Knotions Spring '09 Review

If anything in this issue of Knotions, you should take a moment to read the review of the new knitting magazine Nashua Handknits. It is a sister production of Rowan, so if you are fond of Rowan Nashua might be worth a look. After this review I am quite excited to get my local booksellers to carry this magazine. Take a look for yourself at the Nashau Handknits review by Carol J. Sulcoski (keep an eye on that name you will see it often in this month’s Knotions!)

On to the patterns, which is (generally) the primary reason we read knitting magazines.

First I want to say that I like how Knotions has patterns grouped by theme. In Lovely Layers we are presented with:

Textured Argyle and Diamond shell by Margit Sage of Fiber Fiend. While it is nice layered, I really think that this pullover could be worn on its own as the weather warms up. It seems like it would be a quick knit worked with worsted weight yarn on size 8 needles and with sizes going up to an XXXL (which really is in the size range for an XXXL). I like how there are several options given for yarn, one in a nicer wool and one in a quality cotton wool blend. Very affordable at only 5-9 balls of Knit Picks Main Line (and very comfy being a cotton wool blend!)

Colonade Cardi by Jody Pirrello (also the editor for Knotions or maybe she’s just the brain child, either way I like her and her involvement in Knotions) is a soft (and affordable) knit. The featured yarn is Lion Brand’s Cotton Ease, a 50/50 cotton/acrylic blend that is easily found and very affordable, especially with those JoAnn coupons!). It goes up to a 52” bust with a recommendation of a 2” ease. This is a simple ¾ sleeve cardi with a delicate working on the sleeves and around the edge. This may actually go into my queue and a possibility for that spring sweater I am seeking (although I’m not crazy about the collar on me.)

The Rubina t-shirt by Sabine Riefler is very darling. I love this color red and while it is shown layered, it could easily switch over to a nice light summer sweater worn alone or with just a tank underneath. The bobbles up the front give it a cute Asian feel. It also has very little finish work, so those who are afraid that you may never finish a project this might be something to consider. The bad news in this cute sweater is that it is for children. The sizes are ages 4-10. Darn. But it is done in a bamboo/cotton blend that looks just scrumptious. SaRi, if by chance you read this, adults want it too!

The Spring Kimono by Janine Le Cras reads beautifully. I think that I was initially put off by this short sleeve pullover because of the color. I am not a minty-seafoam kind of person. I also don’t like the fullness of the sleeves. It looks like this sweater is too big for the model. But I love that it is worked in the round and has a simple to remember lace pattern throughout. My only gripe is that the larges size is a 48” bust, so not quite as large as some of the other sweaters in this issue. It also has no ease recommendation, although it does say it has “a lot of give.” I’d be curious how large this would accommodate. Again, this issue is really thinking that transitional month of spring with a 50/50 cotton/bamboo blend. The bamboo would make this a very drapy and soft wear. If you aren't too busty or you shorten the V neck a bit on this you could easily wear this alone. I also think this would be darling worn with a lacy camisole underneath.

Keeping the chill off gave us a wrap, a cowl and two pair of socks. You know where I am heading with this I’m sure.

Seaside Serenade by Janine Le Cras is a gorgeous stole I love the lace patterns chosen and especially like the little cottage lace on the ends. While it is supposed to be parasols they remind me more of the rows of houses along the beach. I really don’t think this would be that difficult of a lace project and the pattern seems memorizable enough that one wouldn’t need to continuously be checking the pattern after a few repeats.

The Printemps Cowl by Cassie Miller is really cute and while requiring less than 150 yards of sport weight yarn it could easily be done with a single skein of Lorna’s Laces Sport or even a more luxurious yarn. The sample is done in Berger du Nord Belle which is 100% silk, but this would be darling in cashmere as well and at 150 yards! Very affordable. Oh and it is also done with a moebius cast on. What? Another cast on to learn? Hardly. Remember when you cast on socks (or anything else in the round) and it says, “be sure not to twist when joining”? Well, when knitting a moebius project you intentionally put a single twist into your yarn. The challenge is not untwisting it and forcing an “untwist” like you do when knitting that first round of socks and you accidentally find a twist and “force” it untwisted.

Time for some SOCKS! The Andromeda by Polly Outhwaite is a really darling sock. I like the chain lace and the picot cuff and beads. It is simply darling and I like how Polly has created a pattern that is flexible depending on your knitting style. Whether you use DPN’s, magic loop or do 2aat (two at a time) like I do this pattern is easily adaptable. This isn’t so with some socks (like my current project that I had to take to DPN’s to do the heels and then put back onto my 2aat circ!) I also love this semi-solid handpainted yarn. Very nice choide of this pattern!

The Bifrost socks by Kristel Nyberg are absolutely wonderful. When I saw them in the preview I thought they were too “Jaywalkery” looking, but after seeing the actual pictures and the pattern I realize how un-Jaywalkery they really are. (Yes; Jaywalkery is a word despite the fact that spell check says it isn’t. I used it, therefore it is a word.) These are done in Noro Kureyon (did you know that Kureyon is crayon in Japanese and my daughter reprimands me everytime I call it “KYURE-ee-on” as it is supposed to be pronounce “cu-RAY-on” I’m trying to be more attentive to that.) While Noro isn’t my favorite yarn (although it does bloom nicely after washing), I might consider these using one of the wonderful Knit One Crochet Too Ty-Dy Sock yarns. It has the same bold stripes like the Noro and is a delight to work with (unlike Noro). Oh and I have to say I just love the elven zig-zaggy tops!

Color Play was also quite delightful. Bome by Maria Leigh is beautiful, but I wouldn’t recommend for the busty. With the low cut square yolk it would just be too much of a shelf than anything else. It is colorful and delightful, though and I love how the word Bome is written throughout in Korean. Unless you read Korean (which I don’t) you would only think it a beautiful pattern. Or at least I hope it says Bome. I’d hate to go around with something that should says Spring on my shirt only to find out that it really reads something sadly profane. I like the little flare at the waist and on a skinnier person this would be truly darling. On me it would only accent the fact that I have too small a waist for my big ole hips.

Rainbow Chain by Erika Flory is really pretty. It would be a lovely lap blanket or baby blanket at 28” square. Done in Peaches & Crème in a multitude of colors. It could also be a stash buster for all those remnants of dishcloth cottons you have amassed. You know. The ones where you don’t have enough for another dishcloth, but too much to throw away (I mean what would your mother say?)

Carol J. Sulcoski (I told you to watch for this name) gave us two gorgeous pair of socks to round up this issue. The first Sunrise Chevron is very pretty and is a great sock for broad stripes. She uses her own sock flats that you can get from her website. The pattern appears to be very adaptable for DPN’s, magic loop or 2aat. It is also a simply remembered lace pattern and using 2.75 or 3 mm needles would be a quick knit as well.

Second is Scottsdale which is a fair isle using hand painted yarns. Ooooo scrumptious. I love color and also orange. And blue. And orange and blue together. These are fun and will definitely find their way into my faves and queue on Ravelry. Carol must knit tighter than I do as she is again recommending a size 2.75mm needle and most of her yarn I have needed to use a 2.25 needle with. I didn’t know that knitting tighter than me was possible, but maybe so. Or maybe I just really prefer a denser fabric. I don’t know.

I love the section of Fabric Row. And while there wasn’t anything that made me scream in glee that I needed (although the Tricornu pincushion is really darling and may find its way into my Pincushion swap for spring). The two bags, the Tag Along and Cape May are both very lovely and are great stash busters! Actually the more I look at the Cape May the more I like it and it would be a good way to get rid of some quilting remnants as well. All three patterns are by Jody Pirrello.

All in all it was a well put together issue. My eyes are delighted with all the color and texture and also the versatility. I don’t think that there is a pattern that would be too daunting by someone with the basic skills well under her belt, but not too boring for the seasoned knitter to tire of too quickly. Also, if you've never taken the time, be sure to look at the extra pictures for the patterns. They really help you see the stitches and special touches to this great collection of knit patterns!