Pom Pom Quarterly Autumn 2019: A Review

Pom Pom Quarterly has released its Autumn 2019 issue. Let's have a look at it, shall we?

Fata Morgana. Nice classic piece. I like the combination of ripples and lace. The shaping is maybe a little on the boxy side, but that's easily remedied.

Seelig. Fabulous contemporary-style wrap. This one would work well sized up to afghan size too.

Astragal. Some lovely detailing on the yoke, hem and cuffs of this one. It's not a particularly flattering shape -- even on this professional model -- but again, shaping is an easy fix on a standard design sweater like this one.

Aphotic. A very handsome piece. Quite like the texture and fair isle yoke.

Eventide. This one is a little too doily-esque for me, and the shape isn't flattering.

Isobue. This wouldn't normally be my type of design (asymmetry usually makes me twitchy), but I think it works. It's both visually interesting and pleasing to look at, and I like the soft yet sophisticated palette. Do make sure your version fits the intended wearer, though. Gaping button bands are never a good look.

Timbre. A nice cap with some subtle stitchwork. This is a mohair silk blend yarn, and the photo all but gives me the feeling of how soft it is.

Trove. Not bad. I think I'd go with a more lively colourway, and fix those dropped shoulders.

Columella. Classic cabled wrap.

Piecework Fall 2019: A Review

Piecework has released their Fall 2019 issue. Let's have a look at it, shall we?

Brocade Vestment. This originally appeared in Interweave's Unofficial Downton Abbey Knits issue, which I reviewed here. I agree with my 2013 review of this item. This is a beautiful piece of work, but isn't all that well-styled. I'd either reshape this vestment so that it could be worn on its own, or make a special dress to wear with it.

Half-Day Off Mitts. These also appeared in the Downton Abbey issue, and I called them nice and wearable. The me of today agrees with 2013 me.

Lace-Leaf Pocket Cardigan. This design is from the second Downton Abbey issue, which was published in 2014. When I reviewed it, I said this cardigan had pretty detailing but looked too small on the wearer.

Magpie Gloves to Knit. These are attractive in a smart way. If I were making these, I'd be inclined to whip up a matching hat or scarf.

Swedish Nostalgia Shawl to Knit. I like the sampler feel of this one.

Valentina's Shawl to Knit. This one is delightfully quaint as well as a fine piece of lacework.

Weldon’s French Trellis Shawl to Knit. Another lovely lace shawl.

Knit Simple Fall 2019: A Review

Knit Simple has released their Fall 2019 issue. Let's have a look at it, shall we? There is a Ravelry page for this issue, but as of this writing it only has two pattern pages, which I've added to the post.

This one's quite attractive and wearable. That is a nicely shaped neckline, and though there is a slight dropped shoulder I think it's fine for this design.





This one combines a 1960s-ish style with a contemporary colourblock concept, and the effect is fun, though there are more interesting colour combinations for this style than the one used here.

A really lovely cap and cowl set.

This one looks less like a shawl than it does an upcycled curtain. I'd have added a little more shaping.

This scarf looks like a beginner project -- like something someone with a modicum of knitting skill could make without a pattern. Actual patterns should offer knitters something more than that.

Very much like this one. It's simple, yet so wearable, and that neckline detail gives the piece such a polished look.

Cute, though I'm not quite satisfied with the rendering of the hippos. The circles look a little random and odd.

Also cute. I do like the combination of the hippos, the stripes, and the grass effect.

Not a bad little jacket. This design makes me think of Elizabeth Zimmerman's iconic Tomten jacket.

Simple and usable little booties.

Nice little baby sacque. I think I'd go with more interesting buttons on this one, as it needs a little something.

A very decent striped baby blanket. This would be a good scrap yarn project.

I would go with fun colours for these textured hats.

The design isn't bad but I'm finding the red and brown "brick wall" colourway used here a little too literal and not that pleasing.

Nice texture. I do like a faux fur bobble on a handknit hat.

A pleasing, simply textured hat.

A very decent hat and cowl set.

These are very smart.

Pattern #20, Wide Plaid Pillows. Very eye catching!

A nice tartan effect.

Really like this gingham-look afghan.

Pattern #23, Fingerless Mitts. Basic but serviceable enough.

I like the design of this set well enough, but the colours are making my retinas ache.

Simple crocheted stole.

This is an inoffensive little wrap, but that's one weirdly haphazard way to style it.

I think this one might make me feel as though I had two overextended dishcloths wound around my neck.

A rather cute set. The gray, hot pink, and orange colourway at least works better in this design than it did in the set four designs above.

Interweave Knits Fall 2019: A Review

Interweave Knits has released its Fall 2019 issue. Let's have a look at it, shall we?

Firefall Toque. I like the modern twist on the cabled devices on this hat.

Frost Mitts. Nice looking mitts. Though I must admit I'm looking past them to that extremely photogenic firewood the model is carrying. I carried plenty of firewoood growing up as a farm kid, and our firewood never looked anything like... that. I'm flashing back to the splinters and scrapes I used to get from that extremely rough-hewn, non-uniform length wood as I write this.

Balefire Mittens. Classic mittens with some texture and a variegated yarn to liven things up.

Spiced Cider Beanie. Classic ribbed cap.

Reaper Cowl. A handsome cowl. I like the horizontal pattern in it.

Quiet Nights Cowl. I quite like the pretty brick-like look of this one.

Sweet Dreams Pullover. A decent design, though I might add a bit of waist shaping and stitch up those open hems. I do have a bit of a thing for a detailed cuff.

Värma Pullover. A spare yet finished look. A bit of waist-shaping would be helpful here as well.

Page Turner Blanket. Such a polished, contemporary throw.

Kväll Cardigan. I like the sporty, retro vibe of this one, but I would neaten up the fit.





Orchard Cardigan. I like the shoulder detail, but not that back, which hangs so poorly.

Autumn Rain Shawl. A nice lace wrap.

Granny Smith Pullover. Very attractive and wearable, and the fresh, crisp colour scheme is perfect for both the design, and its name.

Caramel Apple Pullover. Classic cabled pullover.

Winding Roads Shawl. There is some beautiful stitchwork in this wrap, but that sickly greenish yellow colour is doing nothing for it.





Wine Press Pullover. I love the grape cluster detail on the sleeves, but can't say the same about those unfinished cuffs, which will get into everything the wearer does, and the side details aren't adding anything. Another thing to be aware of when making this design is that's made from light fingering weight yarn and is consequently semi-sheer (the model's bra can quite plainly be seen in both front and back views) and that this is therefore a piece that will need to be worn with an underlayer.

Fredag Socks. Classic two-tone cabled socks.