I think we should all be clear on this point.
It’s not disingenuous to feature Vogue Knitting Accessorize as the “ed.pick” in the new Knit.1 magazine, because “Vogue Knitting” is very clearly emblazoned on the top left corner of the Knit.1 magazine cover.
Really, it’s not disingenuous at all.
Really.
And p.s., trendy titles have dots.interspersed.between.the.words and use distressed fonts. That’s how you can tell that a publication is edgy.
Oh, right, a review.
I flipped through it at the magazine stand. That’s how carefully I read it.
This magazine is not meant for me. It is meant for tweens, teens, or twenty-somethings who didn’t get the memo that identity involved overtly rebuffing trends, and eschewing publications that proclaim on their cover that “knitting is sexy.” Yes, really, the cover says that “knitting is sexy.” We are all aware of the raw sensuality inherent in using one’s hands to forge works of fiber; the feel of cashmere on bare skin; the nipple poking through the tank top unfortunately knit in chunky gauge. We do not need to be told that knitting is sexy. Show me the knitting magazine that discloses the secret to creating bulky knitted garments that look sexy on any body type other than the archetypal anorexic fashion model, however, and I may buy it.
As an advertising vehicle for Soho Publishing (see above) and Lion Brand, the publication hits the mark. The garments are more practical than R2, but less inventive. The tone was successfully teeny-bopper light, in the manner that was clumsily attempted by the UK publication Knitting.
And that’s about as much as I have to say about the content.
As for the medium: smaller format than usual print knitting magazines. (edit: it took me a while to make the connection, but the size format is the same as teen versions of Vogue, etc.) Better quality printing and paper than, say, Knitting Digest or KnitKnit (review of the latter forthcoming). Will likely form part of the ephemera that will be used for a future generation’s thesis projects on post-feminist appropriation of traditional pre-feminist roles and activities, like being Martha Stewart or choosing to take a husband’s last name.
I might have perused the magazine longer in order to gauge its relative value in the pantheon (or not) of knitting publications, but I had to stop when I discovered the invitation to knit my own Lily Chin-designed Knit.1 shapeless tank top (complete with “knit.1″ and “knitting rocks” duped on the front and back) and send in a picture of myself wearing it. Perhaps in 40 years’ time, the readers who comply will also send in snaps of themselves holding their magazines to Knitter’s (although perhaps more successfully).
yeah it’s cheese with a capital C!! I am 26, and learned to knit at 24. It’s not my kinda mag. Phildar, now that’s a knitting mag for 20 something! I wish we had that in the states!
I bought the mag knit1 and later found it my young teen age sons’ bedroom!!! Could be because of the leggy blond in the white, knitted, string bikini!! I guess knitting is sexy
Personally I thought Knit.1 was a great magazine. I started knitting when I was in high school, but stopped because I couldn’t find any stylish patterns. I discovered Knit.1 by accident in the bookstore (I’m now a senior in college) and fell in love with the craft all over again. My favorite part of the mag is that both issues featured a little trinket-like craft, which are just PERFECT to get my creative juices going and they also make quick, excellent, gifts. I consider Knit.1 to be like a diving board for people like me. Now I get to swim in a really big pool of other magazines thanks to it. ^^
where is your review of KnitKnit? I am curious to read it. KnitKnit is much different that Knit.1,
Heather,
I see you liked the Vogue Knit 1.. My daughetr bought it and sent it to me with several things to make for her..
I have completed the #6 pattern except for the ruffle…
It does not come out right(the ruffle)
Do u know if there are any corrections to this magazine??
The ruffle comes out like a Flat picot!
Thanks Penny
Oh, chill out about the review! Everything she said is true, and it’s okay to disagree with it at the same time. I personally like parts of it, and other parts are really annoying (way too trendy for me, but I’m not the target dem), but I’m buying it. I like the orange men’s sweater in the first on, and I like a couple of the things in the second one. We’ll see where it goes and how long it stays around.
The best part of it is that I’m sending my SIL one, a frosh in college in design who might like the article in the second one about it and finally let me teach her to knit.
The 2nd edition is even better than the first! I love the beaded curtain, white dress, lacy skirt, the bandeau and the bomber jacket!
Those pattern are really cool. I am surprised that the US can come up with unique, young patterns like that.
I don’t think that the name “Vogue” is getting dragged down by Lionbrand. “Vogue” always seemed snooty to me (even the sewing pattern, yawn!), but thanks to Knit.1 this view changed.
i love knit.1 and i cant wait until the next edition! (feb. 10) just because you dont like new fashions doesnt mean that others hate it too. i love the magazine and have done so many of the patterns in just 2 months. and its a great gift for teens, you should be thankful. its getting the younger generation interested so that this great hobby wont die out. it makes grannies look cool, and i love it!
I can’t believe how hostile that reviewer is. Really… it’s just a knitting mag. If it gets younger people interested in knitting then why not??? If she doesn’t like it so much she can stick to her crunchy granola alpaca rollneck pullover patterns and leave the cute stuff to the stylish girls. she’s obviously threatened by cute girls knitting. so there.
it is kinda naff but i’m also bored crapless over knitting mags full of patterns for middle aged women so i picked it up. i haven’t had a great look through it yet but the accessory patterns look quite nice.
the blatant cross-promotion of VK and Lion Brand really shits me though…
I saw this on the news stand for the first time yesterday (a little late, I know). It was the only knitting magazine on the rack that had any patterns for men, pictures of men, or anything related to men who knit (even though it wasn’t much). That’s why I picked it up. Can anyone suggest a better publication for a knitter of the more male persuasion?
I happen to like knit.1 and I am 36 years old. I already started the Cowlneck Pullover (in covered bridge red). I love young patterns which are a little bit on the non-traditional side (I love Burda, too).I just wish they’d included the pink poodle dress/sweater as a pattern. My daughter loved that one.
Sick of Socks Yet?
I finished Eli’s socks. I have decided that I am going to learn something new with each pair. So far I have mastered the two circs method and kitchener stitch. I am SO pleased with the two circs method that…
I too bought this, but am very happy to see it on the stands. Everyone complains and whines that kids don’t do anything these days but watch TV and do video games. I am one who is very glad they are starting to target the younger generation when it comes to knitting, sewing and crafts. If you feel it is too young for you, don’t buy it. But if you do know of a teen with too much time on their hands grab a copy, some yarn and needles and wrap it in a knitting basket for a holiday present.
mmm…chunky gauge knitted tank tops
I am so glad that I found you again! I started reading your blog a year ago and I was so taken with your graphics that I kept reading. Somehow I lost your link and decided to google until I found you.
I’m glad that you have a journal so I can thank you for your site. You are bookmarked!
I’m thinking that perhaps they came up with this magazine for those knitters who see knitting as a trend. With all these articles in the newspaper saying that younger ppl are knitting, many girls have decided that it is “in” to knit.
I don’t think anyone *left* VK to do this. This is likely just an another job for them to do (and I’m betting without extra pay?).
i bought it. even though it sucked just so i could look at it at my leisure and fully contemplate why one of the eds left vogue knitting to do this. um, wha?
Thanks for saving me the money and time I’d have spent buying this magazine and I’m glad that I could supply you with a laugh for the day! Lol.
oh dear, i have to wholeheartedly agree with you. I have to admit, i was slightly excited to see a new mag coming out, but after flipping through the pages at the newsstand, as you did, AND THEN going back the NEXT DAY, just to be absolutely sure it sucked, i decided i had better save my money for something more worthwhile. terrible, just terrible.