Debbie Bliss Knitting Magazine Spring 2014: A Review

Debbie Bliss Knitting Magazine has released its Spring 2014 issue. Let's have a look at it, shall we?

Argyle Cardigan. This isn't a bad design, but I don't suppose too many young boys will be willing to wear this colourway. That's easily remedied, of course.

Ballet Wrapover. Ten years ago I made one of my nieces a pink surplice sweater similar to this that she was able to wear as her warm-up sweater for ballet class (as well as other places). The other little girls in her class asked her where did she get it and what did it cost, and when they found out it wasn't going to be possible for them to buy one like it, they were distinctly not happy. I like this design even better than the one I made for my niece — the lines are better — so if you make this cute sweater for the little ballet student in your life, be warned that it may not go over well with her classmates. Teeth may be bared and ballet slippers may be stolen.

Boxy Jacket. Oh dear, this is not good. The yarn is unattractive and the fringing makes the sweater look like it's ravelling. The shaping isn't so bad at least — it's not as boxy as one would expect from the title of the design.

Cable and Lace Cardigan. Nice little classic design.

The Cable Pullover is another nice classic piece.

The Cable Vest is another standard piece.

Love the subtle elegance of the Chair Throw. I'd want to make it into a full-sized afghan.

The Chevron Lace Skirt is pretty but the way the model is standing makes me suspect that it doesn't hang that well when it isn't forced taut. It's also see-through.

The Chevron Lace Top is also pretty but on the shapeless size. I'd neaten up the fit by making the sleeves shorter and narrower and adding waist shaping.

College Cardigan. Don't care much for this one. It's just too bulky, shapeless, and crude looking.

Cowboy Shirt. Don't like this one much either, which like the design above is also a crude imitation of a classic style. I don't even know what those devices on the yoke are supposed to resemble.

Eagle Cardigan. This one's a bit better in terms of evoking the charm of the original design it's imitating. I don't care for the colourway, but of course it's possible to make it in any colours one wants.

Hooded Zipped Jacket. Nice basic piece. It's so basic I would want to make it in a more interesting yarn — something with some texture or slubs of a another colour.

Intarsia Jacket. Not crazy about this one, which is more than a little loud. I'd at least go with a colourway that works together a little better, i.e., different shades of one colour with maybe one accent colour.

Laundry Bag. This item is very Martha Stewart-esque in effect, but a knitted laundry bag doesn't sound like the most practical of ideas. Laundry can get heavy and a knitted bag will stretch out. Also, won't it absorb odours?

Lavender Pockets. I think I prefer the usual sachets for holding scent, and I prefer my lavender in cookies. Specifically these ones, which rock.

Mexican Sweater. I rather like this one. The symbols on it would appeal to a small child.

Moss & Garter-Stitch Cushion. Quite like this one, with its quietly elegant texture.

Moss-Stitch Blazer. This one is so poor an imitation of a suit jacket that it's just sad. It sits so badly (check out the way that front centre pulls up in the front), and the pocket handkerchief is cheesy. I can't imagine any little boy of my acquaintance wearing this at all willingly.

Moss-Stitch Tunic. This one isn't bad, though I would neaten up the fit a little.

Poodle Motif Cardigan. This is kind of cute, but I would make it to fit a little better. Children's clothes should be loose-fitting to allow for growth and comfort (and to be age appropriate, as fitted clothes are such an adult look), but "loose fitting" is not a simile for "huge" or "sloppy".

Red & White Striped Top. This one's cute. I like the collar, which evokes the middy style.

Shawl-Collared Jacket. I like this one in general, but again it's too big.

Sherrif's Waistcoat. This one's cute, and look, it fits!

Sleeveless Top with Fringe Detail. Not good. The yarn is just so unattractive, the fringe detail has that nibbled-by-the-gerbil look, and the lines are awkward and unflattering. This top is actually bulging out in front.

Sleeveless Top With Peter Pan Collar. This isn't bad, though again I might neaten up the fit.

Star Kerchief. This could be a cute costume detail for your little western movie aficionado.

Striped Cushion. Simple (and an easy knit) yet effective.

Striped Sweater. Wearable and basic.

Striped Throw. This simple design is eye-catching and attractive.

Trench Coat. There are a number of knitter versions of classic fabric garment designs in this issue, and I think this one might be the most effective. It looks quite smart, and it's wearable.

V-Neck Sweater. And we end well with this design. I love the very clever sailboat and life preserver details on this tennis and yachting club style sweater, which makes for a perfect child's version of an adult's classic. Very cute!

Interweave Knits Spring 2014: A Review

The Interweave Knits Spring 2014 issue is out. Let's have a look at it, shall we?

This is the Bailiwick Pullover. This is a very traditional gansey pattern with a little updating in its use of a ballet neckline and three quarter sleeve length.

The Meltwater Pullover is another very traditional sweater. The colours used here really make the design pop.

The Alderney Socks. These have the traditional gansey pattern worked into them, but I must admit I've never seen it used in socks before, and that it's a very pleasing effect.

The O'Kelly's Chapel Shawl. Another very traditional piece. And this does have a lovely lace pattern, though I always have found that blunt rectangular shawl shape to be rather awkward.

The Lovebird Sweater. Really like this pretty and carefully finished piece.

The Dhania Shawl is a lovely piece.

The Monsoon Shawl. Another pretty shawl.

The Serendipity Tee is a pretty and wearable little top.

The Brick Lane Pullover is another attractive and wearable design. I don't happen to care for that three quarter sleeve length, which isn't always flattering on a woman, but of course you can make the sleeves any length you choose.

The Plumage Wrap. Love this little capelet, with its very clever Celtic knot tulip device. The buttons are a good thought. A woman doesn't always have the free hand or the patience for keeping a shawl clutched around her.





I'm not sold on the Sunshine Canyon Tee. The shaping isn't flattering, and the whole design comes across as a 80s-era throwback.

The Star House Cowl. This is one of those cowls that are long enough that they can be worn single or doubled, but I'd wear this one doubled. It looks nice doubled, but when worn single it has that limp spare tire look that cowls sometimes have.





The Caretaker Pullover. I don't much like this one, but I think that's largely because the colour choices here are unfortunate and it makes that shoulder patch look way too random. When I imagine this being done in a variegated colour and a second colour that picks up one of the colours from the variegated colour, I can see it working.





The Gyre Cardigan is something different. It's basically a shawl with sleeves, combining the lacy draped quality of a shawl with the functionality of a sweater. And it totally works. Very attractive and unique piece.

The Abiquiu Tunic. While the previous piece was a happy marriage of a shawl and a sweater, this one is a mésalliance of a sweater and an afghan, or what might be called a slanket. This just looks stiff and awkward.

The Aurora Jacket. I don't care for this one. I'd admire the rich texture of this if it were in an afghan, but it's too heavy for a cardigan, and the shaping is awkward and unflattering.

The Zephirine Cardigan. This is a very pretty piece. That yoke is delicately lovely.

The Millay Jacket is a piece with the kind of asymmetrical modern style I wouldn't normally like, but I think it works here. The lines have a certain grace.

The Jacaranda Tunic. Yikes. I'm trying to figure out where to start here. I mean, the colours are bad, the shaping is bad, the proportions are bad, the twee embroidery at the yoke is bad, the mud flaps at the sides are really bad. I say we all just go do some knitting and try to forget this design ever happened.

Yankel's Gift

Here's a hand knitted and hand sewn stop animation video called Yankel's Gift, which is about a little boy and his books. This video was made and edited by Emily Peterson Dunne, written by Molly Auerbach, and voiced by Molly Auerbach and Grace Pak, with music by Elliott Smith. The production was filmed at Sarah Lawrence College in 2009.

Knit Under Your Plaidie

Robbie Burns Day just passed us two days ago, so what do you say to a post of selected knitted plaid patterns? Ah, something about the "best plaid plans of mice and men" in a stage Scottish burr? Fantastic. But let's get on with the patterns. Bear with me while I make bad Scottish jokes. My surname may be Scottish (the real one, not Swan), but I'm actually only 1/32 Scottish.

Lead on with the Macduff tartan bag, by Judy Furlong. This pattern is available for $3.00(USD).

Love this simple yet distinctive Plaid Baby Blanket, by Yana Ivey. It's a free pattern.

These are the Plaid Play socks, by Camille Chang. This pattern is available for $1.99(USD).

If you'd like to sport just a touch of plaid, the Mad About Plaid Socks by fkd designs might be a good fit. This pattern is available as a free Ravelry download.

Another pair of plaid socks. Love the offbeat colourway. Mad For Plaid socks, by Kate Atherley. This is a Knitty pattern and therefore available for free.

Here's one for the boys. The Plaid Pullover, by Bruce Weinstein. This pattern was published in Boyfriend Sweaters: 19 Designs for Him That You'll Want to Wear. Don't know why the authors of the book had to title it as though only women would be knitting these men's sweaters.

These are the perfect thing to wear when you're eating a wee bit of bannock bread by the fire. The Plaid Loafers, by Katie Startzman. This pattern was published in The Knitted Slipper Book: Slippers and House Shoes for the Entire Family.

A rather fetching Plaid Tam, by Theresa Schabes. This pattern was published in Vogue® Knitting: The Ultimate Hat Book: History * Technique * Design.

I had to include this one, even though the pattern will be at best a challenge to find. This is Plaid Coat #6077, by Spinnerin, which was originally published in Spinnerin 150, Bulky Classics, in 1961. This is knitted in mohair, and in a sharp colourway it will be quite the statement piece.

Cute little Girl's Plaid Dress, by Melissa Leapman. This pattern is available for free.

Here's a smart hat and mitten set. The Chillaxin' Plaid Hat and Mitten, by Lorilee Beltman. This pattern is available for $7.00(USD).

Love this little number. Laura’s Cardigan, by Annie Modesitt. This pattern is available for $5.50(USD).

The colours of this piece are gorgeous. The Tartan Jacket, by Teva Durham. This pattern is available for $5.50(USD).

Where the Nodding Violets Grow

A stop animation video about the process of getting wool from sheep to sweater. As you will see, the process depicted here isn't exactly accurate, but it's kind of fun to see wool production and knitting acted out by Lego people anyway.