Review of Pom Pom Quarterly Winter 2014

It's always a treat when Pom Pom Quarterly pops through my letter box. Underneath the bland, brown envelope is a veritable knitting treat, wrapped up in tissue paper with my name hand written on.

Photo courtesty of Pom Pom Quarterly

The latest edition of this collectable series channels all things public house - not that we need encouragement in the winter to sup by a roaring fire - with nine new patterns from homespun designers whose work you don't usually see in your average knitting magazine on the newsagent's shelf. Interspersed between the gloriously-photographed garments and the patterns themselves are short featues on subjects such as a project to visit quirky English pubs and how to make a whisky tirumasu.

My favourite design is that featured on the cover - a 1950s-inspired sweater called Fairchild. It's deceptively simple-looking, with sharp lines of pleats. Fairchild would look stunning paired with jeans for Sunday lunch down your local.

None of the patterns are aimed at beginners, but there are smaller projects suitable for knitters wanting to master a new skill, such as cabling in the Curio Mitts.

The warm jumper Cidre looks itself like a pint of the frothy apple nectar.

Photo courtesy of Pom Pom Quarterly

Plus I adore the quirkiness of the pom pom-bedecked hat Into Trees. 

Photo courtesy of Pom Pom Quarterly

The most moving article is Katie Green's cartoon story of how knitting saved her life when she suffered from depression. As anyone who has ever walked in those shoes knows, the repetitive and creative motions of knitting can help when the outside world seems too much to bear.

Pom Pom Quarterly issue 11, Winter 24, costs £8 if downloaded from Ravelry or £9.50 for both print and digital when bought direct. A four-issue subscription costs £30. 

What's your favourite pattern from this issue?

Read my reviews of previous Pom Pom Quarterly issues:

• Pom Pom Quarterly's 2nd Anniversary Issue
• Three Cheers for Pom Pom Quarterly