Noro Magazine Issue 8: A Review

Noro Magazine has released its eighth issue. Let's have a look at it, shall we?

Pattern #1, Long Line Poncho. This isn't bad. It's a little Golden Girls, but then that isn't such a bad thing. The lines are good, the stitchwork is attractive, and the yarn is beautiful.

Pattern #2, Blanket Poncho. This is much more blanket than it is poncho.

Pattern #3, Openwork Poncho. I can't even dignify this one by claiming it would look better as a throw. This is a piece so aggressively unattractive that I'd be afraid that, even in an afghan incarnation, it would make my couch break out in hives.

Pattern #4, Mosaic Shawl. Lovely. The mosaic stitch showcases the yarn beautifully.

Pattern #5, L-Shaped Shawl. This is very "home ec project made the night before the due date".

Pattern #6, Lace-Edged Shawl. Beautiful. Both shaping and lacework are lovely.

Pattern #7, Crescent Shawl. Very pretty. Love the seashell colours.

Pattern #8, Ruffle Shawl. Not bad. The texture is interesting, and it's a nicely finished piece.

Pattern #9, Bandanna Cowl. This is quite attractive, and it sits well. Those long fringes would drive me crazy, but it would be easy to make them shorter, or to put some other sort of edging on this piece.

Pattern #10, Hybrid Triangular Shawl. Classic shawl.

Pattern #11, Openwork Cardigan. This is too full and floppy to be flattering on most women.

Pattern #12, Waterfall Cardigan. This needs more shaping, though the yarn used here is beyond gorgeous.

Pattern #13, Convertible Cardigan. I want to be able to approve of this one, because it does have an interesting construction, but it isn't flattering.

Pattern #14, Batwing-Sleeved Top. This one needs more body and less sleeve, or perhaps to rethink its life goals entirely and become a scarf.

Pattern #15, Cropped Shell. This is rather nice, but I'd be making it a standard length. The cropped length is a challenge to wear.

Pattern #16, Openwork Top. Not bad, but I would neaten up the shape a little.

Pattern #17, Leaf-Lace Shrug. Very pretty and useful little piece for summer dresses.

Pattern #18, Cropped Cardigan. Another nice little number for summer.

Pattern #19, Felted Entrelac Bag. This one's a little too crude and boho for my liking.

Pattern #20, Faeroese-Style Shawl. I like the combination of a traditional style with the contemporary, bright, eye-catching stripes.

Pattern #21, Infinity Scarf. Simple stitchwork with a beautiful play of colour.

Pattern #22, Mitered Throw. Fabulous. The mitered stitchwork and the yarn work together beautifully.

Pattern #23, Shell-and-Mesh Squares Cardigan. This is an impressive work in its own way, but also more than a little doily-esque for my liking.

Pattern #24, Shawl-Collared Cardigan. This is definitely too far into doily territory.

Pattern #25, Openwork Pullover. This is so far into doily land, it's in "Granny's centrepiece" territory. I want to put a basket of plastic fruit on it.

Pattern #26, V-Neck Shell. This could do with some better shaping.





Pattern #27, Goldfish; Pattern #28, Seahorse; and Pattern #29, Sea Star. These are very pretty and well-designed. What I'm wondering is what, if anything, they'll be used for, as I'm not one to make things that just sit around and collect dust. I suppose that, if they're large enough, they could be used as loofahs.

Pom Pom Quarterly Summer 2016: A Review

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

Altair shawl. Pretty basic crocheted shawl.

Catchfly top. A wearable and flattering classic.

Olivette top & tunic. The asymmetry in this one is interesting, and the shaping is good.

Nouri sweater. This one has a certain relaxed elegance. I like the side detail, and it drapes beautifully.

Trailbreeze tank. The back shaping on this piece is much too mudflappy for my liking.

Tannery Falls tank. This one looks like its designer started out to make a potholder and just kept going.

Red Bull Isle tank. If I saw this one someone out in public, I would be trying to decide whether the top was designed this way or whether it was caught on itself.

Vaara top. The eyelet effect at the shoulders and detailing at the waist elevates this one above the usual basic tee.

Windlass top. I love the Aran detailing on this one, but I would nix the side vents and back mullet hem.

Thornett tank. This one has a lot going for it, but the way it bags and sags in the middle is so unfortunate. It's probably nothing some shaping and proper sizing wouldn't fix, and I do like the shaping of the straps and the side detail.

Hollis bag. This is a nice looking summer bag that has the simple, slightly rustic effect of a straw bag without straw's roughness and tendency to break and snag other items. I'd line it with a pretty fabric, and possibly also interfacing, to help it keep its shape. One can also sew pockets into a fabric lining.

Interweave Knits Summer 2016: A Review

Interweave Knits has released its Summer 2016 issue. Let's have a look at it.

Cruz Shawl. This is a lovely piece of lacework that I am trying very hard not to associate with a certain former American presidential hopeful.

Catalina Shawl. Gorgeous.





Ventura Tank. Well shaped, nicely detailed, and I love the back.

Anacapa wrap. Beautiful.

Venice Top. The yoke is a nice piece of design, but the bottom is so shapeless and frumpy even on this model, and I don't know what's going on at the centre point of the bottom of the yoke, but whatever it is, it looks like a hole and a mistake.

Rosa Wrap. Another attractive shawl.

Clemente Tank. This is rather fetching and stylish in a contemporary sort of way. I wouldn't want to wear anything with this sort of loose front panel as it adds bulk and I don't need my front bulked up to a greater extent than nature has already done, but it could look quite good on a smaller-breasted woman, and I love the back.

Kingston Tank. Not bad. The lace side panels are a nice touch. I'd consider making this a little longer so that it could be worn as a beach coverup.

Pierpoint Shawl. Lovely. This is definitely an issue for lace shawl lovers.

Rimrock Vest. Useful and rather handsome little piece.

Two Tree Cardigan. The stitchwork is attractive and the shaping isn't bad overall, but I do wish those open fronts sat a little bit better.

Crossroads Carryall. This is a nice-looking classic bag -- it's like a knitted equivalent to the iconic Land's End tote. It's lined, which will make it reasonably sturdy.

Rivers Blanket. This is quite attractive and cleverly designed. The designer has gone with a Hudson's Bay blanket-inspired colourway, which does look nice, but I'm imagining it in a lot of other palettes as well.

Timbers Sweater. Classic shawl-collared men's sweater.

Harding Cardigan. Quite like this one. It sits so well, and it has a certain relaxed elegance to it.

Trail Henley. This is a comfortable and nice-looking piece.

Pinewood Pullover. Good shaping (I do love a ballet neckline), and the stitchwork is attractive.

Pathway Tee. Nice shaping, and the lacy back gives it all the interest it needs.

Santa Fe Belt. This is a little boho for me in style, but there's no denying that this belt is well and carefully designed.

As a bonus, Interweave Knits offers sewing patterns for these two sewn items, the Chief Joseph Skirt and the Whisperwool Clutch. I'm not thrilled with either pattern, as the skirt doesn't have particularly good lines and the clutch looks like something slapped together, but if you find them appealing, there are patterns available at the links provided.