Knitty Winter 2014: A Review

Knitty has published its Winter 2014 issue. Let's have a look at it, shall we.

Wavedeck. Lovely. The lacework has a very pleasing balance to its pattern.

Comber. Another lovely shawl. The colours are supposed to represent the colours of the seashore, but I think I'd go with a solid colour here.

Knitted Gloves. These were adapted by Franklin Habit from Weldon's Practical Knitter, 1st Series (1880s), with accompanying comments about how he doesn't want to hear any whining from knitters reluctant to knit fingers because knitting four little tubes isn't that demanding. The stitch used here not only has great texture but would be very stretchy, which is an excellent thing in a glove.





We have three patterns here, all grouped under the title Plays Well Together: Granny's Diamond Necklace, Pinned, and Covered. I think perhaps I am simply the wrong demographic for the granny square. I read some time ago that first names go in and out of style according to a predictable three-generation cycle. People of the right age to name their own children often give them names from their great-grandparents' day, because those names have an quaint appeal to a generation that never knew anyone of those names. Meanwhile, the parents of the baby's parents are often dismayed, because they did know people of their grandparents' generation who had those names, and to them it's a hopelessly dated name. I'm 41 and I had great-aunts named Stella and Clara, so those names sound like old ladies' names to me, but to a twentysomething new mother, they might well sound fresh and new again.

Much the same sort of phenomenon informs our tastes in other areas. I'm not buying the granny chic thing, because I grew up seeing granny square afghans and throw pillows in homes owned by people of my grandparents' generation. To me the variegated yarn granny square is as irredeemably dated and tacky as the bowl of plastic fruit that used to sit on my grandparents' dining room table, while to someone younger it might seem charmingly retro and hip. And all I can say of these three patterns is that the pincushion would be useful.

Heritage. Cute checked cowl.

Kayak. Simple cowl with an appealing graphic design.

Giga. I'm not too taken with this one, which looks a little rough and unfinished. The colourway isn't doing it any favours either.

Cosi Cosa Cowl. Good texture. It looks better worn double than it does worn single, but I wanted you to be able to really see the stitchwork.

Slouchy Saami Hat. Cute hat. Though I can't quite figure out what's going on with the slightly messy-looking transition from ribbing to body of the hat.

Tourbillion beanie/tam. Quite like this richly patterned tam.

Reflector Hat. This hat, which was designed to be worn while cycling, will keep your ears warm and help keep you visible to passing motorists, but it does leave something to be desired in terms of aesthetic value. ETA: And as a reader on this blog's Facebook page has commented, this hat is meant to be worn in lieu of a helmet, which is not a safe alternative.

Alice Cap. The body of this cap is quite good, but the hat needs better trimming and a better colour scheme to work on the whole. That scrap of knitting randomly tacked on to the side is doing nothing but hanging there.

Winter Doldrums pullover. Beautifully plotted yoke on this one, complete with poinsettias.

Smithfield pullover. I would neaten up the fit a touch on this one, but this is exactly how I would style this one, with leggings and flats, for the ultimate in comfortable casual wear.

Folie à deux. This pattern comes with directions for both this dress and a top with a more scooped neckline. They're fun and well-shaped pieces for those who like their knitwear on the sassy, groovy side.

The Minetta Cardigan. Perfect classic cardigan.

His Mark cardigan. The combination of the bright, multi-colour colourway and the busyness of the pattern puts it a little over the top for my liking. I'd do this in fewer and quieter colours. The shaping is quite good. I do appreciate the stand-up double collar, which is a nice alternative to the usual turtleneck.

Lean On Me vest. Nice piece. It could look very sharp and elegant in neutral tones.

Irrational Skirt. This has to be the ultimate math geek knitting project. The numbers on this skirt, which is knit in one long strip and seamed into a skirt, contains the numbers of Pi. As many of them as is needed to make a skirt, that is, given that Pi is infinite. The resulting design is reasonably wearable and flattering. Just don't use it to cheat on a math test, please.

Tauriel socks. These socks were inspired by the Tauriel character from The Hobbit. They do look rather elfin, at that. Love the cables and the socks are well-constructed.

Dr. Quackers. Totally cuddly and adorable toy.

Drogo slippers. These slippers have a really marvellous construction: they're seamless and reversible and patterned all over, and they're attractive to boot. Nice work!