Knitty Winter 2009 Review

Knitty Review

Ah- Winter Knitty has come out, meaning another review post. Sadly, there is no mind blowing technique like the bind off from the last issue, but there are some beautiful knits.

Let us begin:

Home use patterns:

Mr. Popper: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter09/PATTmrpopper.php This pattern makes me want to get a hot water bottle. Actually, a few patterns have. If it was just a penguin, it would be cute, but since it references one of my all time favorite books, I love it!

Tops:

Spoke: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter09/PATTspoke.php This is my favorite pattern on the issue (and the cover pattern), but on further inspection, I wouldn’t make it. First, the yarn MAKES the pattern. There might be other semi-solids that would work, but it would be a gamble. And the yarn chosen is EXPENSIVE. Second- the sleeves would not work for me. Do people really wear that sort of sleeve? Do they drag it through their food anytime they try to eat? Maybe that’s how they stay skinny, trying to protect the sweater.

Quadrat: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter09/PATTquadrat.php My second favorite pattern of the issue, but with similar problems to the first. First of all- the model looks gorgeous. I however would laugh myself silly at me wearing a belt like that, and without the belt it’s way too boxy. And the sleeves. Seriously? I do not get them. I just love the cable detail though.

Soria: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter09/PATTsoria.php Pretty enough, but I don’t wear vests. I also think it needs to be a bit longer to be flattering.

Four corners in Tokyo: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter09/PATTfourcorners.php An interesting way to highlight the color changes of the yarn, but the rectangular pattern looks much better on the back than the front. I’d like the sleeves to be a bit longer, but points for not being huge bell sleeves.

Zora Cardigan: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter09/PATTzora.php Nice versatile cardigan, but not something I’d knit. I like that it’s shown with a button or a belt. Not sure it looks good with no form of closure at all. (It’s one thing not to close it, but having no way to close it: odd)

King of Confidence: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter09/KSPATTconfidence.php Cute, seems nicely fitted.

Mr. Darcy: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter09/PATTmrdarcy.php I like the sweater fine, but I have never seen anyone wearing that neckline. Kevin never would, that’s for sure. Actually, I take that back- I’ve seen pictures on blogs of kids in handknits in that neckline. But outside of handknits, does it exist?

Vroom Vest: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter09/PATTvroom.php Is the kid in the picture really 4? At first I thought this was shown on like an 8-10 year old, in which case it was a bit childish, but for a young kid, sure it’s cute.

Socks:

Pyroclastic Socks: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter09/PATTpyroclastic.php Nice pattern, nothing outstanding, but certainly nothing to complain about here.

Saviano Socks: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter09/PATTsaviano.php Seems to be run of the mill cabled socks.

Diversion socks: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter09/KSPATTdiversion.php Cute, very bright, I like that. Reminded me of Lizard Ridge socks, but on second look, very different.

Synergy Shield and Socks: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter09/PATTsynergy.php Sorry to speak ill of a “goddess” but I do not get this at all. Why do you need a shield for your socks? Does anyone wear such a thing? Seriously, what is the point? Knitty has published weird patterns (like the nose warmer) but at least those seem to have some novelty aspect. What is the novelty to a sock shield? Does it warm up the front of your ankles a bit more? Then there is the issue that the sock highlighted in all the pictures IS NOT the sock that there is a pattern for. That sock is available only in Cat’s new book. The sock pattern given is a cuff down, plain sock. (You can fancy it up by tying a shield around it, I guess). BOO KNITTY. Don’t highlight a pattern for the sole purpose of advertising.

Hats and Neckwear (I had to combine these for a reason):

Incognito Cowl: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter09/PATTincognito.php Clever, funny, not my thing.

Burning Embers: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter09/KSPATTburningembers.php First, the woman’s shirt makes me think she isn’t wearing anything under the jacket. Second, the pattern is pretty. I like how it unbuttons when you don’t wan the turtleneck feel.

Tentacular scarf: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter09/PATTtentacular.php AHH! Scary, yuck. This is one of those novelty patterns I was referring to in the synergy shield part. I really don’t like it, but it’s a scarf and it serves a purpose, and it’s novelty is because it’s based on an actual thing. (A sock shield is not a thing).

Knotty but nice hat: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter09/PATTknotty.php Nice cabled hat pattern

Shroom Slouchy Toque: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter09/PATTshroom.php it’s like a combination of a beret and a beanie. It looks cute in the photos, but I don’t think it would on my head.

Duet: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter09/PATTduet.php A hat and a cowl. Hmm, I’m not sure I understand how it works, but it’s really pretty. Maybe I’ll give this one a try. Maybe.

Handwear:

Ailbe: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter09/PATTailbe.php Very pretty cabled mittens. Looks tough!

Mrs. Roosevelt: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter09/FEATwin09SIT.php Simple knitting pattern for mittens, interesting bit of history. Very cool- like the Hoover Blanket featured early by knitty.

Queen City: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter09/PATTqueencity.php The cable doesn’t pop enough. I guess even if it did, it’s not something I personally would wear.

Shawls:

Frost Diamonds: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter09/PATTfrostdiamonds.php Very pretty, interesting construction. Thumbs up.

Bitterroot: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter09/KSPATTbitterroot.php Very pretty, I like that there are two sizes, since the mini-shawl seems very popular right now.

Citron Shawl: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter09/PATTcitron.php It’s cute on the model and would look silly on me.

Knitty Summer 2009

Second post of the day- make sure to scroll down to the 1st post to see the new sock, and to the post before that for a crafty gift!

Overall impression: Great knitty issue. I plan to make Zozo, Clandestine, Hat Heel Sock, Midsummer Night's Dream, and maybe the Riverbanks hood (but probably not).

Zozo: An adorable little alien toy. I actually might give this a try. It’s so cute.

1 Across: Nothing special here, I didn’t get that it was supposed to be a crossword puzzle, and I don’t like the bubbley look of the white at the top from the decreases. However this woman apparently WRITES puzzle books. She must be a genius.

Rennaissance: Not my favorite. The oversized sleeves are impractical, IMO. It does look nice on the model though, which is not always easy for knitwear on larger sized people. I think it is a good inclusion for the magazine.

Ruby Red: This one is getting a lot of internet buzz. I loved it in the first photo, but the front left me a bit disappointed. I don’t care for gaping buttons. I kind of wished it was a pullover. It’s not something I knit anyway, so it’s kind of moot. I’m a small objects knitter.

Clandestine: I worship Cookie A so I will knit these. They are lovely socks. I truly do like them, but the reception of them makes them sound like they are the most incredible socks the internet has ever seen, and while cookie never has a bad pattern, I don’t think I’d rank this as her best.

Cathedral: Pretty socks, will need to see a few finished projects before I decide on them, I don’t think they’ll go into my queue.

Hat-heel sock: When I first looked at this, I did not like it. But now, I think it’s brilliant in a Cat Bordhi new architecture sort of way. I don’t have heel fitting issues, and don’t think I have round heels, but when I saw other socks posted on the internet (I read the authors blog) and not just the one in the main picture I LOVE the way it looks in self striping yarns (a bulls eye forms) and I LOVE the little ear flap gusset that forms. I’ll definetly try this once.

Midsummer’s night’s dream: My favorite of the issue. I love the leaf pattern on the sock. Will definetly knit these.

Margot: A good basic. These sleeves are also loose, but because of the length they seem to work. I’m not feeling the holes in the arm join/shaping, not sure if that’s a knitting thing or a design thing. I’ll need to see pictures of this on a smaller size before I decide if it will work for me.

Kindly Sheep: Mittens or fingerless mitts. Very pretty pattern on the cuff. Wait- the mitten appears to just be a mitten top that goes OVER the fingerless mitts. That’s kind of weird.

Mi escuelita- Very pretty girls sweater with a lovely braid detail. I’m not sure I like how it fits the model, it rises up in the front, and I think that is from the working of the button band. But otherwise this is gorgeous.

Kernel: Scarf is basic lace pattern with a separate edging. Also nothing revolutionary but very pretty and good yarn choice. Basically just a stitch dictionary sort of thing but a good way to show how to combine patterns. Also has some beading. I kind of want to try that someday.

Colonnade: My first thought on this was the name is weird. I’m reading it Colon-ade, which I know is not what is says, but all I can think of is a Colon. I bet it’s pronounced more like Colin, because of that double N but who knows. The actual garment; is an interesting shawl pattern, that appears to be made to wear like a scarf. I think it’s a neat idea, but I don’t think I would knit it. I like the color chosen for it, but don’t really care for the two tone look.

Tanis Hat: I think this is reversible which is what makes it cool? Otherwise it just isn’t a stand out at all.

Sweetspot: Apparently either a scarf OR an afghan. I do not see myself knitting either, and while the colors are very pretty I think it is more the yarn than it is the pattern. Nothing revolutionary here.

Hydrangea: Not my style at all.

Indian Summer: Not feeling this one either.

Bel cardigan: The back panel on this is really cool, but as a garment I don’t get it. I’m not sure I’d really call it a cardigan, but I don’t really know what I’d call it. Not my favorite.

Girl Friday: Very pretty cardigan. Looks like a lot of work.

Hola Hoodie: Again with the too long arms. Does no one shape wrists anymore? This is fine but the wrists and hemline make it seem unfinished. I like the cable details but I think it comes off as shapeless and boxy. Maybe it would be better in a different color?

Hex Shawl: Pretty rectangle shawl. I’m confused how she is wearing it in the first picture.

Riverbanks hood: This is the sort of thing that 3 years ago I would have said WTF. However, having lived in really cold winters (Ohio was nothing) for awhile now, I get the need for it. It’s a neat hold that can be worn as a cowl. I might try this one.

It is surprisingly stretchy!

The new knitty is out, and before I do my traditional critique, first I'm going to say something about one of the articles.

Toe-up sock knitters, get thee to Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off The JSSBO is awesome. I finished my first Dead Simple Lace Sock and used it and it is almost as stretchy as the cast on I have for my mockery socks- It's so stretchy that it fits across the thickest part of my calf with no problem at all. And it is SUPER easy. How come no one thought of this before. I don't know Jeny- but thank you thank you!

Here is the Rainbow Sock. Remember the yarn? I loved every inch of the yarn, and I love it just as much in a sock. It's a bit more wild than most of my socks (since I tend to do pattern, not color) but man I cannot wait to wear these (still need to make another). It's a bit loose, though at a tighter gauge then suggested, but the pattern has no pull in. I don't think it will sag too much though, so it is totally wearable. I'm not sold on toe up socks (it's so easy to want to quit early...) but Wendy's heel instructions were super easy to follow and produced a great heel. I will try to do a few more and see if I become a toe up girl. You'll notice on the blocker the cuff is stretched out a bit- that's because the bind off is so elastic, but it doesn't pull back in all the way. As long as it pulls back a bit, I'm good with it. Fit on me is more important than fit on a blocker. Also, the idea was to put the pictures in a row, but blogger is not cooperating.