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.

Knit.Wear Fall/Winter 2016: A Review

Knit.Wear has published its Fall/Winter 2016 issue. Let's have a look at it, shall we?

Mason Street Scarf. This is... okay. I rather like it conceptually, but the execution is a little choppy-looking.

Walnut Street Coat. I want to like this one, because the open grid effect on the collar is so smart, but this jacket doesn't sit well unless the model is clutching it shut.

Firehouse Alley Cowl. This has some very attractive stitchwork.

Mountain Avenue Shawl. This is a beautiful piece that looks good both in this wrapped style and worn long and loose.





Remington Street Tunic. This one looks like the knitted version of a political sandwich board. A woman who wears this item can use her front view to express her political beliefs and her backside to moon all those who disagree.

Linden Street Pullover. This isn't a bad little pullover, but I'm not liking the dust ruffle effect.

Pine Street Pullover. There is some interesting detail on this item. I like the stitchwork at the hips, the notched hemline, and the cuffs, but I would neaten up the fit a little and shorten the sleeves to wrist length.

Jefferson Street Hat. This is very simple, but the lush possum/merino yarn and the simple ribbing give this hat all the interest it really needs.

Matthews Street Vest. A very wearable and useful little topper.

Doresu Cardigan. This piece is good except for its shape. Long loose oblong jackets like this tend to be unflattering on most women.

Origami Vest. I can definitely see this vest working on a woman with a very contemporary dress sense.

Mofu Poncho. I've been looking at this one for a few minutes because of the sleeve construction, but I think I'm going to come down on the side of liking it. The detailing is good, the hem is beautiful, and I can imagine this piece, like the one above, working on a woman who has modern taste in clothes.





Ichiba Hoodie. The stitchwork used in the body of this hoodie is beautiful, but I'm not liking the boxy shape or the awkward-looking sleeves.

Kakasu Shawl. This piece has excellent texture, and sits so very well.

Puro Cardigan. This isn't bad. I do like the contrast front edging and buttoned cuffs. I do have reservations about how this item sits.

Guriddo Stole. Gorgeous stitchwork in this stole, though I would be more inclined to put this piece on a couch rather than on myself. But then I'm not one of those women who has the panache to carry off a dramatic wrap.

Kohno Kimono. While exaggerated poses may work from a fashion editorial perspective, they don't tend to serve the knitter who is trying to decide how well this coat looks on a woman who is not standing in front of a wind machine. I checked out the designer's page on Ravelry, which features a picture of the coat on a non-professional model, and I'd say it hangs well. I like this beautifully stitched piece, which is both contemporary while evoking the most elegant aspects of 1950s style.





Nejire Jacket. A lovely, polished piece.

Nami Cardigan. Nice piece on the whole, and it looks good buttoned up, but it isn't going to sit well when worn open.

Yuki Jacket. This cardigan is really lovely, though it is distractingly small on the model.

Sangaku Shawl. Love the eye-catching graphic appeal of this shawl.

Aita Shawl. I'm not too taken with this one -- it's a bit crude and unfinished-looking for my liking.

Love of Knitting Winter 2016: A Review

Love of Knitting has released their Winter 2016 issue. Let's have a look at it.

Winter Wonderland Aran Sweater. Classic Aran sweater.

Vertical Stripes Pullover. This is one of those well-shaped, minimally detailed pieces that are perfect for showcasing a beautiful yarn in your favourite colour.

Vertical Stripes Cardigan. This isn't bad on the whole, but those front edges don't sit well.

Lytle Cowl and Hat. The stitchwork in these pieces is very good, but I can't say I care for the limp way in which that cowl sits.

Barcelona Pullover. The designer of this item has managed to give a classic cable and rib sweater a fresh look by making sparing use of asymmetry and a touch of stitchwork in the waistband. Nice piece.

Nordic Winter Hat & Cowl Set. This is a nice little set. It's been styled well too, as this is just the right hat and cowl to add a bit of colour and interest to a plain gray coat.

Window Cat Child's Cardigan. This is cute in a whimsical way, but I think I'd fiddle with the design a little more by adding a little more detail to the cats and by doing something different with the yoke. I'd replace the garter stitch with some other kind of stitchwork.

Circus Train Caboose. The caboose in this train set is the last in a series of patterns. The caboose is probably my favourite of the four train car patterns, as it's the best shaped and detailed.

Lodge Pullover. I don't think the idea of an inset lace cowl neckline works in a bulky knit. I'd do this sweater in a fingering weight and use a more interesting lace pattern for the cowl.

Feather Throw. A perfect and elegant afghan that would fit into nearly any decor.

Diamonds Swatch Cloth. A not uninteresting stitch.

Northern Lights Poncho. I quite like this one, with its attractively blended colours and nicely detailed neckband and bottom hem.

Chain Links Set. Can't say I care for this look. The holes in the "chain" look merely crude rather than interesting.

Daddy & Me Hat. Classic cabled hats. The stocking cap shape and pom pom is a nice touch on the child's hat.

Mommy & Me Hoods. The hooded scarf is style that can look a little odd and quaint, but I think it's a look that does need bringing back because it's so incredibly practical. A hood is warmer than a hat any day, and it would be impossible for one to lose the scarf. These adult and child versions are handsome examples of the style.

Supernova Cowl. Can't say I care for this one, which makes this woman look like she tacked a random swatch of knitting around her neck to hide a hickey.

Color Boxes Cardigan. This one needed some polishing up. I'd have replaced those rolled edges with something more polished, and gone with a more interesting colourway.

Complete with a Bow Wrap. This is so "granny in a rocking chair" that even this young model and her contemporary chair can't pull it off.

Anticipation Pullover. The pattern description calls this a special occasion sweater, and I agree that it is. The elongated length, fitted shape, boatneck and three-quarter sleeves give the design impact, and the touch of lace and the addition of a satin ribbon tie makes it dressy. I'd be inclined to pair this sweater with a pair of velvet trousers.

Starry Night Tunic. This is supposed to be another evening sweater, but the schlumpy shape and unfinished edges makes it look more like a "relaxing on the couch in yoga pants" kind of sweater.

Shades of White Shawl. This is a lusciously beautiful piece of work, but it does look more like an afghan than a shawl.