Vogue Knitting Winter 2019/2020: A Review

Vogue Knitting has released its Winter 2019/2020 issue! Let's have a look at it, shall we?

Pattern #1, Swathe. A very nice textured wrap. It amuses me that the styling is so very 1986 -- though if this were actually 1986, the model's sweater and hair would have been big enough for three women.

Pattern #2, Java. That is... a lot of hat. But I have no quibbles with the design of the hat other than that, so it may be the perfect thing for someone who likes to go big or go bareheaded.

Pattern #3, Warp/Weft. A simple, useful, bulky cowl in bamboo stitch.

Pattern #4, Scalene. Bulky, drapey ponchos are not my bag (see what I did there?) at all, but I must admit this is well done for what it is, even if I can't help think wistfully how much better it would look on a couch. I love the colour scheme and the rhythmic triangle pattern.

Pattern #5, Klein Reversible Wrap. Basic but useable.

Pattern #6, The Sophisticate. This reminds me of long, open-front cardigan my mother used to wear around the house back in the early eighties: it also had handy pockets, and 3/4 length sleeves that wouldn't get into the food whenever my mother was working in the kitchen. This is quite a wearable, practical item that can be styled in a variety of ways, though I will say I can't help wincing a little at the absurdly short sleeves. I would raise the dropped shoulders a little.

Pattern #7, The Grandfather. This one's a bit too utilitarian for me -- it reminds me of a Mao jacket. I think maybe this design is one that calls for an interesting and/or especially beautiful yarn, as it needs a little oomph.

Pattern #8, The Multitasker. I'd fix the dropped shoulders, and I think there are better colourway choices for this pattern, but otherwise this design is quite wearable, and could be a good stash buster.

Pattern #9, The Gradient. I'd raise the dropped shoulder and neaten up the fit a little on this one, but otherwise it's a polished, contemporary, appealing piece.

Pattern #10, Folkloric Sweater. Well, this is something different. I like it -- it's not only very eyecatching, but keeps me staring at it, checking out all the details.

Pattern #11, Tendril. Lovely, and the cable pattern is fantastic.

Pattern #12, Echo. A classic lace wrap.

Pattern #13, Arbor. Another wonderful little cabled capelet. I mean, just feast your eyes on that intricate cable pattern.

Pattern #14, Nouveau. The Ravelry page notes for this design compares it to Scottish designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s famous florals. I don't disagree, and it is certainly a beautiful piece, but it would have me terrified that it was going to catch on everything.

Pattern #15, Corolla. This is a lovely little jacket, though I would fix those dropped shoulders.

Pattern #16, Herald. A very attractive pullover. Despite this being a winter issue, Vogue Knitting does seem to be looking towards spring with some of their designs.

Pattern #17, Topiary. What a sweet little cardi.

Pattern #18, The Cable Guy. This is a "from the archives" pattern, which Vogue Knitting first published in 1962, reprinted in 1985, and is running again in this issue. Despite all the sweeping changes in fashion since 1962, I don't suppose there's been a year since it was originally published in which it would have looked dated. Such is the staying power of a classic cabled pullover.

Knitty Winter 2019: A Review

Today we're going to have a slightly belated look at Knitty's Winter 2019 issue.

Lemon Zest. Very basic, but like a lot of basic things it's very useful and wearable. This would also be a good first sweater project for a beginning knitter.

Breckle. This is a simple little piece, but the stitchwork and the contrasting shades play together so well.

Big Flower. As soon as I looked at the photo of this design, I thought to myself that it looked just like a Kaffe Fassett design, and lo and behold, it is one. Fassett's work has such a distinct look I'd know it anywhere. The kimono-like shape and Japanese-style floral design complement each other.

#hashtagcowl. #Cuteconcept.

Open Road. This one is inventive and contemporary. I like the stitchwork, the side cable detail, the sleek effect of the shoulders and neckline, and I can see this piece working styled a number of different ways.

Pic N Mix. What a beautiful play of colour and fair isle pattern. This one would be a great stash buster.

Marisha. Nice texture, and the JUL closure is a great added touch and makes it possible for the wearer to style this scarf in several different ways.

Switch Way. The mix of colour and stitchwork in this shawl is fun, visually interesting, and surprisingly polished.

Quorra. Not a bad design, though I would fix the dropped shoulders. And while I don't like the combination of hot pink, aqua, and white because it's too eighties, the designer describes them as "fantastic 80s-riffic colors", and apparently designed the sweater to suit the yarn, so your mileage may vary.

7am. These legwarmers have such a stumpy look and would work better at a longer length.

Chain, Chain, Chain. Wow, this one is fantastic. Love both the yarn and the design, and together they positively sing.

Fogski. These have a clumsy, cobbled-together look, and -- though the pattern is only sized for adult small, medium, and large -- don't come across as a design that's really appropriate for an adult.

Curio. Very pleasant little cardi.

Dogwerry. What a sophisticated and satisfying combination of stripes and diamonds.

Shadowed. This is a rather nice-looking cap, even if my brain keeps trying to play a mental version of Pac-Man with it. I would definitely not knit this one in black and royal blue.

Bacta. These would make me feel like my hands were bandaged.

Interweave Knits Winter 2020: A Review

Today we're going to have a look at some knits for this brand new year in the Interweave Knits Winter 2020 issue.

North Country Ruana. This hangs well, has very nice texture, and that yarn looks especially luscious.

Polychrome Cardigan. The design isn't bad, but there are better colourways for it than this, and I'd make the cardigan a standard size for the wearer.

Pipette Hat. This is a cute cap, and it would fun to pick out a colour scheme for it.

Grapevine Wrap. A very attractive and wearable wrap.

Global Finger Mitts. This pattern was named as it was because it combines "a Nepalese hemmed cuff and thumbs, a Newfoundland separated index finger, and a Scandinavian stranded-flower pattern". I'm not sure I would like mitts with the Newfoundland separated index finger, as it seems it would make my hands look unsettlingly like cloven hooves, but I'm sure they're very practical when you're hauling your catch into your boat in sub-zero weather.

Mulberry Slouch. Love the texture and shape of this one.

Rossore Pullover. I rather like the design, but this muddled colourway is doing nothing for it.

Winding Path Cowl. An eye-catching mosaic piece.





Lace Pleat Cardigan. I'm not sure the lace insert on the back of this otherwise polished cardigan is working for me. I get the disturbing feeling I'm looking at either a wardrobe malfunction, or a portal into another dimension, where I will probably fall immediately afoul of the supreme leader of the domain, Lord Ziqtyzias.

Marbled Brioche Scarf. Very handsome!

Eastport Pullover. Colour blocking doesn't always work, but it does here. This is quite sharp, and I like the slightly offbeat colourway.

Daybreak Beanie. Cute little cap.

Ribboned Crop Top. This is a smart-looking piece. Crop tops can be a difficult shape to wear, but this is a design it wouldn't be hard to lengthen.

Brilliant Cables Hooded Sweater. Very much like this one, which has both polish and style.