Knit Simple Holiday 2017: A Review

Knit Simple has released its Holiday 2017 issue. Let's have a look at it, shall we?

Pattern #01, Handwarmers. Simple, useful pattern.

Pattern #02, Ribbed Hat. Not bad. I'm not thrilled with the shape of the top, though.

Pattern #03, Cacti. If I were to make one of these, I'd use it as a pincushion.

Pattern #04, Leafy Dishcloths. These are a fun change from the usual square dishcloth.

Pattern #05, Long Cowl. This is a bit crude looking for my tastes.

Pattern #06, Dog Pillow; and pattern #07, Clutch. Can't say I care for the dog pillow, which looks slapped together and silly. The clutch is pretty basic.

Pattern #08, Cowl. This is rather pleasing. The shaping is good and the yarn makes it.

Pattern #09, Scrubbies; and pattern #10, Textured Scarf. The dishcloths and scrub mitt are okay. I rather like the scarf, though I think it needs a fringe.

Pattern #11, Messy Bun Hat. This hat design gets points for creativity, but the "hair bun as pom pom" look has the effect of a pom pom that's gone into moult.

Pattern #12, Stroller Blanket. I don't like the "crudely slapped together" look of this blanket. The yarn is beautiful, but it deserved better.

Pattern #13, Rainbow Scarf. Nice little shawl.

Pattern #14, Key Fobs. I don't think I'd care to have my keys look like they belonged the world's smallest cheerleader.

Pattern #15, Cold Shoulder Top. I'd be inclined to make this in a yarn more suited to a special occasion, such as a silk, or some kind of novelty yarn. Pairing a shoulder-baring design with a mohair worsted makes for rather odd look.

Pattern #16, Two-Tone Party Top. I rather like the effect of the colour blocked laceweight panels, though I don't think I would pair something in these candied shades with a black leather skirt.

Pattern #17, Two-Textured Sweater. The combination of a merino yarn with a laceweight yarn creates the effect of a piece half-eaten by moths, which would make me anxious to get the thing off before the larvae came back to finish the job.

Pattern #18, Crossover Top. This is rather unique and attractive, and a good way to add a warm and interesting layer to a simple outfit.

Pattern #19, Open-Back Top. This sweater looks as though it realized it was too frumpy in the front view, and decided to compensate by going full-on vamp in the back. The ultimate effect is about as successful as overcompensation usually is.

Pattern #20, Crochet Top. This one looks as though a video game screen background decided to start a new life as a sweater.

Pattern #21, Square of the Month KAL. Some beautiful stitchwork in this, and I like the gradient effect, but I'd ditch those distracting raised seams.

Pattern #22, Basketball; and pattern #23, Basketball Court Blanket. This is such a great concept, and it's well rendered. I am sure the little basketball fan in your life would be thrilled to get a blanket and a cushion that can be both played with and snuggled with.

Pattern #24, Football; and pattern #25, Football Field Blanket. The ball and field idea works equally well with football.

Pattern #26, Soccer ball; and pattern #27, Soccer Field Blanket. And here's the soccer set, which is also well done. As a Canadian, however, I must point out that there's no hockey puck and blanket set. Maybe I'll have to design one myself, as I know a little hockey fanatic who would like one.

Pattern #28, Hobo Tote. This isn't an unattractive bag, but unlined knitted bags do tend to stretch terribly, as I see this one is doing, even though it has only a few light items in it.

Pattern #29, Striped Tote. This bag looks a little sturdier than the previous one. The designer has added handles and stabilized the knitted tote by sewing a purchased tote bag into it, which is an excellent idea. Do make sure the purchased tote bag and the knitted one coordinate well in terms of colour. The white handles we see here don't complement the ivory and green knitted bag.

Pattern #30, Crochet Tote. This isn't such a bad-looking bag, and it will be sturdier than a knitted bag because crochet is stiffer and less stretchy than knitting. I'd still line it, though.

Pattern #31, Felted Boat Bag. This one's felted, which is another way to make a knitted bag less prone to stretching. This looks like a good beach bag to me.

Pattern #32, Simple Tote. This thing wouldn't have the strength to hold anything without stretching all to hell, and it's not much to look at. I'd give this one a pass.

Pattern #33, Slouchy Market Bag. The pattern of this is very pretty. I'd line this though, not only to strengthen the bag, but because I wouldn't care to have the contents of my bag showing through it. Women don't only bring home picturesque loaves of French bread and celery stalks from the gocery store -- sometimes we bring home tampons.

Knitscene Winter 2017: A Review

Knitscene has released its Winter 2017 issue. Let's have a look at it.

Bearly There Cap. This is cute, and even better, it's cute in a way that's adult-appropriate.

Bridges Scarf. This is an easy knit and it's attractive enough. It is big, but then you can always knit it to whatever scale you like.

Checkers Scarf. This is such a smart scarf it even looks fairly well worn over a sequined dress.

Dancing Deer Hat and Mittens. A nice interpretation of the classic reindeer pattern.

Dejlig Sweater. I can't help but feel that these visible seams are seams gone wrong.

Enkel Cowl. I rather like the stitchwork in this one.

Flette Blanket. A handsome and cozy throw.

Flurries. This is the nicest cowl I've seen in awhile. The pattern is beautiful, and it sits so well.

Hoppers Cowl. The design's nice enough but I don't like the way this cowl sits. I think my favourite cowls are, like the previous one, knitted tube-style, or at least reversible, so that the wrong side isn't visible and there are no limp edges.

Hvile Poncho. Love the cables on this. I'm a little hesitant about the shape, but I think it works fairly well. It would stay in place and allow movement, and it hangs fairly well.

Kostbar Cowl. Not a bad little lacy cowl, and that is a fun t-shirt. Its message has a special resonance for me, given my chronic fatigue issues.

Lone Buck Vest. Oooh, I like this vest, which presents as a re-invented Christmas sweater for millennials. The fair isle buck and the bands on the sleeve are nice twists.

Lykke Sweater. This sweater has a very early eighties feel to it. It's not bad, but I think I'd do it in a more interesting yarn than a plain cream, as it needs a little something.

Night Birds Sweater. Very nice! Love the motifs in this one, and that colourway really pops.

Rivers Cowl. I'm liking the Art Deco look of the cables in this cowl.

Tyk Cardigan. This is the little afghan that wanted so much to become a cardigan that it magically sprouted sleeves.

Vinter Poncho. This is another afghan that wanted so desperately to be an item of wearing apparel that it developed a neck hole. I do love the stitch used in this one, though, and it drapes so well, but this piece would swamp most women.

Rib Magazine No. 3 Alchemy: A Review

Rib Magazine has released its third issue, "Alchemy". Let's have a look at it.

Alchemy Pullover. Nice one! I like the way the different bands of colour blend together.

Protean Pullover. Oooh, handsome! And the sweater's attractive and classic too. (Sorry, a little deprived here.)

Isometric Scarf. Very wearable, nicely textured scarf.

Háls Cowl. I'm loving the little Fair Isle motifs, and this checked effect is a creative way to use them.

Revolution Watch Cap. A classic knitted cap with a bit of a twist provided by its inventive stitchwork.

Tetrahedron Socks. These are fun and also have a 1930s throwback feel, which is one of my design sweet spots. The ripple texture and dark heels and toes make for a good-looking sock, and the houndstooth patterned heels is such a great added touch.

Creative Knitting Winter 2017: A Review

Creative Knitting magazine has released its Winter 2017 issue. Let's have a look at it.

Bodacious Bobble Hat. Cute, though I can think of better colourways for it.

Color Play Vest. This looks for all the world like a bathmat with a button on it.

Color Theory Throw. I love this one without qualification.

Cozy Cabin Cowl. This has a slightly rough, patched-together look.

Kireina Cardigan. Very attractive stitchwork in this one, and good shaping, though I would add another inch or so to the depth of that collar. As you can see, it's not lying flat even in this photo.

Knit & Weave Cowl. This is another cowl that has a patchy, tacked-together look.

Rainy Day Reading Socks. Cute, cheerful socks.

Beguiling Basket-Weave Cap & Scarf. This is a handsome hat and scarf set with good texture, and it would work with most jackets and coats.

On the Edge. The Ravelry page for this pattern calls it a dress and Creative Knitting's blurb calls it a poncho. I'd call it a tunic, myself, and given that it's so bulky, not a terribly flattering one. It's never a good sign when a model needs to cock her hip and put one hand on her waist to make a design look good.

Transitional Tunic. Nice detailing at the neck and cuffs, but this A-line shape may be a tricky one to wear.

Weekender Pullover. Bland simple pullover with dropped shoulders. There are better basic patterns out there.

Wrapture. Knit coats can be hard to wear, but this isn't bad at all. It sits quite well. It's very simple and neutral, but that means that it'll go with the maximum number of outfits, and the mohair-like texture keeps it from being boring. I'd do this in a beautiful quality, textured yarn in a colour that is a pleasure to look at, and use some sort of interesting fastener for the toggle, like a brooch. I'd also fix the dropped shoulders.

Archways Hat. Cute cabled hat.

Bisqueware Poncho. This sits so well, and the colourway's lovely.

Cables on the Catwalk. I rather like this one. It's bulky, but it's well shaped enough that it doesn't swamp the model, and it would turn a simple outfit into something interesting.

Wandering Cables. I'm less than enthused about this one. I usually am an easy sell on a cable cardigan, but this one has such a bulky, awkward look to it, with its dropped shoulders and deep neckline.

Ski Lodge Wrist Warmers. I'd put half-thumbs on these. The design looks like it's been amputated as is.