The latest issue of Keito Dama (Vogue Knitting in Japan) just came out! Unfortunately, none of the patterns catch my eye enough to buy the issue, but I did like the fact that they featured a bunch of “10-year sweaters”, or basically, garments you’ll want to keep wearing for your whole life. Styles that are flattering and timeless, with simplicity being key. I like these three examples, especially the rib panel on the grey sweater. It’s a very subtle effect. It might be interesting to implement that into the top-down improvised sweater knitalong by Fringe Association…that is, if I decide to join in. Like I said, I don’t have any designs that I’m absolutely dying to wear at this very second, and the knitalong starts next week. Hmm. I’ll give myself a few more days to think about it!

(in the meantime I have GOT to get some progress done on my cardigan – and my poor cowl!)

Getting back to the magazine, I like Keito Dama a bit better than the American knitting magazine designs – just something about its simpler aesthetic, I guess. The patterns use Japanese yarn which is very easy for me to purchase, of course. But the biggest thing is just the fact that the designs are a page or two pages long, at most. The PDFs for my cardigan and cowl are both like 7-8 pages long haha! Keito Dama isn’t the perfect magazine for me: there’s a ton of crochet vest patterns, and in general the past few issues have been sparse on sweaters that I’ve wanted to knit. But it’s alright. It’s not like I need to own more patterns! I already have so many!

(I literally have no space left in my teeny shelf reserved for knitting books, so)

But, I also must admit that I’m quite intrigued by this pattern. I wouldn’t knit it like this – it’s too loose and bulky, and I might choose another yarn. But the checkered pattern is interesting, and I think it could be quite beautiful if the fit was tightened up. The maroon and the grey? beige? together is a fetching combination. I really like the cowl neck. Maybe I can use this idea in the future.