Noro Magazine Issue 6: A Review

Noro Magazine has released its sixth issue. Let's have a look at the designs within.

Pattern #1, Lacy Crop Top. Has that "shrunk in the wash" look and is unflattering even on the model.

Pattern #2, Lace Tee. This isn't so bad, at least not compared to the last one. It would make a decent cover-up for the beach at any rate.

Pattern #3, Crochet Openwork Top. For that "I made a top out of a shopping bag" look.

Pattern #4, Drop-Stitch Yoke Top. Attractive, flattering, and wearable.

Pattern #5, Lace Cowl. Pretty. I like the delicate, seashell-like colourway.

Pattern #6, Lace Pattern Top. This has very decent shaping, although I can't say I care for the colourway.

Pattern #7, Crochet Circles Afghan. Rather pretty. It's definitely miles above the standard granny square afghan.

Pattern #8, Fluted Scarf. Not a bad statement scarf. The stitchwork on the ends makes what would otherwise be a standard scarf interesting.

Pattern #9, Textured Shawl. Lovely texture and colourwork.

Pattern #10, Crescent-Shape Shawl. Very pretty.

Pattern #11, Diagonal Eyelet Scarf. Nice lace effect.

Pattern #12, Spiral Rib Tote. This has such a weird shape, and it's going to sag like crazy the second a woman puts her keys in it.

Pattern #13, Mobius Cowl. Attractive and wearable.

Pattern #14, Lacy Tam. Cute little cap.

Pattern #15, Multi-Directional Cap. This one comes across as a bit odd. The stitches used don't work together that well and the proportions look rather awkward.

Pattern #16, Entrelac Pillow Covers. Really lovely. The gorgeous colours are what make it.

Pattern #17, Entrelac Scarf. Pretty.

Pattern #18, Entrelac Poncho. I'd really like to know how this poncho would look if the model weren't standing with arms akimbo, or on a non-model. My guess is "not as well as it does here". I'm very much liking the turtleneck and the front panel and the colour combinations, but I can't help thinking this would look way better and be much more wearable if shaped as a sweater.

Pattern #19, Cropped Tank. Hey, if you feel you have the figure and the confidence for this one, why not.

Pattern #20, Lace-Up Shell. Can't say I find this appealing. The yarn used here is so drab, and those leather cords hanging down in front would drive me crazy. The piece isn't a bad shape, and I suppose if done in a more attractive yarn and with the cord ends made shorter it would be reasonably wearable.

Pattern #21, Crossover Vest. Not bad piece. That neckline frames the wearer's face well.

Pattern #22, Racer-Back Top. Again, if you think you can carry this off, why not.

Pattern #23, Sleeveless Top. Nice except for the shoulders, which could be better shaped. Either go with a cap sleeve or cut the shoulders in a little.

Pattern #24, Round-Neck Pattern Vest. Pretty but could use waist shaping.

Pattern #25, Chevron Pattern Vest. Too afghan-like.

Pattern #26, Wavy Stripes Pullover. Also too afghan-like... it's the stripes. It would work better if the body were done in a single yarn and the dropped shoulders were fixed.

Pattern #27, Fringed Scarf. Nice-looking scarf.

Pattern #28, Chevron Mitts. Clunky and clumsy looking.

Pattern #29, Crocheted Chevron Cowl. This is okay, but it does have a bit of an "upcycled afghan" look to it.

Pattern #30, Welted Chevron Cowl. Rather pretty.

Pattern #31, Vine Lace Blanklet. Nice.

Pattern #32, Cable & Rib Blanket. Lovely! The colours and the stitchwork work together beautifully.

Knitty First Fall 2015: A Review

Knitty has released its First Fall 2015 issue. Let's have a look at it. This is the Baker Street scarf. It's run-of-the-mill classic, but of course because it's such a classic, it's a handsome piece of work.





Pub Crawl Cowl. This is very college/university student, but I have to admit it's cute and fun.

Dragon's Breath cowl. Pretty!

Damascena cowl. Love this one. It's both retro in a 1920s collegiate argyle sweater kind of way, and contemporary, because the variants in the argyle pattern are a new twist.

Jamestown pullover. Nice piece with an effective combination of cable and cross hatch stitches. I'd neaten up the fit a bit.





Desert Belle. This drape front cardigan was made with an optional striped bottom panel that can be zipped on or off. It is an interesting, creative concept, but this is one of those times a good concept didn't get the execution it deserved. I like the sweater much better without it.

Saint Rémy pullover. Simple and striking.

Nelina. Wow. This is really a terrific piece of design, with an unusual bias-knit construction, great shaping, and lovely stitchwork. It's flattering, wearable, attractive, and interesting. Very well done!

Stereo Echo Shawl. This one looks for all the world like a giant dish rag when seen flat, and it doesn't look much less so when on the model.

Ridge and Furrow shawl. Pleasing classic shawl.

Atomic fingerless mitts. Cute modern take on the snowflake mitten.

Knit Stitch Felted Tote. This designer created a stockinette stitch-themed tote to hold her knitting. Now that's meta. And it's a well-shaped, well-constructed, and rather snappy-looking bag to boot.

Vanilla Cake Table Scarf. This scarf is woven, not knitted, but I'm including it in the interests of having a complete review. And also because I like that fringe, which could be replicated for a knitted item.

Circles Within Circles Beret. Nice hat. Really effective, attractive stitchwork in this one.

Rhode Island Red Hat. Oh my goodness, these hats are so, so cute! And I don't even like chicken-themed stuff!

Vogue Knitting Early Fall 2015: A Review

The preview pictures of Vogue Knitting Early Fall 2015 is up. Let's have a look at them, shall we?

Pattern #1, Shoulder Cowl. Simple but pretty and wearable. This would be a good pattern to showcase a beautiful yarn in your favourite colour.

Pattern #2, Fair Isle Hat. I think I'd like to see this one in a more defined colourway. The pattern looks more muddled than muted here.

Pattern #3, Tubular Scarf. Nice, but I'd make this a bit longer. That sample is an awkward length that won't stay put.

Pattern #4, Relaxed Cardigan Top. This design seems like a nice compromise between a shawl and a sweater. It sits well and will stay in place.

Pattern #5, Open Front Cardigan. This isn't a bad little cardi, but I do have my reservations about its proportions. It looks as though it was designed not to meet in the front, which generally makes a sweater look skimpy and/or too small.

Pattern #6, Two-Color Raglan Pullover. A bit basic for my taste, and the cropped length and lack of waist shaping aren't helping.

Pattern #7, Fair Isle Vest. Like this piece. The colourway is subtle and muted without being muddled.

Pattern #8, Cabled Wrist Warmers. Attractive and useful.

Pattern #9, Oversized Cowl. Good piece. It's very effectively styled here on this classic navy blue pea coat and on a model who can rock the red.

Pattern #10, Brioche Rib. This isn't bad. I'd leave the pom pom off if the intended wearer is over 25.

Pattern #11, Cocoon Coat. This coat looks very sharp here, but I would like to see it on a non-model who isn't striking a carefully angled pose, because I have my suspicions about how well it would play in a more realistic viewing.

Pattern #12, Square Scarf. Beautiful piece, though I think I would be tempted to let my couch wear it.

Pattern #13, Fur Jacket. This one has a bit of a "headless Muppet" look to it, and even the model can't lend it much style or grace.

Pattern #14, Cabled Pullover. Classic cabled design. Add waist shaping if it doesn't have any (and it doesn't appear to) to help counteract the bulky effect.

Pattern #15, Breton Pullover. An impeccable classic.

Pattern #16, Pullover with V-Inset. This isn't terrible or without interest, but there is a certain off-putting roughness to its stitchwork.

Pattern #17, Crew Neck Pullover. This reminds me of a stitch sampler. And it's a good, carefully finished piece, but I would be inclined to knit the front and the back in the same stitch to keep the look simpler and cleaner.

Pattern #18, Lightweight Pullover. Can't say I care much for this one. All those holes aren't pulling together thematically. And the dropped shoulders, lack of waist shaping, and oversized fit aren't helping.

Pattern #19, V-Neck Cardi. Nice little cardigan for summer wear.

Pattern #20, Boat-Neck Pullover. Quite like the stitchwork employed here, which has a very sharp overall effect. I'd raise the drop shoulders and neaten up the fit a bit though.

Pattern #21, Belted Cardigan. This has some good features — the sleeves and the upper back look terrific — but I'm not liking the shape, which will be difficult for a non-model to carry off, and that limp little collar just looks sad.

Pattern #22, Ballet-Neck Cardigan. Very appealing, wearable piece with good shaping and just the right amount of detail. Any woman would look good in this sweater as long as it fit her well.

Pattern #23, Multi-Directional Cardigan. I'm loving what I can see here (that lace across the back and sleeves looks fantastic), though I do have reservations about the sit of the front collar and whatever's happening in the lower front, which we can't see, though the back view shows that the sweater gets longer in the front.

Pattern #24, Fringed Cardigan. I'm a very hard sell on draped front cardigans, but this one sits so well and has such great texture and shaping that I have to applaud its designer.

Pattern #25, Deep V-Neck Cardigan. This one's nice on the whole, but I would run the buttons all the way to the bottom and alter the neckline. The sweater looks too unfinished this way.

Mrs. Wilson's Knitting Circle

In a presentation called "Mrs. Wilson's Knitting Circle" that was recorded on February 7, 2014 in the J.C. Nichols Auditorium at the American National World War I Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, the Museum's Curator of Education, Lora Vogt, and its Registrar, Stacy Peterson, introduce World War I-era knitting patterns and discuss the history of the National World War I Museum and knitting during World War I.