Rib Magazine Issue 2: A Review

Rib magazine has released its second issue. Let's have a look at it.

Navigate Pullover. A handsome and eye-catching new take on the classic cabled pullover.

Rigging Pullover. I'm not thrilled with the way the collar sits on this one, though otherwise it's a nice piece.

Survey Pullover. An excellent use of colour blocking -- and colour blocking can be tricky to pull off.

Cayley Pullover. Lovely piece, lovely colour.

River Rocks Scarf. This brioche scarf has more style than most men's scarves, and yet it's quiet enough for any man to wear. I love the reverse colourway effect of the two sides.

Direction Mitts. Some interesting detailing.

Fickle Steps Socks. I'd wear these myself.

Orienteering Hat. A simple, attractive cap.

Interweave Knits Summer 2017: A Review

Interweave Knits has released their Summer 2017 issue, and as they often do, they've selected designs according to a theme, which in this case is two of William Shakespeare's most famous comedies, A Midsummer Night's Dream and Twelfth Night. Let's have a look at the forms of knitwear unknown, as the designer's scratch pad and needles turn them to shapes and give to airy nothing wearable knitwear forms and a pattern name.

Goodfellow Top. Nice lacework, but I never can get on board with these tiny cropped tops over a big shirt. It has that absurd "shrunk in the wash and didn't think anyone would notice" look.

Helena's Shawl. Speaking of Helena, I fondly remember a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream that I saw in the spring of 1988 when I was 14 and in which the actress who played Helena dropped on all fours and pointed as she uttered the line, "I am your spaniel!" Hilarious as that was, thankfully a woman who wears this item need not be so abject and instead may carry herself with all grace and dignity this very attractive shawl imparts.

Hermia's Shawl. Though this shawl be but little, it is fierce.

Hippolyta's Cover Up. This must be the modern equivalent of Hippolyta's magical girdle, and like its predecessor, it seems to exist more for its enchantment (or seduction) value than as a practical item of wearing apparel. But I kid because I love. This cover-up is a very fetching and high-style little number, even it won't block many UV rays.

Malvolio's Cowl. This is quite a handsome piece, and a much more suitable accessory for the Puritan-minded Malvolio than the yellow stockings and cross-garters he'd been duped into thinking his beloved Lady Olivia wanted him to wear.

Midsummer Kimono. This isn't bad, and it would be a good compromise for someone who wants a wrap or shawl-like effect but can't be bothered with trying to keep them in place.

Olivia's Cape. What a fantastic piece. Everything about it is so beautifully done: the shaping, the herringbone pattern, the I-cord finishing, the finishing touches of the leather buckles. And while it's a piece rendered in a very romantic style, it's not too costumey to be wearable for real life.

Orsino's Vest. A handsome classic for the man who's busy trying to decide whether he really loves Lady Olivia or his handsome new page boy, Cesario, who is actually Viola. With such a confused lovelife, who has time to think about his clothes?

Puck's Tunic. This is quite a pretty and wearable summer top, and it's the perfect thing to wear when one is that merry wanderer of the night who is blithely toying with other people's lives for her own sardonic amusement. It will also work for the office, lunch with friends, or a date.

Titania's Shawl. This is a gorgeous, exquisite piece that's definitely fit for the queen of the fairies, even if she does fall in love with a partial or complete ass.

The Tudor Rose Shawl. Another fabulously beautiful lace shawl. This one and the previous one are both fit for a princess.

Viola's Coat. I'm not liking this one much. The collar has a skimpy look and the fronts sits so poorly that it brings to mind that old "gunny sack tied in the middle" simile. But then perhaps Viola, like Orsino, has no time to think about her sartorial choices. She's been shipwrecked, doesn't know whether her twin brother is dead or alive, is posing as a boy, working as a page, and dealing with several potential suitors, but she's also responsible for the momentum of one of the world's most famous plays.

Vogue Knitting Summer 2017: A Review

Vogue Knitting has released its Summer 2017 issue. Let's take a look at all the summery, knittery goodness inside.

Pattern #1, Lace Ruana. Beautiful lace and drape. Belting a ruana, as has been done here, would help keep the look flattering and in place.

Pattern #2, Oversized Pullover. This looks like a mesh bag with sleeves, and having all that excess knit fabric flapping about under my arms all day would drive me right up the wall.

Pattern #3, Lace Hoodie. If someone had told me in advance that there would be a lace hoodie in this issue of Vogue Knitting, I wouldn't have had high expectations of it, but this is really a terrific piece. The combination of lace and such a sporty style works well, resulting in a piece that's very pretty and is neither too casual nor too formal to be useful for daily wear, besides having all the appeal of a fun and unexpected design twist. Moreover the lace is gorgeous and the shaping is perfect.

Pattern #4, Lace Skirt. This is quite pretty, and as the pattern description says, could be worn with either a blouse and heels or a t-shirt and sandals, but the pastel pink yarn takes it a little to close to doily territory to me. I'd go with a less delicate shade of yarn.

Pattern #5, Lace Sampler Poncho. This looks like a lace tablecloth with a neckline.

Pattern #6, Thigh-High Stockings. These are very pretty (i.e., great lacework, excellent design), and they definitely strike a chord with me given my raging thigh-high stocking fetish, but I do question how wearable these would be, even in cotton, for summertime. They wouldn't look right worn with sandals or any other kind of of summer footwear that I can think of, for one thing. I think I'd make them in wool for cold weather wear.

Pattern #7, Leafy Lace Pullover. Very pretty lacework.

Pattern #8, Counterpane-Inspired Shawl. If you're the sort of person who has the panache to carry off a dramatically large lace shawl, I'd recommend this one. If you consider yourself devoid of panache (as I do), make this shawl without quite so much fringe and enjoy your beautiful afghan.

Pattern #9, Socks. Quite like these, with their natty, retro feel.

Pattern #10, Cowl. Nice piece. Love that it has a reverse colourway on the inside.

Pattern #11, Hat. Like this hat too, with its argyle-like effect.

Pattern #12, Cropped Tank. So smart and so beautifully detailed. It's a cropped length, but if that won't work for you or the intended wearer, it would be easy to lengthen the piece.

Pattern #13, Sanquhar Gloves. Like these too. They have a place on the wrist where one can include the wearer's initials, which is a fun extra touch.

Pattern #14, Arbor Cardigan. I'm not usually a fan of the drape-front cardigan, but this one hangs quite well, and the intricately patterned front and back is a work of art.

Pattern #15, Maevh Cowl. Beautiful leafy lacework, and it hangs so well.

Pattern #16, Tasseled Poncho. While I respect that Vogue Knitting has fully committed to this look by putting tasseled capris on the model, this poncho still looks like something out of a seventies-era homemaker's magazine.

Pattern #17, Textured Tank. Simple and wearable.

Pattern #18, Linen Stitch Stripe Pullover. Interesting variation on the classic Breton stripe pullover.

Pattern #19, Relaxed Tee. There's a relaxed fit, and then there's a "depressed and scarfing chips on the couch while vacantly watching movies on Lifetime" fit, and this is one of the latter.

Pattern #20, Chevron Lace Tee. I like this top on the whole (great colour and stitchwork) but have my concerns over the slightly baggy fit through the waist. But then it's not possible to add waist-shaping to every piece because sometimes it'll interfere with the pattern, and there are people who like and/or can carry off what this pattern's description calls a "blousy fit".

Pattern #21, Supersized Shawl. Another shawl of dramatic size, though this one is of far less impressive stitchwork. I'd be inclined to leave this piece on a couch.

Pattern #22, Swing Back Tank. I'd consider making this one a little longer than intended and using it as a cover-up for the beach.

Pattern #23, Mesh Jacket. I like this one, which has smart lines and would make a very useful little topper for summer.

Pattern #24, Cropped Lace Cardigan. I'm not too taken with this pattern, which is a reprint from Vogue Knitting Spring/Summer 1995 issue. It has too much the look of random samples of lacework tacked together. Vogue Knitting has styled it well here, though, as it looks pretty good worn over a clean-lined, fitted dress.

Knitting Needle Nightmare: A Video

Be afraid. Be very afraid.




In the very special episode of Grandma's Cats Are Trying to Kill Her, Lucas has to foil his grandmother's two murderous cats after they contrive to get into Grandma's sewing room. As for the video itself, I live for the day when screenwriters will take the time to google any craft-related terms they use to find out what they really mean. The writers of this video do not seem to have grasped the definition of "afghan" or to know the difference between "knitting" and "sewing".

Otherwise, the video isn't a bad little watch, and while cats shouldn't play with yarn as it will mess up their small intestine and possibly kill them if they ingest it, if you're facing imminent death at the paws of your beloved but homicidal cat, you're justified in distracting it with yarn until you can escape to a place of safety.

Le Wooling no 1: A Review

I've fallen quite seriously behind on my Bergère de France reviews in the past year but, my chronic fatigue issues willing, I'm going to try to start catching up by doing one review a week until I'm up to date. I can't start with Magazine 185 (which is a collection of summer patterns for kids) the way I would like to as there isn't a complete set of the preview photos for it available online. I shall instead have to begin with the first issue of Bergère de France's new knitting magazine, le Wooling. Bergère de France is clearly trying to freshen up their publications with a new title, but as the patterns aren't a discernible improvement over those in their old magazine, I don't know how successful their rebranding efforts are going to be. But let's get to the review.

Pattern #01, Long Jacket. The pattern description calls this a "fashion staple for late summer". I'd call it a "default outfit for a depressed and possibly drunk housewife".

Pattern #2, Shoulder button sweater. One can hardly go wrong with a classic Breton stripe sweater.

Pattern #3, Shoulder button sweater. The classic Breton sweater looks just as good in other colours, so if the classic navy and white doesn't suit you or the intended wearer, go ahead and play with the colour combination.

Pattern #4, Round neck Fair Isle sweater. I'm not sure this Fair Isle pattern is really working. It's a bit too busy and confused.

Pattern #5, Zip-up jacket. Someone at le Wooling must have discovered the Archie comic books.

Pattern #6, Raglan round neck jumper. This is as basic as it gets, but I suppose for a plain shaker knit pullover, it's fine.

Pattern #7, Round Collar Sweater. Like the previous pattern, this is basic but wearable.

Pattern #8, Cardigan. If you're going to design a double-breasted cardigan, you should design one that sits properly, rather than making a single-breasted cardigan with slightly lengthened fronts, fastening it awkwardly, and calling it a day.

Pattern #9, Hooded Jacket. This isn't bad. It's reasonably well-shaped and attractive, and it will not get the child who wears it to school beaten up.

Pattern #10, V-neck jacket. This is another piece straight out of the drunken, depressed housewife lookbook.

Pattern #11, Round collar sweater. This is a very basic pattern, but using a fun yarn in a pretty, flattering colour turned it into a sweater this child model was probably happy to wear.

Pattern #12, Hooded sweater. Not a bad-looking marled hoodie.

Pattern #13, V-neck sweater. This is a pretty decent colour-blocked pullover. It has a Mary Tyler Moore Show look to me.

Pattern #14, Poncho. This thing is a veritable sandwich board with stripes.

Pattern #15, Cross-over jacket. This is so awkward-looking and sits so poorly.

Pattern #16, Hat; and pattern #17, Wide scarf. Nice classic hat and scarf set.

Pattern #18, Fingerless gloves. I wish whoever had come up with these mitts had taken the trouble to cable them to go with the hat and scarf set above rather than making it in that lazy ridged style.

Pattern #19, Zip-up bag with cables. This has such a crude look. I would have hidden those zippers under proper flies, and figured out a better way to integrate that attached bottom.

Pattern #20, Hooded jacket. The designer really should have put some more effort into shaping this one.

Pattern #21.A, Gilet. I'd put proper buttons -- and button bands -- on this sweater. The ribbons are too delicate a look for such a sturdy, everyday sort of item.

Pattern #21.B, Booties. These are fine, but again, I'd go with another kind of tie than that narrow pink ribbon. Crocheted navy ties would look fine or, if you wish to go with ribbons, something a little wider and in navy would work.

Pattern #22, Baby's sleeping bag. Basic, but attractive enough, and fairly useful.

Pattern #23.A, Crossover cardigan. Not bad. The sit of that front edge is not great, but the sweater's cute enough on the whole that it comes across as rather pretty. I like the combination of pale pink and oatmeal.

Pattern #23.B, Hat. Nice little hat.

Pattern #24.A, Cardigan. Basic little cardigan, but it's definitely a presentable, wearable pattern.

Pattern #24.B, Booties. Basic little booties to go with the cardigan above.

Pattern #25.A, Zippered onesie. Not a bad little onesie, though I'm not sure I like the double zipper look.

Pattern #25.B, Booties. Cute simple booties.

Pattern #26.A, Wrap around. Simple but serviceable and cute, and it has quite a French look to me, because it looks like it's straight out of a Madeline storybook illustration.

Pattern #26.B. Basic hat. I won't claim it looks French.

Pattern #27, Blanket. If you want to make this basic blanket, just make it -- don't waste your money on a pattern for it. Good grief.

Pattern #28, Crochet Briefcase. My guess is that this is some sort of schoolbag intended for a child's use, and I am left wondering what is supposed to "stop". Homework assignments? Traffic? Bullying? If the latter, this briefcase seems more likely to invite bullying than to prevent it.

Pattern #29, Crochet Snack Bag. Kids carry lunchboxes to school with all their food in it. I can't imagine too many kids would want to be bothered with an additional snack bag. It's my understanding that the French simply do not snack at all, so perhaps the editorial staff of le Wooling got the idea that snacking is some sort of special rite in English-speaking countries that requires special paraphernalia.

Pattern #30, Crochet Booties. These look rough.

Pattern #31, Crochet Pencil Case. This isn't so bad as some of the previous patterns. A plain pencil case with the child's name on it is a pretty useful item. However, I think I could find much more attractive ways to put a name on a pencil case.