Winter Magazine Roundup

Oh goody. Another episode of THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY. I've gotten so many knitting books and magazines since Christmas (thanks, Salwa--call me, I've lost your number!), that I thought I'd take one post and just do a round up of all the mags for Winter 2010-2011. Then each book will most likely get a post of its own later. Plus, I also have January socks that are finished!!! SO excited about them too. I can't believe I really pulled it off. For February, I've already decided to just focus on finishing up two single socks that I have left from other pairs, rather than start some new socks. That will knock out 3 in progress pairs (because I only have the foot left on the third WIP, so I'll just finish that up first...), and give me a clean slate for March, when it's Back to the Bag! Plus, I need to whip Spanky up a hat, which won't take very long. She wants a plain, black, stockinette hat. A couple hours work, tops.

Anyway, let's start with two strong contenders for the best in show this season, which I picked up at the Books a Million at the Lake Square Mall (incidentally, I find that Books a Million has a great magazine selection most of the time...I really enjoy shopping there more than any other big box book store, but they don't have them up here. Also, that and the Target are pretty much the only reasons to go to the mall anymore...Sad. I can remember that mall being brand new in the 80s, and all the teens in the county just hanging out and driving around the parking lot every Friday and Saturday nights. Is the age of the mall as a destination at an end? The internet really is killing everything, isn't it?)

1. Knitting Today!: Ok, this was a new magazine to me. I already loved Crochet Today!, its sister magazine, and I had no idea this one was in the works, but I was desperate for some reading material for the plane, so I was happy to see this on the news stand. And it really is a lot like Crochet Today! Overall, it's very inventive and clever, and a bit gimmicky, as opposed to VK and IK, who take themselves so seriously. KT seems to overtly do their stories on themes, and has a great section in the back for children's patterns. It's cheeky and fresh, and I appreciate that, especially when you can read it alongside its more sober cousins. I think it skews very young, so a lot of accessories, or easy sweaters, as well as a few more adventurous pieces. I liked a lot of the stuff in this magazine:
a. "Sweet Hearts"--loved the pattern for the little knit heart you can put on cards and stuff.
b. "Valley of the Dolls"--this is the section where they take a vintage pattern and rework it to be more modern. In this case, there were two knitted Barbie outfits, and although I don't think the "reworked" patterns were better than the actual vintage outfits, at least these are available. I think my nieces would really appreciate these.
c. "Into the Woods Girl's Cape" This was my favorite piece in the whole magazine. I also like the fair isle slipper boots next to it, but the cape is just awesome. Too bad my niece is too freaking old for this. Maybe I'll inflict one of my co-workers' little girls with this. I just want to make it, it's so cute!



d. "Log Pillows" Basically what they sound like. Two crochet circles on the end of logs made out of what looks like variegated Homespun.
e. "Anastasia Bear" Ooh, this was my second favorite thing. A lot of British knitting magazines seem to have these projects that are continued in subsequent issues, and this is the same thing. The boy bear on the right was given in the premiere issue, and this is the girl bear, Anastasia. From the preview on the magazine's home page, it looks like more outfits are coming too. Love it!


f. "Ali hat" This whole spread is a tribute to the movie "Love Story", which I've never seen, and which I have no desire to watch, but for some reason, I really love this slouchy hat with the pom pom.
g. "Preppy Tie" Ok, I know there are a billion knitted tie patterns, but this one looks really sharp. I think my dad might actually wear it.
h. "Mod Tunic dress" Looks really easy, with three big blocks of color and turned hems. Slimming over some leggings with boots. Probably a really soothing knit, too.
i. "It's Hip to be Square Throw" A big, bright, mitered square throw. I think I just like the color scheme. I'm not in the market to make any more blankets for a really really really long time.
j. "Houndstooth Skirt" Yes, I know, it's a knit pencil skirt, but it's super cute. I just won't wear panties. HA.

Ok, so that's 10 patterns that I liked. Some of the other garments were kind of off, but nothing was really hideous. Like I said though, their strength really lies in the quirkiness and the accessibility of most of these things. I'm thinking of subscribing. I don't think I'll regret it.

2.The other magazine I bought over Christmas to read on the plane was Interweave Knits Weekend Special Issue. I have not been a fan of these special issues, especially since they started pricing the Holiday special issue at $15. If I wanted to spend that much, I'd get a bloody book! But this one is at a normal magazine price, and the patterns turned out to be pretty great. The only other thing I have to add is that it's basically just another issue of IK. The patterns may be very slightly easier, but they're still full-on garments in nice yarn.

a. "Vining Vest" by Cheryl Beckerich. This is the first pattern in the magazine, and it's great. The patterning is very simple, and thanks to my new "nipply" bobble technique, I can't wait to knit this. I love knitted vests, and this one and the next are both things I would wear a LOT.
b. "Berowne Vest" by Lois S. Young. This is supposed to be a guy's vest, but it's just a honeycomb pattern with buttons. I'd totally wear this to work constantly.
c. "Amelia Cardigan" by Silka Burgoyne. I hadn't marked this or the next one when going through here the first couple of times, but this is a pretty, sophisticated little girl's sweater, and I think one of my nieces would really love it.
d. "Mariner Pullover" by Hannah Fettig. I'm finding that I like a lot of Hannah Fettig's designs. This one also was just 'meh' when I went through here previously, but I keep coming back to it, so I think I would actually wear it. I also like that there's a baby version available. I think that could certainly also work for a boy baby.



e. "Chesapeake Pullover" by Kathy Zimmerman. I really love this sweater, and I think I am just into shawl collars right now. Maybe because it is so cold all the damn time, and they seem really cozy. I seriously doubt I would knit it in Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece, but probably in a good wool, to make it cozier. This is also supposedly a guy's sweater, but bollocks on that. Just picturing him with some boobs, and I think it could work on me.
f. In a completely different vein, the girl standing right next to him is wearing the "Prairie Lace Blouse", by Mercedes Tarasovich-Clark, and it is LOVELY. I love the Blue Sky Alpacas Alpaca Silk yarn, and if I had a couple hundred extra dollars, I'd make one. It's so pretty!
g. "Tree Line Cardigan" also by Hannah Fettig, is a great little girl's cardi with mushroomy trees at the bottom.
h. I also like the accompanying "Rockmelon Jumper" by Joan Hughes. I hate those colors, but it is super-cute, and again, I wish I had someone to make it for.



i. OK, this next one is my favorite in the whole issue: "Olivier Pullover" by Coralie Meslin. It is another shawl collared pullover, this time with major cables going on. I'm going to try to find some tweed yarn to make it in. I LOVE IT.

Sigh. There are a couple of other notable things in the issue, but those were my faves. That is 9 awesome patterns. So far, no bad designs or ugly sweaters. Sure, things I wouldn't make, but no WTF? moments.

3. Knitscene, Winter/spring 2011. Traditionally, I'm a big fan of Knitscene. I think they often have better patterns than IK. Easily, especially in IK's current incarnation. This issue is no different. Cute, stylish patterns, a bit simpler and more straight-forward. Just because you know a technique doesn't mean that you have to use it. Too much is sometimes just too much, you know? Anyway...
a. LOVED the whole Debbie O'Neill spread. I love (and plan to eventually knit) all four of the patterns: "Belvedere Cardigan"; "Paperboy Cardigan" (which I'd initially dismissed, but really like on reflection); "Piccadill Pullover (which I'd love to see on someone who actually has a bigger chest than that model. I bet it's actually more flattering than it even is in the magazine.); and "Bas-Relief Socks". I have really tried to stay away from putting sock patterns in this line-up, because most sock patterns are great, and there are just too many of them. I just don't care THAT much about knitting fancy socks. But these are really pretty without being totally out there.



b. One sweater I thought might get lost i this issue, which I really like, is the "Papeline Pullover" by Sarah Fama. It's really simple, and really pretty, and I'd wear it all. the. time. In another color, naturally. I look jaundiced in yellow. But still... A grey would be lovely with that turquoise they've used for the trim.
c. "Chiton Pullover" by Melissa Wehrle. Cute, but I don't know about that tie on the side. I bet it's really comfy though.
d. "Raonnant Pullover" by Romi Hill. I don't know why she bothers putting her nickname in there. Does she want people to call her Rosemary or Romi? For my professional signature, I use Kimberly, but with my authors and friends I go by Kim. It's either one or the other, but I don't sign my name Kimberly (Kim). Just pick one! Anyway, the sweater I'm kind of on the fence about. I don't know if it is that yellow (yet again), or the obvious "knitterli-ness" of the pattern. I usually dislike sweaters like this, but I could really use a few more of these for work.
e. Oh, then comes this whole article about doing colorwork in the round and not steeking it. Very interesting, if a bit obvious (just don't put the colorwork where there is an opening...). And the patterns are super-cute. First, "Kenning Mitts" by Amy Christoffers are awesome. Having just learned how to do fair isle, I think this is something that looks easy enough for me to do without too much trouble.
f. "Mette-Marit Pullover" by Mercedes Tarasovich-Clark is a great little yoked sweater with no sleeves. CUTE! I even like the colors, although I would probably switch out the dark blue for the light blue body, and would certainly make it a little longer. For those of us pushing 40, that short length isn't always the most flattering. SIGH.



g. "Setesdal Love Hat" by Kate Gagnon Osborn. LOVE it. Also, I've been interested in trying the Fibre Company yarns for a while now. I think I could afford enough to make this hat. :) I think the model is rocking the other yoked sweater in this spread, but I think I'd want to rip it off me before too long. It looks pretty constricting and therefore hot.
h. "Bahia Shawl" by Courtney Kelley. Really great shape for an office shawl. I have been wanting to make my friend Tracy a shawl for a while, and this one is substantial enough without being too old-lady looking.
i. "Folk Flowers Shawl" by Sharon Dreifuss. Good to see that Sharon is really progressing in her designing career! I love the shape and size of this shawl, but hate the stupid beads. I'd totally do it exactly as written without those beads.
j. "Rosemary Street Cowl" by Sarah Fama. Love it. I have one or two skeins of this pure silk yarn that would be perfect for this, seeing as I don't really have enough to do anything else with them. And this is a better use of beads. I guess I prefer the non-representational use of beads in a knitting pattern.

So, that's 13 patterns I liked, although with these, there was much more I would change than with the other two issues. There were a couple of really bad patterns too but I'm not going to dwell on those. Just in some cases, do you really need a hood? Really?

4. Knit Simple. I'm not sure exactly why I'm still subscribing to this. Sometimes they have really great designs, but I've never knit any of them. I also wish their book reviews were a bit more critical. This magazine, and VK, both had spreads that were shot in the country, where women are "doing chores" or "sporty", but are still all dressed up. Lame. I mean, pose them on the field or in the barn if you must, but does she really have to pretend she's run out all dressed up to get more firewood?



a. The first sweater I thought I liked, upon further reflection, I realized I'd never wear, so I'm skipping that and going straight to "Tied Wrap", which is exactly what it says--a shawl that you tie down around your waist, so it doesn't flap around. I really love that concept. Again, would make a great office shawl. The knitting might kill me though, as it's basically a blanket with a tie.
b. "Textured Cardi", which is the next sweater. It's by Mari Lynn Patrick, who I generally also love. This is a great, knock around town on the weekend sweater.
c. Oh, and then we come to the best spread of all--COWLS. Love them all:



"Chevron Cowl", which is crocheted in the round and dips down over the shoulders like a little capelet.
"Ribbed Cowl" which is basically a long ribbed tube that also dips over the shoulders.
"Crocheted Cowl" which is really cute and lacy. "Twenty-Seven rounds and you're finished!" SOLD.
"Braided Cowl" Really cute. Would I ever make it? Probably not.

d. Oh, there's one more passable sweater: "Oversized Cardi" by John Brinegar. Not sure I'd ever wear this, but it could be just the way it is styled.

There was some cute stuff for kids at the end of the magazine, but nothing that was particularly inventive or sophisticated. Just lots of bright colors. I did like the hat and fingerless mitts they knit for the 'tween' girl, but I can't use them, as my tweens live in FL. :( So that's a measley 7 patterns, and that's if you count all the cowls separately, which I guess is appropriate. It's not their fault I hate SW themes.

Two more, loyal troopers!

5. Vogue Knitting, Winter 2010/11 So, VK is what it is. Sometimes wearable, sometimes over the top, always interesting. Although I have to say, this hat on the cover is bleh. She looks like she has a giant, onion-shaped head. With all my years knitting for people I have learned that people get really weird about hats. (especially Spanky! shhh.)
a. Nonetheless, there are things to like about this issue. Namely:

This is Josh Bennett's V-neck cardigan with just a "modicum of modern colorwork." LOVE. I'm going to do one of these for myself, probably using the Paton's Classic Wool that they made it out of. Only I"m going to make the main color gray, and change that arm band gray for the red. LOVE IT.
b. I like Bennett's "body-hugging pullover" on the next page too. It's red and has a pretty traditional fair isle yoke on the top, but blah. Kind of boring compared to the men's cardigan, and why does the women's stuff have to be "body-hugging"? Chokey! Ugh!
c. Oh, and another shawl collar:


Excuse the angle of my camera, which kind of makes her look pregnant. I really like the details on this sweater, but I do wonder if those two button loops would keep popping off as you move around. I bet you'd have to tack them down to make them stay. Not really a problem though. This just looks really comfy and not chokey in the least.
d. Mel Clark's Diamond pullover. I really hate that mint-green color, and the design reminds me a lot of one of Stephanie Japel's sweaters from IK a while back, but I'd still make this and use it for work. Maybe.
e. I really hate belted cardis that don't also have buttons, but I admire the design of Lisa Whiting's belted two color number and it's "hypnotically oscillating two-color motif". That would take me approximately ten years to knit so I won't be doing it, but maybe by the time I was done, I'd be as old and sophisticated as the lady in the picture, and therefore it would work. She's sassy, no doubt, and is rocking that black & white checkerboard number on p. 70, but still. That's not for me.
f. I didn't like anything in the vintage/modern layout (snore). But the socks are amazing. I debated about including them, but I would definitely knit both Star Athena patterns if I had a ton of yarn. (uh, I might, actually have a ton, but not in the same color, if you know what I mean) I can't imagine anyone actually making those bird socks, but if you do, more power to you. Crazymaking. Also, I love the little taxis in that shoot! How adorable is that? Giant feet crushing little taxis. Heh.
And so that makes 7 patterns, only if you count the two color sweater and the two pairs of socks, none of which I'm actually going to make ever. Eh, VK, you've done better. But I'll forgive you, since you had that amazing fair isle cardi this time.

6. last, but certainly not least, as I've had this for a while now, as I'm sure all of you have as well... Interweave Knits Winter 2010. This was a pretty good issue. I think I read it though, and immediately put it on my shelf. But now that I've gone through it again, I think there are some really cute sweaters here.


a. Starting with this one. The "Charvet Pullover" by Maria Leigh. This is really really cute. I love the color combo just as-is, and I can see myself wearing this every. day. All the time. And there is apparently something on the IK website about how she did this pattern. I should really look up on Ravelry whether anyone's made this or not. I'd like to see it in other fibers besides the llama/silk that I won't be using.
b/c. Actually, this whole stripey spread is good, but my other favorite is on the next page:



Can you guess which? Yep, the purple one in the top right: "Flowering Plum Pullover" by Katya Frankel. Looks really bloody hard, but so cute! Maybe not in purple for me but I would take it in purple if that's all they had. I also like that cowl on the bottom too. Really pretty.
d. "Isobel Skirt" by Cia Abbot Bullemer. I like this skirt a lot. The waistband is nice and structured, and the A-line shape is good for keeping it off your tights. I'd certainly wear it.
e. I didn't really like anything in the "Texture" story. More of the "more is more" thing they do. I did like the "Ginevra's Pullover" by Amy Polcyn, with its laceweight shawl collar, but I seriously doubt I would ever make it. It's lovely though.
f. Oh, and I really liked Susanna IC's "Oslo Walk Shawl" with the beads. I've never worked with beads before, but this one, and that cowl from Knitscene might put me over the edge. I really like the scarf-iness of the shawl.
g. Finally, I did like the "Thandie Funnel Neck" by Mercedes Tarasovich-Clark (wow, I'm really into her designs right now, apparently), but I'd never make this either. Chokey and lace weight/worsted weight in a sweater? Too hard, not for me. But it looks great on the model.
h. "Alpha Stockings" by Jenna Hurry. Out of all those socks, these are the ones I would actually make. I don't understand how people can wear their hand knit socks with dress shoes though, unless you buy them a size bigger. Mine are too tight to allow for anything but the thinnest of socks, which handknit socks are NOT. Strictly for boots and clogs are my handknit socks...

And that is it for IK. Eight patterns out of 27. I think Knitscene won with 13 this time. Oh well, something to aspire to, IK and VK. I just wish IK didn't go so "tricksy" with every freaking issue. Just create designs that are easy to wear and look good--classic--on a range of people. I mean, VK has its foot firmly in "fashion", but IK seems to have become a technique-hound's mag, and I'm not that good of a knitter, nor do I have unlimited time to spend learning how to do things just for their own sake. Learning general techniques is one thing, but I'm not really interested in putting things together in novel ways just because I can or it hasn't been tried before. Whatever. It's all so subjective anyway. I'm just glad we have a range of avenues to get patterns, and even though I've just run through the contents of SIX knitting magazines, there are still more, and there are online magazines too. We are truly blessed, as a community, to have so much available. Speaking of that, expect my next review probably Monday. Whew. That was tiring!