Pom Pom Quarterly's 2nd Anniversary Issue

A new issue of the British indie magazine Pom Pom Quarterly plopping through my letterbox is always a treat. Although at £9.50 it's more pricey than mainstream knitting magazines, and it doesn't come with the ubiquitous cover gift, the high standard of art and design render it a keepsake, rather than throwaway publication.

Issue 9 contains a delightful summer mixture of bright and pastel knits, accompanying features, and tips on perfecting intarsia. There are eight knitting patterns and, at a deviation from the norm, a sewing pattern to make a boxy top. Near the back of the issue is a two page spread on the yarns featured in the magazine, all from small businesses. They all, thankfully, can be bought online.

The Seaside Sundae blanket in pastel ice cream shades looks like a winner for using up spare DK if buying the named yarn stretches the budget. The fruity theme continues with Sarah Garry's Ananas Comosus, a strappy top with a mercerised shine and a whacking great pineapple on the front. The article with intarsia pointers will certainly come in use for this pattern.

The other patterns include Baya, a patterned shawl; bobbly ice cream coloured-top Creamsicle; oversized layering tee Sceles; Sombre, a lightweight, cover up top; and the Emery shawl's  textured play on geometrics. All the designs are beautiful to look at and knitters will have their own favourites depending on their project of choice. For me the blanket gets top billing, with Creamsicle a close runner up. I find that wraps and shawls are lovely to look at but difficult to wear, hence them as yet not having darkened my project stash.

Susan Crawford's article about Flora Klickmann is fascinating reading. Klickmann, born in the 19th century, became a prolific author and journalist, including publishing instructional books on knitting and crochet for girls. Crawford's design Flora, a short-sleeved cardigan inspired by her subject, completes the issue's patterns.

Once again this is another delightful issue from Pom Pom Quarterly, perfectly suiting the season. My only qualm is the inclusion of a sewing pattern. Whilst some knitters may also chalk up sewing as one of their other hobbies, I don't. Another knitting pattern instead would have been preferable.

Readers can buy print or digital issues from the Pom Pom Quarterly website. Sadly most of the back issues are only available in digital format. Please, Pom Pom Quarterly, print some more so fans can stock up on physical back copies. The design of the magazine is akin to that of a deluxe coffee table book and needs to be appreciated in the 'real' world rather than flicked across a digital screen.

Right, I'm off now to try out the delicious-sounding recipe for Raspberry Eton Mess Parfait that's tucked in the magazine after the patterns. Just have to make sure I keep the raspberry juice away from my yarn!