Noro Magazine Issue 14: A Review

Noro Magazine Issue 14 is out. Let's have a look at it, shall we?

Pattern #01, Raglan Sleeve Top. Love the colourway; would neaten up the fit considerably.

Pattern #02, Simple Ruana. An opening in the centre of a beach blanket does not a wearable item make.

Pattern #03, Crochet Dress. This is one of those designs that, at first glance, I think I'll pan, but wind up liking upon closer study. This one requires an underlayer, of course, which makes it not so wearable as a summer dress, but it would make a cute beach coverup.

Pattern #04, Sleeveless Hoodie. The colour's a little dreary, but the lines are good.

Pattern #05, Fringed Dress. I'm looking at the mesh bodice, flap pockets, and fringed hem, and thinking that they really do not belong on the same dress because they don't work together at all. Pick your least favourite and second least favourite of those three features (protip: one of those items should be the flaps on the pockets), eliminate them, and let the third design element carry the dress.

Pattern #06, Triangular Shawl. This needs an edging of some kind as it looks a little unfinished as is.

Pattern #07, Origami Shawl. Beautiful wrap.

Pattern #08, Offset Cable Tee. Nice top which the styling isn't doing any favours -- all the other details are simply distracting. If I were to style an outfit around a piece made from Noro, I'd let the Noro item do the talking.

Pattern #09, Dropped Shoulder Tee. Cute, but I'd scale back the sizing to a relaxed fit.

Pattern #10, Tank Top. Delicately pretty.

Pattern #11, Round-Yoke Top. Not bad. I'd lengthen this, as cropped length tops flatter very few women.

Pattern #12, Raglan Poncho. I'm a hard sell on ponchos, but this one has good shaping and sits well.

Pattern #13, Honeycomb Stitch Top. Nice lines and stitchwork.

Pattern #14, Brioche T-Shirt. I rather like the idea of an off-the-shoulder neckline and the ruffles at the end of the sleeves, but I would neaten up the fit a good bit.

Pattern #15, Brioche Tank Top. I like the straps but this looks so square through the bodice. I'd add waist-shaping and lengthen the bodice.

Pattern #16, Brioche Wrap. This sits unexpectedly well. I'd make it in a non-dishwater-like colour.

Pattern #17, Chevron Cowl. This is so cute that it manages to visually hold its own against the model's hat.

Pattern #18, Modulation Cowl. Ripple stitch wraps tend to look afghan-y, but this one and the one above don't, probably because of their smart shape.

Pattern #19, Mosaic Cowl. Beautiful colourway and stitchwork.

Pattern #20, Mitered Blanket. Lovely and contemporary.

Pattern #21, Sequence Stripes Blanket. Nice in a very neutral, unobtrusive kind of way.

Pattern #22, Titled Blocks Scarf. This one does look more than a little afghan-y.

Pattern #23, Wavy Stolette. This one looks a little awkward, as though it's trying unsuccessfully to look like a sweater draped around the shoulders and tied by the arms in front.

Pattern #24, Leaf Band Hat. Cute!

Pattern #25, Mock Neck Capelet. Everything about this piece is adorable.

Pattern #26, Buttoned Vest. Pretty yarn; nondescript, even frumpy, style.

Pattern #27, Half-Sleeved Top. Interesting and rather effective style.

Pattern #28, Sleeveless V-Neck Top. I don't like the way the neckline lies. It looks unfinished and a little awkward.

Pattern #29, Cap-sleeved Top. Pretty in a classic way.

Pattern #30, Eyelet and Garter Top. LOVE the stitchwork. Would neaten up the fit.

Pattern #31, Lace Raglan Pullover. Very decent piece.

PieceWork Summer 2019: A Review

Interweave has released PieceWork's Summer 2019 issue. Let's have a look at it, shall we?

Sanfelice Baby Jacket. This is beautiful and I would love to make it for the next baby of my acquaintance.

Danish Nattrøjer Socks to Knit. Pleasingly intricate.

A Riot of Color Vintage Socks. These socks would be a fun way to play with knitting with various colours and motifs on a small scale.

A Morris Company Design to Embroider. This one isn't knitted, of course, but I'm including it because it's pretty cool. It seems a pretty safe guess that it's based on William Morris's Arts & Craft textile designs.

Knitscene Summer 2019: A Review

Knitscene has released their Summer 2019 issue. Let's have a look at it, shall we?

Welded Lace Shawl. Interesting combination of traditional lace detail with a contemporary-style mohair stripe.

Beacon Fire Cardigan. There's some interesting texture and detail in this design, but I'm not convinced that it hangs all that well.

Butterfly Mitts. These are cute in a reasonably adult sort of way.

New Growth Hat. The pretty and well-executed embroidery is a nice touch.





Mended Heart Hat & Socks Set. What a cute set. These "darning style" embroidered hearts work so well against a simple colour block background.

Kindling Cardigan. I can't help but think this one would look better if it was actually big enough for the model.

Ignition Point Shawl. What gorgeous stitchwork.

Fused Market Tote. This unlined tote, with its skinny little straps, has no strength to it and will not hold much at all before it sags out of shape.

Flickering Pullover. This one would make quite a pretty and useful summer top.

Flash Point Top. This one has a fun, attractive look.

Exothermic Pullover. I'm a hard sell on both the cold shoulder look and very open weave knits, but this isn't a bad example of its kind. The shaping is good and the stitchwork is interesting.

Flames Shawl. Very pretty border on this one.

Diadem Effect Beret. The embroidery on this hat is supposed to resemble fireworks, but to my mind it bears a most unfortunate resemblance to amoebas, which appear to have mobilized and to be attacking the wearer's brain.

Combustion Shawl. An attractive contemporary-style shawl.

Sparks Top. For the woman who thinks of Daisy Duke as a fashion icon.

Sweet Spot Hat. Nice little knitted cap.

Prometheus Top. This one's a little post modern and unstructured for my tastes -- and I can never stand to have excess fabric flapping about me -- but I must admit I can think of a friend of mine with very contemporary tastes who could rock this. This design can also be worn as a scarf, and versatility always gets points in my book.

Plasma Shawl. Very effective use of the dropped stitch technique.

Oxidation Mitts. Decent mitts on the whole, but I don't think the embroidery adds much. I'd probably just replace it with a few stripes at the wrist.