Love of Knitting Winter 2016: A Review

Love of Knitting has released their Winter 2016 issue. Let's have a look at it.

Winter Wonderland Aran Sweater. Classic Aran sweater.

Vertical Stripes Pullover. This is one of those well-shaped, minimally detailed pieces that are perfect for showcasing a beautiful yarn in your favourite colour.

Vertical Stripes Cardigan. This isn't bad on the whole, but those front edges don't sit well.

Lytle Cowl and Hat. The stitchwork in these pieces is very good, but I can't say I care for the limp way in which that cowl sits.

Barcelona Pullover. The designer of this item has managed to give a classic cable and rib sweater a fresh look by making sparing use of asymmetry and a touch of stitchwork in the waistband. Nice piece.

Nordic Winter Hat & Cowl Set. This is a nice little set. It's been styled well too, as this is just the right hat and cowl to add a bit of colour and interest to a plain gray coat.

Window Cat Child's Cardigan. This is cute in a whimsical way, but I think I'd fiddle with the design a little more by adding a little more detail to the cats and by doing something different with the yoke. I'd replace the garter stitch with some other kind of stitchwork.

Circus Train Caboose. The caboose in this train set is the last in a series of patterns. The caboose is probably my favourite of the four train car patterns, as it's the best shaped and detailed.

Lodge Pullover. I don't think the idea of an inset lace cowl neckline works in a bulky knit. I'd do this sweater in a fingering weight and use a more interesting lace pattern for the cowl.

Feather Throw. A perfect and elegant afghan that would fit into nearly any decor.

Diamonds Swatch Cloth. A not uninteresting stitch.

Northern Lights Poncho. I quite like this one, with its attractively blended colours and nicely detailed neckband and bottom hem.

Chain Links Set. Can't say I care for this look. The holes in the "chain" look merely crude rather than interesting.

Daddy & Me Hat. Classic cabled hats. The stocking cap shape and pom pom is a nice touch on the child's hat.

Mommy & Me Hoods. The hooded scarf is style that can look a little odd and quaint, but I think it's a look that does need bringing back because it's so incredibly practical. A hood is warmer than a hat any day, and it would be impossible for one to lose the scarf. These adult and child versions are handsome examples of the style.

Supernova Cowl. Can't say I care for this one, which makes this woman look like she tacked a random swatch of knitting around her neck to hide a hickey.

Color Boxes Cardigan. This one needed some polishing up. I'd have replaced those rolled edges with something more polished, and gone with a more interesting colourway.

Complete with a Bow Wrap. This is so "granny in a rocking chair" that even this young model and her contemporary chair can't pull it off.

Anticipation Pullover. The pattern description calls this a special occasion sweater, and I agree that it is. The elongated length, fitted shape, boatneck and three-quarter sleeves give the design impact, and the touch of lace and the addition of a satin ribbon tie makes it dressy. I'd be inclined to pair this sweater with a pair of velvet trousers.

Starry Night Tunic. This is supposed to be another evening sweater, but the schlumpy shape and unfinished edges makes it look more like a "relaxing on the couch in yoga pants" kind of sweater.

Shades of White Shawl. This is a lusciously beautiful piece of work, but it does look more like an afghan than a shawl.

Pom Pom Quarterly Winter 2016: A Review

Pom Pom Quarterly has released its Winter 2016 issue. Let's have a look at it, shall we?

Alloy. This a is a pretty standard ribbed cap, but the subtly blended three-colour palette really elevates it.

Alula. Fabulous wrap. I love everything about it: the chartwork, the way it drapes, the colours, and even the tassels, which are a perfect finishing touch.

Calder. A graceful and very useful little scarf/wrap.

Cesium. A well-shaped and carefully finished classic cabled pullover.

Fragmentation. A very pretty use of gradient colour.

Lemel. This is one of those patterns that make me sit up and take notice, because it's something truly different. I love the ruched ribbon effect. I'd neaten up the fit a bit, but otherwise this is an attractive, wearable, and eye-catchingly unique piece.

Ma'am. This one doesn't do it for me. I think the problem is that it needed some more detailing and better shaping. It's a bit blah and frumpy as is, especially in its lower half.

Ondeto. A handsome scarf with some lovely stitchwork.

Palindrome. Oooh, this contemporary wrap has a lot of style.

Tallat. This struck me as a nice classic at first casual glance, but the more I look at it the less pleasing it gets. The only details are the mullet hem, dropped shoulders, "built-in" mitts, and a high collar that doesn't sit well. Even the lovely professional model who is wearing it looks frumpy in this pullover.

Vanishing Point. Some nice chevron pattern stitchwork in these.

Knitter's Magazine 124: A Review

Knitter's Magazine has released issue 124, or their fall issue. Let's have a look at, shall we?

Nomad Jacket. This isn't bad from what I can see -- and it's undeniably a graphically striking piece -- but I do wish I could see the front in order to be able to assess it properly.

Bamboo Bars. This has a rough and ready look and the colourway is something of an eyesore.

Bonfire. Lovely stitchwork and a really eye-catching gradient colour scheme.

Autumn Sunset. The shape has an unfortunate boxiness, and I'm not sure that yarn works on a garment-sized scale.

Outlines. A boxy sweater that looks like the love child of a Muppet and a bathmat.

Saffron & Steel. This one is both graceful and distinctive.

Fault Lines. This is so 1986 in its oversized shape and graphic motif that I'm pretty sure I saw it on the cover of some Sweet Dreams romance novel, done in pastels and neon.

Soda & Ash. I do like the stripes, but while the descriptor for this piece claims that the "silhouette is generous, versatile, and perfect for chasing the chill", to me it looks perfect for horseback riding, because it would cover both the rider and a good part of the horse.

Magical Notes. I like this one. The lacework and the shaping are good, and the muted seashell colours are pretty.

Black Hills. This one has that "made of afghan" look.

Sand Mesa. This one has that "made of afghan" look and that "makes me feel like a couch" look. Such unflattering lines.

Tailored Tiles. Some nice mosaic work and the shaping is good, though as will be made clear by the next photo, the styling here does this piece no favours.

City Skirt. Here we have the matching skirt to the previous cardigan, which looks much better over short-sleeved and low-necked top. The lines of the skirt look good, and this really is a rather sharp-looking knit suit.

Alpha/Beta. I get where the designer was going with this, and it does have some nice features, such as the shaping through the body and the stitchwork, but that waistband makes the design looked tacked together and the slit sleeve looks terrible when the model raises her arm.

Alpha/Beta. This is the same design as the one above, done in a different yarn. It's a slight improvement, but the waistband still looks wrong and the sleeves still don't sit right.

Turquoise Trails. I'm really liking the bands of mosaic, which gives this piece quite an original look. I would raise the dropped shoulders and neaten up the fit a little, and I'd love to see this in some other colourways -- which is not to say this one doesn't work.

Southwest Duo. The skirt is well-shaped and a lot of fun, but that vest hangs like it's not even clothing.

Brushstrokes. That curved hem is different and beautifully done, and I like the shaping on the whole, but I think I might go with a cowl neck on this sweater as it'll echo the shape of the hem and the collar in the existing design is not going to cooperate by remaining in standing position as it must if it's to maintain the lines it ought to have. Also, that is one gorgeous yarn -- it's like a wearable Monet painting.