Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Spring Knitty Review

Once again I bring you my review of the newest patters at Knitty.com, an online free magazine for knitters.

Emma's unmentionables are really cute, but I just can't see my girls wearing these. I can see using the wonderful lace edging on the sleeves of a sweater, but I just don't think I'm up for a pair of knit bloomers.

Charm shrug is really a sweet springy sweater for a little girl. Alas, I have no little girls in my life anymore. I have big girls. It would make a darling Easter shrug as well. Not that there is much time left before Easter.

Juju pants are just too cute for words. But again it goes back to that problem of not having small children in the house. If I were a crazy cat woman I might consider making them for one of the cats. Rest assured, I'm not that crazy. Besides I have way too many of my own projects to contend with to take on cat knitting.

I really really like Jaden and the designer, Ruby Lo, has taken the time to figure out sizes for up to a 54" chest! Way to go. Now if I could only wear a boat neck and not show off the major part of my cleavage. I may tinker with this one when I get some time to see if I can make the neckline less deep. This has enough interest in it to keep me engaged. She recommends a mercerized cotton for this which would make it a perfect Florida or summer sweater.

I wasn't crazy for Nob Hill If I want a shrug I want it to be lightweight. This just is too unbalanced for a shrug. And it isn't the assymetricalness of it either. It's too much bulk for a shrug. Although I do think this would knit up quickly seeing as it is using a nice bulky yarn. And it does go up to a 3X/4X or 56" chest. This might be nicer a bit longer and with longer (at least 3/4 length) sleeves.

I started to dis this sweater at first, but after looking at Marjorie a little closer it really did remind me of the lovely sweaters form the 50's sweater girls. I like the interest at the bottom and the smooth look at the top. And with sizing up to a 5X (62.5" chest) this is a great sweater for so many sizes. The cabling would make it more fit around the middle giving off a nice girly shape to most any figure.

I'm really not into fitted clothing. Too many curves. But Talia is really pretty. And I may make it in the largest size to make it more flowing. SweaterBabe, the designer, has this going up to a size 3X (54" chest).

Yosemite is pretty. I like all the cables and the polo-like collar. I just wish it went bigger than a 42" chest. Done in a nice cotton/linen this would be a wonderful summer sweater. For someone smaller than me.

I'm really not a vest person. So while Honeycomb is pretty and interesting, it just isn't something I would run out and knit. I like the texture, though and think that Sarah Castor, the designer, did a beautiful job with making it interesting.

The Lace Ribbon Scarf is pretty. I like the lacework on it. I just live in Florida and there are only so many scarves you can have.

Laminaria is a really pretty shawl. I live the Estonian lace and the "beautiful undulating forms" (as knitty says). I may have to make this as a long term project (and remember to put in lots of life lines.

Mosey are really cute cabled legwarmers. Although, personally, I'd ditch the pom poms. Maybe it has something to do with Britney wearing pompoms on her boots in the middle of summer.

The girls and I thought that Paw cozy was just simply ingenious. Not ingenious enough for us to make one. Besides the cats probably wouldn't want to go for a walk on a leash (let alone go outside). But it may be an idea for a Christmas present to the dog walker across the street. (With a matching little jacket for Buddy).

Salto completely and totally is a must do. With the changing cables and the interesitng leg work, I have GOT to make these socks. I can even handle that they are in one color! (Although mine may be blue or orange).

And speaking of "must do socks" take a look at Posey with those wonderful two-toned half squares! Now that is one sharp sock. There does seem to be a lot of finishing work in these, but the final result is absolutely FUN!

And while I can appreciate An American in China for what it is, these socks are just way to bulky and boring for me. The bottoms are a bit interesting, but the rest of the sock just sort of is there.

I really like Brighton, but may have to make it smaller. While I tend to carry a lot of things around, I think this bag may be a bit excessive. If I go this big I'll be having the whole family's stuff to carry with me.

And while I found Spirogyra to be pretty, they truly just look like hand versions of Cookie A's Pomatomus. Uh, did the editors not notice the similarity? While the pattern is written a bit differently, it is still essentially the same. And I've already made Pomatomus (wearing them as I type this as a matter of fact), so would really need something quite different to hold my attention.

OK, that's all for now. Off to shower and finish off the first of my Jaywalker socks. Wee!

Friday, March 7, 2008

Magknits March review

Yes; late but it's finally here. My review of the Magknits 2008 patterns.

Tiny Bubbles This is a fun little scarf. I like the colors and considering you only need 200 yards you could really make this of just about any yarn. Not sure I would make it for myself as I'm not really a big scarf person, but definitely on my list for potential gifts for friends.

Josephine is a nice simple sweater (OK, looks simple to me) but unfortunately, it is sized only up to a 48 inche bust and designers have yet to consider making sizes for us BBB's. I like that it is made from some nice chunky yarn (Rowan Big Wool) so it would knit up really fast. Only 8 skeins for the largest size. I doubt it would be that hard to incrase, though looking at the pattern. Maybe if I get to Oregon before the world ends I'll make this. It is fairly impractical for Florida.

Now I could definitely get into Katlyn. Again this is a lovely sweater with great lines with a sort of kimono look made with bulky yarn (Brown Sheep Bulky) I'd probably substitute Wool-Ease Bulky just 'cause (it's cheaper and more easily obtainable for me). And (drumroll please) the designer has made this large enough for an XXL (60" bust!) And I can actually get away with only a regular XL. Woot!! Give this designer (Amber Daniels) a prize! Of course I'll probably make it blue or green. :)

Not sure I need a water bottle tote, but if I did I could definitely see making Sipp-a-Roo I like the pattern and may find a way to incorporate it into something else (maybe a shorter coffee cosy for Dan's endless Starbucks runs - since he never can remember to take his refillable mug).

Miss Muffett could almost make me want to have another child. Note that I did say almost. Maybe one of my younger friends will grace me with a child I can knit for. This is just a darling little knit dress. I just love everything about this little dress! The designer (Marjorie Brigham) was kind enough to give a variety of yarn choices for this little dress including some superwash yarns. I could even see this knit with a nice cool bamboo for hotter climates or maybe even linen or linen/cotton blend.

I want to make Pentapus as gloves. They are just so adorable. I'd even make them for myself! A simple modification of this stuffed plushie would make simply adorable gloves!

That's it for this month's Magknits!

Yes we can socks!


Anna Zilboorg (isn't that just an awesome name?) has created some wonderful socks for the Obama campaign. YOu can also see what they look like here (Yes; same pic) You can do them like she has them made up (Yes we can on one sock and Si se puede on the other) or do the same sock twice. I like the idea of having one of each! So how can you get these wonderful socks? Simple. Make a donation of any size to the Obama campaign and forward your donation acknowledgement to her at campaignSocks@swva.net She will then send you a pdf of the pattern to your e-mail account.

Anna Zilboorg has written some great books including Simply Socks: 45 Traditional Turkish Patterns to Knit, Knitting for Anarchists, and Magnificent Mittens. Her work is just beautiful!

Now if you want to make this even more wonderful (at least in this knitter's opinion) make your donation through Ravelry Knitters where we are trying to raise $7500 by April first (hey, under $600 to go)