Knitty Spring & Summer 2015: A Review

Knitty has released their 15th issue. Let's have a look at it, shall we?

The Hybrid Vigour. The designer of this piece came up with it as a way to answer her frustration with the fiddly, slippy nature of shawls: the shawl is connected at the ends, creating an item that is part shawl and part poncho. I hear you on the frustrating nature of shawls, sister, and I like this item. The lace is pretty and the piece hangs attractively.

Peppermint Bay Shawl. The lacework and the construction of this piece is impressive, but it does look more like a throw than a shawl to me.

Lawton Wrap. Another very pretty piece of lacework. A shawl pin makes it possible to don this oblong item with some style.

Nahant stole. The designer of this item tried fractal spinning and then designed this scarf as a way to use up the gorgeous result. Lovely piece, but good luck finding yarn this special in any store!

Crane Hill Tank. This piece combines crochet and knitting to good effect. The shaping is decent and the result is a simple, pretty, wearable top.

Myliu Lino Pullover. Not so taken with this one. The lace work is pretty and the yarn used here is lovely, but it doesn't sit all that well and isn't terribly flattering.

Mia Tank. Not bad. It has some interesting detailing and decent shaping. I think I'd make this to sit a few inches shorter on the wearer and in a more interesting yarn choice.

French Smock Sweater. This looks like a baby blanket with straps attached.

Lorinda sweater. This is a pleasant-looking cardigan, but I would run the buttons and buttonholes all the way down the front.

Geek socks. Cute socks. The slipped stitch technique has been used to give what would otherwise be plain stripes a more interesting vibe.

Evangelina sock. The ribbon drawstring on these pushes these into "too twee for me" territory, but the stitchwork is interesting and appealing.

Stars and Stares eye pillow. This pillow is designed to be filled with rice, buckwheat, or flax seeds, mixed with lavender, herbal tea, or mint, etc., and heated or cooled to be used not only on the face but on any tired or aching muscles elsewhere. The designer has come up with a few designs for the eye pillows, but if you've ever wanted to find a way to terrify your small children into not disturbing you when you're trying to take a nap, this one would your best route to doing that.

Victorian Mash-Up Hat. For this creation, Franklin Habit tried out knitting a couple of squares from a Victorian-era counterpane pattern, stitched them together, and topped them with Victorian-style knitted fringe. I don't think I'd actually put this on a baby. It looks like one of those novelty hats rabid sports fans wear at sports arenas, along with chest paint and giant foam fingers, in an effort to get on the Jumbotron. Since this child is too young to be a fan of anything except perhaps milk and cuddles, putting such a hat on this baby makes it look like a very small mascot for Team Yarn.