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.