The review I wrote of Unofficial Downton Abbey Knits in September 2013 has been in the list of my ten most-viewed posts for many months now. Interweave must have had a similar reception to its publication, because here I am reviewing the 2014 issue of Unofficial Downton Abbey Knits.
The Luxurious Lacy Overblouse. This... isn't bad. I like the neckline and the lace stitch, but the lines of it could be more flattering. I'd shorten the sleeves to short or cap length and add waist shaping (unless there already is waist shaping — it's hard to tell from this photo).
The Night-on-the-Town Herringbone Scarf. Very handsome, classic scarf.
The Hidden Delight Lacy Camisole. This would make a very pretty summer top for we brazen hussies of 2014 who can wear what used to be considered underwear as outerwear.
The Modular Lace Blouse. This one is very pretty too, and it also is more evocative of twenties style than any other piece so far, with its elongated length and the lace stitchwork, which is similar to the kind of lacework used to decorate sewn clothing in the 1920s.
The Lotus Blossom Scarf. Lovely lacy scarf.
The Lacy Tapered Jacket. Not very enthusiastic about this one. The lace panels are lovely, but the shaping isn't great. It appears as though this is a sweater that buttons only at the waist, and that style is a hard one for many women to carry off, especially in the longer length, because off all the visual lines it creates. I'd fix the dropped sleeves, make the jacket shorter, and consider changing the shaping of the front pieces.
The Floral Finery Pullover. I love the style of this one. The body of the sweater is very well shaped and the collar and cuffs provide polish and pops of visual interest. The semi-abstract colourwork on the collar and cuffs is not doing much for me and I'd replace it with something more traditional, but that's just personal preference, because it is good design objectively. And it's a nod to the art of the early twentieth century.
The Fair Isle Wristlets. These aren't bad. The fair isle pattern is attractive. I think I'd want to fit them more closely to the wrist, though. It'll look better and there's no point in inviting the cold air into one's gloves.
The Cozy Cardigan. Not a particular fan of this one. It's lumpy looking and the collar and cuffs don't sit well.
The Cabled Aran for a Day Out. Beautiful classic man's cabled pullover. There's a reason men have been wearing sweaters very much like this one for over a century.
The Let's Ride to Ripon Hat. Before I rode to Ripon in this hat, I would want to inquire just how far it is from here, and how many people are likely to see me in it, and then, on second thought, if I could possibly take the time to nip into the house and exchange it for another hat before our departure. This cap looks like it's wearing a headband from a 1980s Jane Fonda exercise video. There's a reason why Interweave hasn't released the Unofficial Jane Fonda Workout Knits.
The Tour-the-Estate Paisley Slipover. I love this one with its beautiful detailing at hem and cuffs, but I would definitely refashion that tie. I know it's probably true to period detail, but it looks too random and tacked on as is. I think I'd edge the front part of the neckline and the slit with the contrast trim, and attach ties to the top edges.
The Classic Autumn Cardigan. This one isn't doing it for me. It has a muddled feel to it, as though the designer tried to incorporate too many elements (lace, stripes, and tartan) and chose a colourway that didn't help at all. I'd simplify this design a little by removing one of the three design elements, and go with a more monochromatic colourway.
Driving Gloves for the Lady of the Manor. Love these, which are elegantly simple and totally wearable for either the lady or the maid of the house (and aren't we women usually both, these days).
The Cosmopolitan Peasant Blouse. I very much like this one, which has the smart, Art Deco-like look of sportswear in twenties, a time in which sportswear meant polished outfits, not sweatpants.
The Lace-Leaf Pocket Cardigan. This cardigan has some pretty detailing, but the fronts that don't meet combined with the sleeves that are too short make it look too small. My guess is that this sample was simply not big enough to fit this model. If you are going to knit this, I'd recommend that you make sure the sleeves are the right length and that it's wide enough to fit the wearer.
The Flirtatious Felt Hat. The shape of this hat is really good and I like the idea of a knitted band for it. There are better colourways for this design, though.
The Maids' and Maidens' Lace Blouse. Love this one, which updates a twenties style by shaping it like a contemporary sweater.
The Market Day Beret. Cute little classic beret.
The Bristol Pool Double-Braided Muffler. Another beautiful classic scarf that almost any man would be happy to wear.
The Going to Town Tam. Very much like this one, which looks even better from the back than it does here.
See? The broken lines and the centre button are so visually interesting.
The Evergreen Table Set. This doily is a lovely piece of work and the colour and its diagonal lines update it as much as a doily can be updated, but I don't know anyone who uses doilies these days. My 75-year-old mother scorns them as hopelessly old fashioned.
A Lampshade for the Grand House. This is really pretty, but the concept of homemade lampshades makes me very, very nervous. I started to research and write a post on knitted lampshades once, and what I read made me decide to delete the draft and abandon the idea for a post altogether. Factory-made lampshades have to meet certain safety regulations with regard to flammability; a handmade lampshade does not, so one cannot be sure it'll be safe to use. It seems to me that it would be a better idea to dress up an existing shade by adding beaded fringes (using glass beads and fine wire, not plastic beads and thread or yarn) than to knit one. I really don't care at all for the thought of any of my readers being burnt to a crisp, so if you do decide to make this pattern and put it on a lamp, please don't ever leave the lamp unattended while lit.
The Upstairs and Downstairs Bag for Needlework and Sewing. Lovely little bag, though I would be inclined to use this an evening bag rather than a sewing bag, as very few of my sewing projects would ever fit in a bag this size.
The Tea Cozy for Cook. This is definitely from the Frumpy Grandmother category of design.
. I'm revelling in imagining this coat in a variety of other colourways, though you'll need to be very good at working with colour to plan a colourway as beautifully integrated as this one.
. It's so simple yet so distinctive.
. Some unusual and interesting texture here, with lattice work laid over stripes.
.
. If I was making this sweater for a boy, I'd tweak it a little to make it more masculine by going with wooden buttons, or perhaps leather buckles, and perhaps a different colourway.