Kindergarten Cheat Sheet and Other Knitting Fables

Carolyn liked her afghan bathrobe so much she saw no need to ever change out of it, not even when she was running away from home.

Debbie had never really learned to do without her kindergarten cheat sheet, but she had managed to make her dependency on it less obvious.

Ariel's fishnet and bikini installation was a big hit at the Merpeople Art Gallery. As a lot of the attendees told her, it not only made an important political statement but was also wearable and a nice change from the usual seashell cup bra.

Ursula's fishnet ballgown design was equally admired, and Ariel and Ursula began to form a grudging respect for one another.

For Gwendolyn, hand dyeing her yarn was a spiritual experience.

When Sakiko, Miyo, and Toshi decided to rebrand their knitting club as an imperial court of knitting, their first step was to knit themselves suitable ceremonial robes.

Blair and Ashley thought their "sexy medieval lady knight" costumes had turned out rather well.

During her trip to the beach, Chelsea's post modern bathing cap had proven more or less satisfactory, but her knitted life preserver had turned out to be a life hazard because it immediately become waterlogged. Worse, she hadn't even happened to pick a day when the hot lifeguard was on duty.

During her day at the beach, Adrienne was disappointed that everyone was too busy rescuing Chelsea to pay attention to the new bathing suit she'd styled out of her knitted swatches.

Brenna was delighted that she had finally found a way to put her surplus fridge magnets to good use.

Knit and Crochet Toys 2017: A Review

Love of Knitting has released a special issue entitled Knit and Crochet Toys, 2017. Let's have a look at the cuteness within its covers, shall we?

Zeppelin Mobile. This is a mobile that children can play with once they get old enough to know better than to try to eat it. It's not bad. I suppose it would be just the thing for a Hindenburg-themed nursery.

Rat-a-Cuties. These are very well made -- rather too much so for my liking, I'm afraid. I can't get past my visceral reaction to rats in order to review them fairly. Shudder.

Bear Pair. These are cute. I think I'd prefer a little more shaping and detail on the bear's dresses, but you can always add that.

Puppet Pals. These aren't too bad. I can imagine them being useful on car trips. If the children can be diverted from their electronic devices for long enough, of course.

Bunny Girl. This one is quite cute. I like the little sheep sweater. It says "I'm pro-merino as opposed to pro-angora".

Sponge Buddies Bath Toys. These sponge covers are not only cute but also quite inventive and practical.

Tedmund Troll. I quite like this teddy troll. There is something irresistibly fun and witty about a cuddly version of dark side fantasy archetypes.

Hipponormous. I think this one could have used a little more detail.

Cat's Pajamas Jammy Keeper. This one would be a good way to get children to put their pajamas somewhere other than the floor, and it is a really cute and cuddly item in itself.

Patrick the Platypus. This is another one that could have used a little more detail, such as a facial expression, and a more subtly coloured body.

Mr. Robotics. Not bad, though I would make the arms and legs a little bigger in circumference, and stuff them lightly.

Serene Sea Star. This isn't badly designed, but I can't quite see a child actually playing with this, unless it's to use it to attack a sibling's Malibu Barbie.

Giant Tiger. Cute and cuddly and nicely designed.

Lost in Space Activity Board. I can't imagine children playing with this set much because it wouldn't be that much fun to simply rearrange the plants on the solar system. I think the designer should have gone steps further and turned it into some sort of game, because as it is it looks like a doily and coasters from the break room of the Star Trek Enterprise.

Checkerboard. This one I can see children playing with and enjoying, as it gives them a chance to play a very active game of checkers. I'd go with another colourway, though.

Toy Tote. This one is quite practical: it's a backpack that holds children's toys and converts into a toy mat. This one is perfect for those visits to a childless friend's house.

Do the Twist Game. This one, obviously, is a crocheted version of a game that shall not be mentioned in the advertising copy for fear of trade infringement. I'd be afraid to let children to play with this one for fear that the crocheted circles would skid out from underneath their feet, causing injury. A Twister-inspired throw might be a better idea.

Silky, Simone & Sydney. This set is really cute. I quite like that the designer has imagined the mermaids as fun, stylish tweens with a pet seal, rather than as the voluptuous merwomen one sees in most renderings of fantasy sea people -- even in Disney.

Mrs. Chicken. This one feels a little overdone, as though it were intended for a decoration for adults rather than a child's plaything.

Silly Monster Rattles. These are ever so cute, and quite practical as they would be washable.

Jackson the Jackalope. This is very well designed and original as well. I don't suppose too many children have toy jackalopes.

Aitches. These poseable letter Hs would be perfect for the little Harry or Hannah in your life.

Noro Magazine Issue 9: A Review

Noro Magazine has released its Issue 9. Let's have a look at the Noro goodness within, shall we?

01 -- Brick Stitch Cowl. Very cute. The shape is good and I like the ribboned effect.

02 -- Patchwork Poncho. This is one of those wraps that would look better on a couch than on a person. It would be a lovely afghan, though.

03 -- Dot Stitch Scarf. What a gorgeous play of colour.

04 -- Chevron Striped Scarf. This would be a fun way to add colour to a neutral coat.

05 - Double-Knit Cowl. Another subtle show of colour.

06 - Fringed Cowl. This one verges on the afghan-y, but I think it manages to stay in the realm of the wearable. I would shorten that fringe by half, though.

07 - Directional Pillow Cover. Beautiful and artistic. Anyone who owned an oil painting that was this attractive would give it pride of place in their living room.

08 - Short Row Pillow Cover. Really lovely and eye-catching.

09 -- Fair Isle Pillow Cover. This one is a little too muddled and muddy-looking.

10 -- Mosaic Pillow Cover. Pretty.

11 -- Striped Slouch Hat & Mittens. Attractive and wearable.

12 -- Basketweave Beanie. This one needs more colour definition.

13 -- Trapper Hat. This hat looks like it belongs to Yosemite Sam's girlfriend.

14 -- Cabled Cap. A bit blah and oatmeal-y.

15 -- Fair Isle Hat. Definitely my favourite of the five hat patterns in this issue.

16 -- Striped Shawl. This is another wrap I'd be more likely to use as an afghan than as wearing apparel.

17 -- Drapey Vest. This one needed more shaping in order to give it style.

18 -- Intarsia Sweater. This one needed more shaping in order to make it look like a sweater rather than like a pup tent.

19 -- Textured Tee. I'd neaten up the fit on this one.

20 -- Colorblock Aran Pullover & Scarf. These are classic pieces, but I'm not convinced that the colour blocking on this sweater is adding anything.

21 -- Oversized Cardigan. I'd neaten up the shape of this one too -- it's rather frumpy as is.

22 -- Pocket Tunic Pullover. I rather like this tunic, although it wouldn't normally be my type of thing. It has good shaping and detailing. I'd love to see it in some other colourways, as this one is a little precious.

23 -- Infinity Scarf. This one looks a little too much like those beaded car seat covers, with a rearview mirror decoration thrown into the bargain. I suppose it could have been worse, as the decoration could have been fuzzy dice rather than a tassel.

24 -- Duster Vest. This piece has some interesting lines, but the too afghan-like colourway and stitch wasn't a good choice for it.

25 -- Poncho. Minus the neck, this would be an excellent afghan.

26 -- Mitered Square Scarf. This has a rather crude, unfinished look.

27 -- Spiral Shawl. A lovely, artistic scarf.

28 -- Trapezoidal Shawl. Another afghan-y piece. This is probably a pitfall Noro designers in particular need to watch out for.





29 -- Garter & Stockinette Stitch Blanket (top left); 30 -- Garter & Rib Blanket (top right); and 31 -- Slip Stitch Rib Blanket (bottom). Now we get to see Noro used for some actual afghans. They are less inventive than some of the garments have been, but they're attractive and well-made enough.

32 -- Thrummed Mittens. These are nice, and of course they'd be very cosy and comfortable to wear. The little heart-like stitches created by the thrumming are cute, and the colour combination is pretty.