #8, Pull-Through Wrap. I'd like this better if the two accent colours were more sophisticated shades. The hot pink and pea green accents on such a simple design gives the item an unfortunate juvenile look.

Pattern #9, Garter Stitch Capelet. And now we've bypassed juvenile effect and gone for full-on childish. This looks like something Knit Simple decided against publishing.

Pattern #10, Keyhole Scarf. This is about as basic it gets, but I have to admit it has a certain practical and minimalist appeal. Playing with the colour and yarn selection could really change it up too.

Pattern #11, Aran Pullover. There's some beautiful stitchwork in this and the yarn used is clearly gorgeous, but the shaping is unfortunate and the overall effect is frumpy. This looks like it could be one of the sweaters actress Alison Wright got stuck in for her role as the unfortunate Martha in the early eighties period piece The Americans.

Pattern #12, Sleeveless Top. Nice piece! It's totally wearable and has a cool, Mary Tyler Moore-ish retro vibe.

Pattern #13, Elbow Length Pullover. Love the stitch used here, but that is some seriously unflattering shaping.

Pattern #14, Houndstooth Mitts. Rather a sharp little accessory.

Pattern #15, Long Sleeve Pullover. So-so. I might like this better if it were in a more interesting colourway than charcoal and oatmeal.

Pattern #16, Fair Isle Cardi. Very cute, useful little piece.

Pattern #17, Plaid Cardigan. Not bad. I might neaten up the fit a touch.

Pattern #18, Plaid Fringed Wrap. Lovely.

Pattern #19, Shawl Collar Pullover. Classic piece. I'd shape the shawl collar a little more generously, as that collar does look a little skimpy from the back.

Pattern #20, Poncho Pullover. I'm too anti-poncho to fairly assess them, so all I will say is, this has beautiful stitchwork.

Pattern #21, Chunky Fair Isle Vest. Not bad, for a chunky knit. There are more interesting colourways for this project than the one used in the sample.

Pattern #22, Reversible Fur Vest. I'm totally on board with the idea of a reversible fur vest, but this is oh so shapeless.

Pattern #23, Mock Turtleneck Pullover. Awesome texture, but I'd neaten up the shape and fit a bit, though I'd be careful to preserve the relaxed fit of this one.

Pattern #24, Fair Isle Hat. Pretty and subtle.

Pattern #25, Textured Scarf. This looks like a simple classic scarf that mysteriously grew random strips of cat fur. It's a were-scarf caught mid-transition.

Pattern #26, Aran Coat with Fur Collar. Not bad, although I would not have gone with such a light coloured fur collar on an ivory coat. I'd go with a darker gray or taupe collar, with the goal of having a contrasting second colour rather one than looks mismatched.