The Spring 2016 Issue of Pom Pom Quarterly focuses on undyed fibers, and all the items (3 crochet patterns, 6 knitting patterns) are made with natural fibers that have no dye on them at all. I find this approach particularly appealing for a spring issue, as the patterns look wonderful together, and natural colours are really easy to integrate into anyone’s wardrobe, no matter your style. As pretty as the photographs are, I found that the slightly washed-out vintage style of lighting  made it a bit hard to see the detail in the knits, particularly the white/cream coloured ones; and I suspect it may affect some knitters decisions when choosing their next patterns. But if you are willing to look closely (and check out the current projects from this issue on Ravelry), you’ll like what you see. As with all Pom Pom Quarterly issue, they are available in print with a digital download, or by digital download only.
Also in this issue is a great essay from Anna Maltz on undyed yarn and dying ethics, an interview with fabric sculptor Sally Hewett, a tasty looking herbed popover recipe, and a graphic story about how magical knitting feels.
Out of the nine patterns, I will review four below. but if you have any questions about the others, I’ll try to answer them in the comments. And if you would like to check out the pattern on Ravelry, you can find them here.
Delineate by Olga Buraya-Kefelian
This would be a great layering tank top! Knit in sport weight cotton, this is a flattering a-line shape has a stockinette front and a graphic lace back. It would look great over your standard cotton tank top and I’d recommend a bright colour underneath, to help make this crisp white pop even more. it is knit in the round from the bottom up. Lace is both fully charted (5 charts!) and fully written.
You Should Totally Knit This If: You love figure-skimming airy knits, tank tops that are great for layering, modern silhouettes.
You Should Definitely Not Knit This If: You don’t knit summer garments (why not?!) or if you were looking for a mindless knit. The back is gorgeous, but requires a lot of attention while knitting.
Rhombille by Gina Röckenwagner
An ideal trans-seasonal sweater! Wear a tank top under this in the summer, and a t-shirt or a long sleeved tee under it in the fall or winter for extra warmth.  Aran weight means it knits up quickly. The lace is both charted and fully written.
You Should Totally Knit This If: You love loads of texture, sweaters that can be dressy or casual,and if you aspire to a minimalist wardrobe- this is one hard working sweater
You Should Definitely Not Knit This If:Â You will never knit a sweater flat. This is a seamed sweater for better shape, but I know lots of you don’t want to seam (even though it totally keeps sweaters from getting stretched out or too short!).
Striated by Nicki Merrall
A fingering weight cowl that will look good on everyone. This cowl features a pretty but easily worked stitch that is a two row repeat, so very easy to memorize. If you are looking for a single skein, take-anywhere knitting project this would be a great one.
You Should Totally Knit This If: You love easily memorized stitch repeats, zen knitting, And long cowls that can be worn looped two or even three times.
You Should Definitely Not Knit This If: You get bored easily, or hate provisional cast ons or kitchener stitch. Because that seamless look requires both.
Equilibrium by Gina Röckenwagner
A comfy DK weight cardigan. Knit bottom up in one piece until dividing for the armholes. This is difficult to see in the photograph, so it’s worth clicking over and zooming in to try to see the back shaping, which is very cleverly done in the shape of an X, and echoed across each side of the front of the cardigan. This sweater is full of great details like that, such as the split hem.
You Should Totally Knit This If:Â You love slouchy, wear-with-anything cardigans that are subtle but awesome.
You Should Definitely Not Knit This If: You were looking for a mindless knit. The pattern is very clear, but the beautiful shaping on the back and the fronts mean you need to keep track of rows. Oh, and row gauge is important!
There you have it! Which one do you most like? It’s a tough call for me between Equilibrium and Rhombille. I’d wear both any day!
These ARE lovely and I absolutely love all natural fibers! I greatly prefer them and usually use them.
I have an Organic {never dyed} Cotton that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, especially for baby items.
Out of all of these you have reviewed I have to say my first favorite would be Rhombille. Although I have a “thing” for cardigans and live in them year round so, like you, would also love Equilibrium. I’d need to see what the front of it’s doing though…
Have yourself a happy day Julie!
Danette
I favorited Rhombille yesterday on Ravelry. I have a lovely cotton blend I think might be perfect for this one. I love a good summer knit!
I love the way you review. Why I may or may not enjoy the knit is a factor I like to use. Sometimes I want to struggle and learn and really achieve something. Other times I want to zen out and just process knit away the hours. That is why I always have many projects on many needles to suit my changing mood. In the space of one day, I may feel the urge to knit different size needles from a 2 to 15 just to exercise my fingers!
I love this issue, can’t wait for my LYS to announce they received it. Turns out I have quite a lot of undyed yarn in my stash, and I want to learn crochet. Plenty of incentives for the next season. I have some sportweight bamboo that might work well for Delineate. Ok, need to finish my winter sweater first.
I lve Pom Pm, and I lve that they used undyed wool! Very cool.
Sorry for all my typos!
Great review! So detailed and informative – and I love that you give us the quick overview on what we should expect…
I have a thing for undyed yarn and after reading your post I feel the urge to dive into my stash and resurrect my skeins…. thank you for reminding me how beautiful natural yarn is!
🙂
The Equilibrium is intriguing. The design gives it some nice definition. I’m sure this is one of those knits that would just pop IRL. Can totally visualize this in a soft pink or grey…or hot pink!
The styling choices for this issue really didn’t do the knits justice. I like the undyed theme but even some outdoor shoots would give some contrast and visual interest-I wouldn’t have even glanced at this publication if you hadn’t reviewed it.
I’ve heard such lovely things about this magazine, but after looking into it more (and seeing more of it), I can’t justify the costs for the few patterns that would be alright to try out.
Like the tank top and the first sweater. Both are gorgeous! And I would love them! Except, well, they would not be flattering for me xD The cowl, though, is beautiful! 😀
Equilibrium is beautiful. I even love the yarn. I usually shy away from yarn with silk in it, but that Manos Silk Blend is pretty great.
Once again such a great issue. I think the Rhombille sweater is my favourite in there. And I guess there’s still so much to learn because I had no idea that seaming helps a sweater keep its shape (although it does make a lot of sense).