Knitty Winter 2017: A Review

Let's have a look at Knitty's Winter 2017 issue, shall we?

Fallingbrook. An attractive cabled hat and mittens set.

Kate's Kitten. This is undeniably cute, but I think if I wanted to knit a cat, I'd rather knit a cat that looked like... a cat... rather than a Humpty Dumpty with ears.

Tiina. Nice! I'm liking the diamond cable effect.

Funny Ellada. This looks like something a Home Ec student turned in for the knitting component of their course work after cobbling it together in a few days, because the semester was over and it was either turn something in or fail the class altogether.

Tescherae. This one is absolutely fabulous and a visual treat.

Fylgje Shawl. This is an attractive modular shawl. I also think the basic idea could be used to make a lovely contemporary style afghan.

Isochronal Arc. The use of colour gives a contemporary feel to this lace capelet.

Carreau. Quite like this one. There's a smaller version of this pattern done in black and white, but I think it's the colourway of this one that makes the pattern.

Crusader. This cowl is a little too careless and random in style for my tastes, but I must admit that it works well as styled and worn here. The yarn is beautiful and the colours work well together and suit the model.

Ceibo. This isn't so much a design for a cropped top as it is a scarf with pretensions and sleeves.

Cool Bearing. This is totally cute, and in a way that's sophisticated enough for an adult to wear.

Oberon. Classic cabled cardigan.

Nukumori. These are a sort of abbreviated form of legwarmers -- kneewarmers, if you will. Though they've clearly been carefully designed (check out the shaping), they look a little awkward, as though they're going through a form of hosiery puberty that leaves them stranded somewhere between kneesocks and thigh highs.

Stellen. Love the lacework in these.

Battle of Wills. That is one snazzy-looking cable!

Instant Mash. I like the woven, cushy look of these children's mittens.

Skew Too. Simple, unadorned mitts. This is one of those patterns that would be a good choice for showcasing an interesting yarn.

Interweave Knits Winter 2018: A Review

Interweave Knits has released their Winter 2018 issue. Let's have a look at it!

Anchorage Cardigan. Good texture and shaping in this one.

Clinton Creek Hat. I'm liking the concept of a textured band and a stockinette body in a cap.

Dawson City Pullover. A lovely and classic fair isle yoke pullover.

Eagle Island Cardigan. This is a very attractive example of a Cowichan-style sweater, and it's also quite Dude-esque. I like the combination of gray, black, cream and red, as a nice change from the traditional black, grey, and white, or brown, tan, and white.

Elim Poncho. Some really lovely stitchwork in this one. I'm not as thrilled with the shape of this thing, but then I'm no fan of the poncho in general. It does drape well.

Grand Forks Pullover. Strikingly beautiful.

Grayling Cardigan. Another beautiful fair isle piece. I'm not crazy about the belt, which obscures some of the pretty pattern and does nothing to make the sweater sit attractively. Surely it would be better to shape this sweater at the waist.

Ibex Valley Mittens. Love the pinecone design, and these look super warm and cosy.

Iditarod Pullover. Fabulous cable patterns. I so need a broad-shouldered, hunky boyfriend to knit this for. Interested eligible bachelors are welcome to apply!

Klondike Pullover. Very decent piece with some interesting cable work.

Mount Lorne Pullover. So beautiful! That yoke is really fabulous.

Nome Pullover. The front cabling is good. I'm not crazy about the neckline, which is a bit too low and open for a man's sweater.

Rohn Pullover. Another lovely yoked sweater.

White Mountain Ruana. This has some great texture, but these loose, bulky, baggy numbers never really appeal to me much.

Whitehorse Pullover. Not bad, but I would fix those dropped shoulders. The sleeves look so absurdly short.

Yukon River Stockings. Ah, thigh high stockings for the sensible showgirl who wants to dance the can-can in Whitehorse without developing pneumonia. I kid because I love -- these are well-shaped and beautifully cabled, and they would be a good way to add some extra protection in extremely cold temperatures.

Vogue Knitting Holiday 2017: A Review

Vogue Knitting has released its Holiday 2017 issue. Let's have a look at it.

Pattern #1, Chunky Pullover. This is a very decent-looking bulky weight sweater. I would fix those dropped shoulders though.

Pattern #2, Blanket. Lovely!

Pattern #3, Scandinavian Hat. Cute and wearable with some interesting, intricate stitchwork.

Pattern #4, Fair Isle Band Pullover. A nice-looking piece. I like the neckline.

Pattern #5, Selburose Pullover. The snowflake motifs are quite strikingly attractive against that dark blue, and I like the added pop of colour in the wristband edges.

Pattern #6, Pom Hat. I... don't quite know how this got in this issue. Was it supposed to be filed away with some of the old Vogue Knitting children's patterns from the fifties and did it somehow lose its way?

Pattern #7, Fair Isle Yoke Pullover. Nice. I wasn't quite sure I liked that red zig zag at the top of the sleeves, because it does give the impression that the sleeves are tacked to the body with red yarn, but I think it works and gives the sweater a little extra interest.

Pattern #8, Scandinavian Socks. Oooh, such pretty, smart socks! Favourited for a possible 2018 project plan!

Pattern #9, Zipped Obi. Interesting accessory, and I must admit it adds a bit of style and interest to this plain white shirt and black leather skirt. I don't think I'll be making myself one though, as I am too short through the torso to carry it off and I would present as someone who didn't know what cowls were.

Pattern #10, Modular Obi Belt. Not a bad belt, and it would be easier to wear than the one above because it's so much narrower.

Pattern #11, Fair Isle Obi. This is probably my favourite of the three obis, though I wouldn't make it in these colours. The plum and green are good, but the variegated pink and green is distractingly unattractive against it.

Pattern #12, Lace Pullover. Not bad for a layering piece. This would be one to make in a beautiful mohair or angora.

Pattern #13, Chevron Top. I rather like the look of this one, though I'd wear a thin sleeveless tank top or camisole underneath because I would be terrified that the flap wouldn't stay closed.

Pattern #14, Lace Cardigan. Between its dreary colourway and its baggy, saggy lines, this sweater is essentially depression in knit form.

Pattern #15, Everyday Poncho. Oh dear, this poncho has such an unflattering shape. From the back, this model looks like a blob with hands.

Pattern #16, Curve Cable Pullover. I rather like the concept of this one, but the shaping and proportions feel off, and the back of this sweater has a sad, defeated look, as though it just split up from its long-time companion, the equally morose Pattern #14. I'd change the trajectory of the cable so that it entended to the shoulder and then down the sleeve, and I'd neaten up the shape.

Pattern #17, Textured Pullover. I'm rather impressed by the well-integrated textural effects on this one, and the shaping is good. I would however nix that ridge across the upper bodice and replace it with a band of another stitch, such as the one used on the upper sleeve.

Pattern #18, Shawl Collar Coat. A wearable, simple piece. I'd fix the dropped shoulders.

Pattern #19, Bomber Jacket. This looks too much like a beginner project. It's too simple and unadorned to have any interest or sophistication.

Pattern #20, Adelaide Shawl. This piece has interest and sophistication enough for five items. It's strikingly attractive and I love it.

Pattern #21, Cropped Ruffle Cardi. This looks like a bed jacket from some old 1940s movie. And it really ought to have stayed there. Even this fabulous model, with all her style, can't quite make it look other than silly and fussy.

Pattern #22, Ruffle Sleeve Top. When I was copying all the pictures into this post, I didn't think I was going to like this one, but now that I've come to the point of writing about it and taking a closer look, I am pretty sure I do like it. It strikes me as a contemporary and unfussy take on the ruffled sweater. I won't be making it for me, though, because I'm pretty sure it won't work very well on the well-endowed figure.

Pattern #23, A-Line Pullover. Not bad. The shape is good, and this one would be a good one to showcase some beautiful yarns in your favourite colours.

Pattern #24, Ruffle Yoke Sweater. This is so... 1982. And not in a good way.

Pattern #25, Danish Sontag Shawl. Attractive and timeless.