VOGUEknitting Holiday 2013 comes with is on the bookshelf and I want to do a review of this magazine. Actually I’m always thrilled when a new VOGUEknitting is published, this time the elegance of the designs and the great pattern are revealed after a second look.

VOGUEknitting Holiday 2013 shows 25 designs and has 5 different themes

• Femmes Fatales
• Gossamer Mystique
• Color Play
• Fiber Optics
• Make a Weekend of it!

Here are the designs. Enjoy and have a second look!

Femmes fatales

Irina Poludnenko

This lace yoke pullover with it’s flattering side shaping is a sparkling eye catcher in your wardrobe. I do especially love the intarsia detail on the front, unfortunately hidden behind the necklace. Knitted in “Trendsetter Yarns whiskered “Twiggy” and sequined “Luna“, using both yarns held  together for the body and two strands of “Luna” held together for the bodice and set-in sleeves (Christina Behnke)”.
Knitable in 5 sizes: 36″ (91,5cm) to 53″ (134,5cm).

Christina Behnke

I like this clever unusual construction. Alternating stripes in of knit and purl rows form the pattern. This and the supporting short rows creates a flattering garment. The turtleneck collar beautifully contrasts the sleeveless design! “Christina Behnke uses welted stripes of “Cashmerino Aran” and “Party Angel” from Debbie Bliss (Christina Behnke)”
Knitable in 4 sizes 32″ (81cm) to 47,5″ (120,5cm) measured slightly strechted.

Shiri Mor

This jacket is for someone who likes to try out modular techniques. Well, I’m not that impressed about these techniques. It looks like they are created for people who want to show how good they are in finishing techniques. I never ever saw a design that really works.  In this design I especially do not like the triangles below the arms. Also the crochet joinings in a thicker yarn are a little bit to much for my personal taste. And does the front opening bands and hems are really looking good? I would use Lorna’s Laces silky “Helen’s Lace” and “Shepherd Worsted” to knit something else.
Knitable in 4 sizes 33,5″ (85cm) to 40″ (101,5 cm) measured with bust closed.

Lori Steinberg

I like the idea and I like the lace, but I do not like the result. I guess it is the variegation of the lace yarn. I would have used either the same colour as used in the stockinette-stitch bands or a completely different colour, but both not variegated. This short-sleeved sweater is knitted in “Manos del Uruguay “Silk Blend” alternate with fields of simple mini-leaf lace, knit in  Manos’s sumptuous alpaca/silk/cashmere “Lace” (Christina Behnke)”.
Knitable in 5 sizes 32″ (81cm) to 49″ (124,5cm).

Laura Zukaite

Well, the design starts great on the hem and it’s rib pattern, but loses the day in the upper part. I think such a design with this keyhole opening needs a plain pattern for only wearing a bra. The shell pattern forces the wearer to slip into a shirt (as seen in the picture). Not that charming, really. I would have done the body in stockinette or a not so open lace pattern, but who am I. Knitted in “Artyarns’ luscious “Supermerino“, incorporating “Silk Mohair Glitter” throughout (Christina Behnke)” the ribbed hem worked in the round.
Knitable in 3 sizes from 32″ (81cm) to 48″ (123cm) with keyhole pinned close.

Gossamer Mystique

Zabeth Loisel-Weiner

Terrific, the pattern is great, the construction is superb, a must knit for every lover of lace. Zabeth Loisel-Werner used “Silky Alpaca Lace” for this great triangular lace shawl.
Width approx 58″/147cm
Length at centre 28″/71cm

Brooke Nico

A lovely garter stitch shawl in a triangular shape. Simple yet stunning patterns create a perfect shawl. The “wavy” edging is beautiful. “Knit in Jade Sapphire Exotic Fibres’ soft and springy “Lacey Lamb” (Christina Behnke)”.
Width approx 62″/157,5cm
Length at center 21″/53,5cm

Manda Shah

Another lovely shawl, worked from the tool edge down.  I would have chosen another colour, but this is my personal taste. A must have for someone who loves straight and geometric patterns. Knit one, Crochet too’s “Cria Lace” is the yarn this triangular shawl is knitted in.
Width approx 60″/152,5cm
Length at center 30″/76cm

Zabeth Loisel-Weiner

Simply yes, to the lace, to the bubbles, to the construction, to the colour. A masterpiece, performed by Zabeth Loisel-Werner, who uses “Filigran” from Zitron for this triangular shawl.
Width approx 46″/117cm
Length at center 22″/56cm

Lynette Meek

It is so true what is written on this picture ‘After the glitter fades, the beauty of lace remains.’ This shawl is great, the colour is chosen well for this ‘whip on’! This is a piece you will miss! “Stitched in Zealana’s heavenly “Air” (Christina Behnke)”.
Width approx 68″/172,5cm
Length at center 40″/101,5cm

Color Play

Anna Sui

Be game enough to wear it (and knit it)! It is simply gorgeous. I’m sure you will have as much fun knitting this pieces as wearing it. You will force everyone to for you! The dress is knitted in “Kersti Merino Crepe” from Koigu and the socks are knitted in matching colours of Koigu’s “KPM“.
The dress is knitable in 3 sizes 34″ (86,5cm) to 45″(114cm).
The knee socks are knitable in 2 sizes 10,5″ (26,5cm) and 14” (35.5cm) calf circumference.

Fiber Optics

Jacqueline van Dillen

“Jacqueline van Dillen’s boxy jacket has both a Fifties sensibility and a modern vibe.  The pointed flat collar is worked separately in garter stripes. Knitted button covers add polish.” Christina says.

I love this design, it is hypnotic, psychedelic and truly dizzying (in a positive way). Everything fits, the shape, the length, the tailored sleeves. And I love the knitted button covers. They shine! “Worked in allover stranded colourwork in Cascade Yarns’ “220 Superwash“, the body and set-in sleeves are knit flat and later seamed. (Christina Behnke)”
Knitable in 5 sizes from 36″ (91,5cm) to 50″ (127cm) bust closed.

Amy Micallef

I say why not:  unusual colour combination meets brilliant pattern. So lets knit it, but stop there is one drop of bitterness in this design: the length of the sleeves and the corrugated ribbing on them! Skip both design elements! Make full length sleeves or short sleeves and quit the corrugated rib. (Even the model looks like she is forced to wash the dishes!) This “stranded colourwork pops in Blue Sky Alpacas’ “Worsted Hand Dyes” (Christina Behnke)”.
Knitable in 5 sizes from 32″ (81cm) to 49″ (124,5cm)

Loren Cherensky

Somethings wrong with this picture! And it is not the skirt, I like the idea and it is nice. But I have to ask one question: ‘Who has dressed this model? Nothing and I mean nothing fits together. But back to the skirt: I hope the fabric has enough memory or you only will sit down once! This pencil skirt is worked in Kolláge Yarns’ “Fantastic” yarn.
Knitable in 4 sizes:
Waist 26,5″ (67,5cm) to 37″ (94cm)
Hip 32,5″ (82,5cm) to 44″ (111,5cm)

Mari Lynn Patrick

I say (again): “Who dressed this model?” The pullover is great, it’s a piece you will wear every day, if you want. As Christina Behnke mentions, “the bold stripes on the side and raglan seams adds further interest to this garment”.  The colours shown here are beautiful and it will also look good in different colourways, too. This pullover is “worked in Bergère de France’s “Pure Nature” (Christina Behnke).
Knitable in 6 sizes from 34″ (94cm) to 46,5″ (118cm)

Tabetha Hendrick

I like the cable detail on this design, but would add a little bit of length, lets say 1″ (2,5cm) at the hem. “Knit in “Simplicity” from HiKoo, it features full-fashioned waist shaping and contrast-colour ribbing on the neck, cuffs and lower hem. (Christina Behnke)”.
Knitable in 5 sizes from 34″ (86,5cm) to 50″ (127cm)

Carol Sulcoski

Well, a little bit dotted, isn’t it. And it looks like the sleeves are to short, but maybe this is an accident? “knit in “Zara Chine” from Filatura Di Crosa, seem suspended in midair on a background of charcoal “Zara” (Christina Behnke)”.
Knitable in 5 sizes from 34″ (86,5cm) to 49″ (124,5cm) bust closed.

Make a Weekend of it!

Yoko Hatta

Cosy, cosy. A piece you will wear all day long and it really “makes your weekend” ! I do especially love the trumpet looking sleeves, which are worked straight (!) and the big big cowl. A beautiful and relaxed design. It “is knit with minimal shaping in Cascade Yarns’ undyed, self-striping “Eco Duo” (Christina Behnke)”.
Knitable in 5 sizes from 39″ (111,5cm) to 55″ (139,5cm)

Laura Bryant

Clever intended pooling forms the fabric of this tunic worked sideways. Stripes are en vogue and the hems are knitted in one of my favourite stitches. What a great design. But watch your gauge! It is knitted in Prism’s “Symphony” a hand-painted yarn.
Knitable in 5 sizes: 35″ (89cm) to 48″ (122cm).

Deborah Newton

A classic and a piece you will love for years to come. It looks so cosy. The cable patterns adds interest to both knitting and at last wearing it. And the shawl collar is fantastic. Beautiful! And most of all: it has pockets, great! “Cotton-mottled “Anna” from Imperial Yarn lends a soft patina to the allover patterning (Christina Behnke)”.
Knitable in 4 sizes from 40″ (101,5cm) to 56″ (142cm) bust closed.

Amy Micallef

Wear this throw as a wrap, do it. It looks fantastic. I love the pattern and I love the drape. A timeless design. “Plymouth Yarn Co.’s “Baby Alpaca Aire” chainette forms a soft, lightweight fabric. (Christina Behnke)”.
Finished measurements approx 50″ x 60″ (127 x 152,5cm)

Robin Melanson

I’m not quite sure if I like it or not. Well I like the cables, I like the shape but I do not like the closure. It looks simply like another futile design element without any function? Does it close the cardigan? Not really! Does it look flattering this way? Not really! So why adding three buttons which has no function at all and spoil the result? Don’t know. It is knitted using “the elegant shades of self-stiping “Poems Silk” from Wisdom Yarns. (Christina Behnke)”.
Knitable in 5 sizes 36″ (91,5cm) to 52″ (132cm) with fronts slightly overlapped.

Tanja Steinbach

This design reminds me of the ’80s: Dolman sleeves, knitted sideways, love it. The body is knitted bottom up and sewn on the insert. The pattern is a little bit overwhelming with all the different cables. “Tanja Steinbach knit her dolman-sleeve darling in Schachenmayer Select’s “Trend Deluxe” (Christina Behnke)”.
Knitable in 4 sizes (32″ (81cm) to 48″ (122cm) bust under dolman sleeve.

Sarah Hatton

A simple shape, a stunning pattern and three-quarter length sleeves, that is what I like. A everyday, wearable garment, that is the speciality of Sarah Hatton’s designs,  throughout! This one is knitted in Rowan Yarns “Cocoon“.
Knitable in 5 sizes from 34″ (86,5cm) to 50” (127cm)

Melissa Leapman

Look at these cables! Aren’t they gorgeous, “split climbing cable, mirrored on the back (Christina Behnke)” are forming this A-line shaped pullover. This pullover not only looks comfy, it has a clever and eye catching construction. A piece you will love to wear. It is knitted in Berroco’s “Voyage” yarn.
Knitable in 5 sizes form 33″ (84cm) to 49″ (124,5cm).

Christina Behnke is Associate Editor and responsible for the fashion captions of the VOGUEKnitting Magazine.

All pictures are screenshots from my VOGUEknitting magazine Holiday 2013. I took it from my iPad.