Pom Pom Quarterly Autumn 2017: A Review

Pom Pom Quarterly has released its Autumn 2017 issue. Let's have a look at it, shall we?

Aubusson. I'm liking this one. The colour block effect is enhanced by making both colours part of each block, and the scarf is reversible, which is always advisable in a scarf.

Barbicel. That stranded pattern on the front pieces is really sharp. I'm not so thrilled with the shape of the cardigan, but that might be because these long, narrow cardigans look best on someone tall (the model is 5'8") and are hard for a shorter woman to carry off. However, if the sweater you're making is intended for a shorter wearer, it can always be shortened.

Calamus. Love this one. That colourwork is so smart and eye-catching.

Diesis. Hoo boy. I get where the designer was going with this, and it is kind of a fun, offbeat look, but it's also so unflattering and discordant to look at it that even though I know diesis is a musical term for an accidental or a mini interlude, I can't help feel as though this is a coded design you'd make for your sister if you didn't wish her well. That's how my sister would take it, anyway.

Elibelinde. I like this one, but I could do without the little protruding horn effect in the front yoke just above the stitchwork panel. It doesn't add anything but grounds to wonder if the wearer is smuggling an errant miniature reindeer in her bra.

Herati. I'm liking the unusual diamond tartan pattern in these mittens.

Overcheck. Love this cowl too. That's a bold and fun large scale check pattern.

Palmetto. Such a cute cardi. The striped contrast bands on this are fun, and the shaping is good.

Soumak. These are fetching, and as a bonus would be ideal to wear when one is a volunteer answering phones at the Red Cross.

Pom Pom Quarterly Summer 2017: A Review

Today we're going to have a look at the Summer 2017 issue of Pom Pom Quarterly.

Sevilla. A lovely stole. The lacework is beautiful.

Bash. Cute cap. The combination of chevrons and three colours (two similar and one accent) work really well together.

Soiree. The side cables and other stitchwork in this pullover are attractive, but the baggy, boxy shape of it isn't.

Shindig. Nice little wrap. I'm liking the combination of the stripes and lace and the green and cream colourway, which give it a fun, summery feel.

Boum. This is a rather smart little striped top. I like that the designer went the extra step of adding a line of colour to the neckline. However, this piece did deserve better than to be paired with a pair of droopy-bottomed track pants.

Bon Bon. These mitts are nicely worked out -- the twisted rib both works nicely with the cables on the back and will also give the mitts a useful elasticity -- but that pom pom on the back would drive me a bit nuts. Of course, it's easily left off.

Festoon. These socks are so handsome and classic I could almost believe they co-starred with Leslie Howard in some 1930s movie.

Anniversaire. An attractive and very wearable piece that will give its wearer years of good service.

Ceilidh. Another piece with some attractive stitchwork but unflattering shaping.

Hoopla. A fun cap.

Jamboree. Oh dear. This crocheted pullover might have worked if it were done in attractive colours and the fit was neatened up a bit, but as it is it has too much working against it.

Sparklers. Another nice cap, and as a bonus it's reversible.

Knees Up. I'm rather taken by the concept of a high-contrast sock stockinette foot and ribbed leg, but the slouchy fit on the ankle isn't doing it for me. I did my time in the slouchy sock department back in the eighties and don't care to repeat the experience.

Rave. An attractive wrap. I like the garter and cable combination.

Zazie. Nice work! The zig zag pattern has a tendency to look either too afghan-y or too Charlie Brown, but this designer has very cleverly set the look at a remove from these associations by adding an interesting blending effect to the zig zag.

Fête. Good shaping and an interesting neckline.

Pom Pom Quarterly 5th Anniversary Re-Release: A Review

For its 5th anniversary, Pom Pom Quarterly has re-released its Summer 2012 issue. This blog was up and running then, but since I didn't realize Pom Pom Quarterly existed until late 2013 (sigh), I only began reviewing it then. Let's have a belated look at the premiere issue of Pom Pom Quarterly.

Kipper socks. Not bad. I do tend to like a textured rather than a multi-colour sock pattern, as I am not a crazy socks person.

Netherton cardigan. I'm also not a cropped/mini cardigan person, but this isn't a bad example of the kind.

Netherton jumper. A pullover version of the previous design. It's a decent piece for women who like the style.

Overbury mitts. Well-shaped convertible mitts. The button's a good idea because it will keep the top of the mitt from flapping about when it's not over the fingers.

Skipworth mitts. Garter stitch... no detailing... they do seem to fit well, but I don't think the designer put enough effort into this design.

Wick Lane. A beautiful little lace shawl.

Pom Pom Quarterly Spring 2017: A Review

Pom Pom Quarterly has released their Spring 2017 issue. Let's have a look at it, shall we?

Hanabira. Not a bad little crocheted cardi. Another colour scheme would do more for it.

Izumi. Love the leafy lace detailing on this one.

Arrosa. What a lovely shawl. The proportion of lace to plain knit is perfect: it has enough lacework to make it look delicately pretty, and yet not so much that it'll be constantly catching on everything.

Tinea. Like the cable detail and the colour scheme, but I'm not thrilled with the way this one sits.

Astera. What a perfect bag. It could go nearly anywhere, from the beach to the office.

Bombus. I like the bubble stitch in this one, but not the shaping, which has a frumpy look.

Odonata. Quite like this relaxed tunic.

Signal. I don't think I could wear this one without feeling like I should also be wearing oversized shoes and a big red nose.

Melli. This is quite pretty in its way, but cropped and boxy with dropped shoulders is a very difficult shape for most women to carry off.

Sun Rays Quilt. A lovely little piece of work.

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.