Showing posts with label Knit Simple. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Knit Simple. Show all posts

Monday 28 November 2016

Knit Simple Winter 2016: A Review


Knit Simple has released its Winter 2016 issue. Let's have a look at the easy knits therein, shall we?





These knitted caps are simple and attractive.





These mitts aren't bad on the whole, but I think I'd omit the flaring cuffs and end (or begin) the mitts at the ribbing.





Not bad. I can't help wishing that fair isle pattern were a touch more subtle and complex.





Sweet little child's cardigan.





This hanging looks like a thrift shop seventies-era poncho someone hung on the wall.





Attractive and eye-catching afghan.





Very basic yarn basket. I suspect that one would have to keep it full of yarn or it would flop over.





A very smart pair of throw pillows.





These look like random swaths of knitting thrown randomly about a model's neck.





This model appears to have gotten her head stuck in her current knitting project which, whatever it is, was intended to be something other than a headband.





Boot toppers came out a few years back and I still haven't come around to liking them much, as I often do with new trends. I think I'd like these better if they were on a different kind of boot, such as something taller.





This is very basic, though I suppose it's useful enough. If you're knitting something very simple and easy, going with an interesting or beautiful yarn can be a good way to elevate the look of it to the next level.





Your basic oversized stocking cap.





Some simple warm socks.





This isn't a bad little tote bag, but it would need to be lined with fabric to keep it from stretching to hell and back.





Quite a pretty scarf. I like the lattice stitch.





This is a rather fun little topper for a simple, casual outfit.





A nice-looking heavy scarf with some decent texture.





Furry yarn does lend itself nicely to simple scarves. This scarf is made with a slit in it to help secure the scarf, but I'd just make it long enough to slipknot around the neck instead.





Classic ribbed sweater vest.





I prefer this one to the last one, as the stitchwork in this one is so much more interesting. I'm wondering if this photo and the previous ones are two sides of the same design, but I hope not, as I don't think they work together.





This one's rather a handsome piece. I like the combination of classic cables and ribs with the modern zipper.





Not such a fan of this one. The shaping is off, and whoever knitted this vest didn't pick up enough stitches around the neck, with the result that the neckband is pulling the horizontal stripes askew.





These two crocheted cowls appear to be made from potholders.





Not a bad hat. I like the addition of a faux fur pom pom.

Monday 18 July 2016

Knit Simple Fall 2016: A Review


Knit Simple has released its Fall 2016 issue. Let's have a look at it, shall we?




I like knitted slippers, but it can be difficult to find slipper patterns with a bit of style to them. So many knitted slippers look so clumsy and shapeless. Of this set of four, the striped slippers are rather sporty and fun, and the bunny slippers are fairly cute, but the orange slippers and the raspberry slippers with the fold-over tops have that clumsy look, and the orange ones especially look like something you'd find on a Hobbit.





Of these four pairs, I like the oatmeal ones with the burgundy trim. They're simple but a little finishing detail went a long way. The variegated ones have a great yarn but no effort was made to give them any style or interest, the pointy-toed purple ones look a little too elf-like, and the blue loopy ones would be great for those weeks when you didn't get around to Swiffering your floors but aren't so great from a style perspective.





Wool-trimmed flip flops seem contradictory in terms to me: if the temperature is high enough that you can wear flip flops, do you want wool on your feet? I'd suggest doing these in a cotton at least. The snowflake pair of slippers aren't bad.





Eyelets combined with an interesting yarn is all this scarf needs.





This is one of those simple pieces that are perfect for showcasing a beautiful yarn. A good shape and the bisecting line of dropped stitches keep it looking polished.





This wrap is easily my favourite design of the whole issue. It's relatively simple, but is ever so smart and stylish, and it sits so beautifully.





Basic, but certainly adequate.





The combination of garter ridges and lacework is interesting. There are better yarns for this pattern than this one.





The scarves aren't bad. The gray, white, blue, and red hat looks like it was knitted up of some random scraps. The football looks silly on an otherwise decent hat. The bow hat would look better in colours that worked well together.





This isn't bad, though the colour changes aren't going to have the same look on the other side. I like the idea of putting the child's initials on the blanket.





I like the owl pullover quite a lot, but the raccoon is weirding me out.






These pieces look like a good companion piece for the Swiffer slippers, because if your daughter is wearing this, you can turn her upside down and use her to get those hard-to-reach spots. Slightly more seriously, I do like the capelet, but that lion hat is going to make everyone wonder what on earth happened to the little girl's hair.





This one's a bit better than the last one, but I'm still not sold on the hat. The capelet and the mitts are cute.





The monochromatic colour scheme of this afghan really makes it.





A very good scrap yarn project -- which is to say it looks like a design rather than something made out of odd and ends of yarn.





Quite a handsome piece.





I'd never thought of knitting flower pot covers, but I have to admit these look good. They'd be a nice way to hide a flower pot that's ugly or that doesn't go with your decor. They will get dirty but that's what washing machines are for.





Very basic, but it would look very well if done in a beautiful yarn.





Classic turtleneck with a good shape. You can't go wrong with this one, unless, like me, you don't have the neck length for a turtleneck.





Not bad. The stitchwork is really interesting. I'd raise the dropped shoulders.





This one needs a more interesting yarn to make it work.





A good-looking and eye-catching scarf.