First up there's an interesting article on double knitting; this is a technique I haven't tried yet, but I do want to give it a go at some point.
Cardiff Coat: If you like knitting with bulky wool this may be the coat for you. It's got a big snuggly collar, cables and no seams. I suspect the cables will help to stablize the coat and stop it from growing too much. It's not something I'd knit simply because being such a bulky yarn I suspect that I'd end up looking like a hippo.
Pembroke Wrap: A traditional pattern for a shawl in bulky yarn is surprisingly attractive. I'd probably want it a bit larger; after all if you're knitting bulky a couple of extra repeats will get you a shawl that will be a great winter warmer. In its current size it's perhaps a touch on the small size
Bryn Mawr Skirt: I have to say this looks shapeless and unflattering. I think that bulky yarn over the hips was a mistake. Aran weight is about as thick as I'd like to go for a skirt. It might possibly work if it was longer; short with thick yarn ends up dumpy.
Snowfall Sweater: This has possibilities. It's a reasonably flattering shape, the only thing I don't really like is the random looking snowflake motifs on the front; they look unbalanced. That would be easy to fix though and I like the way it looks with no belt too.
Now if I can get the cat off the magazine I can look at the rest of the magazine!
Strobilus Pullover: This is very pretty. It's bias lace pattern that fits and flatters your curves. On a cooler day you'd need something under it, but would be lovely like that too. I think this one may end up in the queue; I do after all have curves that need flattering.
Shadow Tuque: This is basically a cabled beanie, nice but not really anything special.
Cardigan Bay Jacket: This looks like one of those comfy weekend waist tie cardigans that just bring to mind a roaring fire and hot chocolate. Not something that is extraordinarily flattering, but oh so comfortable! Wouldn't take too long to make in Rowan Big Wool either. The only worry I'd have is the big holes on the raglan increases; I'd want to close those up.
Solstice Jacket: This is basically a cardigan that meets at the front with a really big collar and cuffs. I'm not sure about it, I think this could be due to the fact that the colour match on collar and body is slightly off. It might look better with slightly slimmer sleeves too. It has potential, but it's not quite there yet.
Gemini Cardigan: This is simple, but pretty too. I like the wide garter stitch front panel, the shaping is nice and it's not fussy. It probably won't enter the queue as there are other patterns I prefer, but it would suit many body types as it has some shape to it.
Honeycomb Jacket: I like this assymetric fitted jacket. I prefer the collar down, but like that you can button it up to add warmth if that becomes more important than good looks. I can see it in a heathered purple or red; yummy. I think this one might just pop into my queue; a handspun yarn would probably work really well. Oooh, and it's DK, and easily accessible weight here in New Zealand.
Flanders Bay Pullover: This is an exerpt from Vintage Modern Knits: Contemporary Designs Using Classic Techniques
book, which strangely is part of my personal library. I like this pattern, though it's not my favourite from the book. It is however a nice shape with some simple colourwork to make it interesting. You could easily change the motif from anchors to something less nautical if desired too, and the neckline would work really well with a button front shirt.Dahlia Cardigan: I'm really not sure what to think of this one, when worn open it's not that flattering, but when they tuck the bottom ends in at the neckline it suddenly changes. I do love the lacework on the back and I think if you made it longer it would be more flattering. I also suspect it would be a very useful cardigan too which would work well with a range of outfits; that lace over a strapless sundress? Yum!
Hex Mesh Stockings: These I love! Think fishnets but they have a lovely panel at the top that makes them less sex and more schoolgirl. I love the feel of opposites from these and will definitely give them a go; love the colours they chose as well. No black, grape and dusty red were fantastic choices. They use Malabrigo Lace, I have some silk laceweight that might work; I bought it for socks.....I think for me the knee highs would be better; the over the knee ones seem a little over the top.
Fern Lace Stole: Personally I wouldn't call it a stole, it's more of a long scarf. It's pretty enough, but nothing that screams "knit me now!". You could knit it wider to make it a true stole though easily enough simply by adding pattern repeats as it's knit from the long edge.
Wheeled Lace Shawl: I like the main pattern for the shawl, but the little bits on the edge make it look messy to my eyes. I'd forever be getting things caught in it like fingers, children, cats etc. In fact looking at it further it looks like the moths got to it, sorry, but that's just how I see it. I'm sure there are plenty out there who love it, if you do add it to your queue, but please don't give it to me.
True North Mittens: I normally really like colourwork mittens, but these ones look a little messy and I'm having problems seeing the pattern in them. With a change of colour choice it may well work though; I think the deer and antlers should both be the same colour, in the choice they've used the deer sort of disappear. Possibly too many patterns in there too, a bit of repetition goes a long way in colourwork.
Rio Capelet: This is rather pretty and I think would work well in handspun singles. I like the simple colourwork in it and it's not too long which is good. Like the high neck too.
Angel Fire Jacket: I can see why she says it's based on Southwestern American jackets as ti's got that Aztec look to it. It's not something I'd knit, shawl collars aren't the best on me, some are ok, but that's not one I could wear; also the colours they have used don't show it off to great advantage. I think the colourwork areas are too much of a contrast to the rest of the cardigan making it look supremely touristy.
Border Socks: I can see my man wearing these; in fact I have some yarn on the way for colourwork socks so I might consider this pattern instead of the Durmstrang Socks I was going to make; I'll see what he thinks. They look like something my Grandpa might have worn going to golf, but in a cool way. I would need to find one more colour, but in my stash that shouldn't be a problem, lol.
Canyon Cardigan: Something isn't quite right with this, it could simply be the choice of a yarn with white flecks through it which detracts from the Nordic emblem across the middle. Not that it matters for me, I can't see my husband wearing a cardigan, he's a sweatshirt guy and only occasionally wears a jersey.
Varsity Stole: This is wide enough to be a stole and definitely has potential, I love that it's reversible. Not keen on their colours, but I'm not into pastels and having pastel blue and pink in one item is overkill to me. Change the blue to a wine though and you'd have a winner.
Kelmscott Throw: This is a very nice looking throw and being done in double knit has the advantage that it's completely reversible. If I were to be in the mood to knit a blanket I'd consider it; but the only blanket I'm likely to knit is one from sock yarn remnants, which are way too fine for this.
Ok, that's it for this review; I think I've done a better job this time with more descriptions and you can at least go and take a look at the patterns to see what you think yourselves. Time to go and add the ones I want to the 17 page queue; play some Xbox with Thomas and then a little knitting. Have fun!
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