Recent KnipMode roundup
26 February 2009, 14:25Last week I went on a bit of a spree and bought the November through March issues of KnipMode in one go. I usually get a couple at a time to save on shipping, but in this case I hadn’t bought since October so I was playing a bit of catchup (I should really just bite the bullet and subscribe already!). While I was on Naaipatronen.nl anyway, I figured I’d try another sewing magazine I’d never seen before and also bought FIMI magazine, too (more on that later).
I’ve spent the last few evenings thumbing through these and picking out my favourites, so I’ll let you in on a few gems here now in case you want to grab them before they go out of stock (it seems like the issues I write about tend to sell out directly after, ha!). So, working on chronological order, here’s my picks.
First up is KnipMode 11/08 #8b, a really gorgeous silk and gorgette dress that’s in the running for my birthday dress.
See, I’ve got 3 yards of emerald green silk charmeuse set aside, but now I’m torn between this and de-petiting BWOF 03/09 #116A if it arrives in time… But looking at both of them together, I’m thinking maybe the KnipMode dress would be a tad more flattering to my medical weight gain?
Also in November’s issue is a set of photo instructions for this bag :
But there’s no pattern in the magazine, and it looks to me like it may be a downloadable pattern from official site, but I can’t find anything there. Does anyone know what the deal is with this pattern? Was it a November exclusive that’s been taken down now perhaps?
EDIT: I’m not blind, it’s not linked on the site anymore, but Els found that the file is still up!
Moving on to December, there was an awful lot of party wear, but it was KnipMode 12/08 #21a that caught my eye.
This fleece has just fantastic lines and hidden pockets, which are so useful when you often go to the neighbours or to the corner shop and just need to hold your keys, mobile, and wallet. I might grab some more microfleece and make this as a lightweight spring jacket…
January’s issue had a fun “sports coach” photoshoot where I got a mere glimpse of KnipMode 01/09 #11a…
Just like the leggings that I love so much, these boyfriend jeans with ankle buttons and big scoop pockets only got one photo in the magazine, half covered by other clothing. Good thing for technical drawings, or I’d have never seen this one at all! I’ve been thinking I should branch out a bit from my TNT trouser pattern and these look really comfortable and fun.
Then, from February, KnipMode had a bit of a restyle, with a new logo, added features (like a makeover section with real-life women, and a really easy “no pattern” design!), a letters page, and …wait for it… an increased size range! Their regular patterns are all size 34-46 now, and Plus are all 44-56 (so you lucky ducklings sized 44 and 46 can wear the entire magazine)! Really, I loved KnipMode before, but they’ve made it even better now, with these changes and pushing subscriber deals like “buy two years and get a free sewing machine” (though I doubt that’s applicable outside The Netherlands anyway).
In the February issue, there were two fabulous day dresses (in a feature about mothers and their children), which I actually want to combine and sew up in a fun knit.
I’d take the top half of KnipMode 02/09 #15
And the bottom half of KnipMode 02/09 #18
…and join them together to get a V-neck, raglan day dress with big scoop pockets!
All these issues all got passed around at our moorings monthly crafty night on Monday, and my friends’ favourites both came from the March issue!
My own personal favourite from this is in the “Old Holland style” section. The cute yoked teeshirt KnipMode 03/09 #11a and the jeanskirt #12 just look so comfortable and wearable.
This jeanskirt is a faux-wrap style like the KnipMode kilt-styled jeanskirt I made a few years ago, and it’s just different enough for me to really want it. This and the boyfriend jeans from January would be such a great pairing for alternating days!
My neighbour Elaine, however, fell in love with this milkmaid dress, KnipMode 03/09 #18 (this was part of their makeover feature, hence the beauty products on the page, and the lovely non-model lady)
And my neighbour Lucie was just head over heels for this pink top KnipMode 03/09 #4b and the green trousers #13!
I really love KnipMode anyway, and I sew quite a bit from it, but this batch of issues I think has been really strong, and they don’t seem to be repeating as much to my eyes as they sometimes did in the past. The restyle makes me really hopeful for them that they’ll be able to come through these economic times stronger than before and get even more new readers and sewers. In my mind, they only way they could get any better would be to create versions in different languages, like Burda, and start to sell in markets outside of The Netherlands. To me, it really makes no difference, but I’d love for others to use them as much as I do!
Tags: knipmode, magazineComments:
Copying the Rick Owens top August 2006 - the best Burda issue ever
This is a VERY good edition. Many many cute items. Thanks for whetting the appetite.
— cidell Feb 26, 03:25 PM #
No information on the bag on the site of Knip Mode any more on the site. Shall I ask on a Dutch sewing site whether someone has the instructions?
I’m not as fond of Knip mode as you are, and even was very disappointed by the March issue, the first one I bought in months. I’ll probably sell it. For me it’s occasional issues that are good (September was such an issue). But of course, that’s quite a personal opinion. Glad you like them.
— Sigrid Feb 26, 05:38 PM #
Hello Melissa,
I’ve downloaded the pdf a couple months ago. If you like I can email to you. I made the bag, it’s quite cute. It’s my sewingbag to bring to sewingclass.
Judith
from Leiden, the Netherlands
— j. kramer Feb 26, 06:20 PM #
Ooooh, you are fueling my knip mode lust.
— The Slapdash Sewist Feb 26, 10:58 PM #
I’m loving the milkmaid dress, too!
Hope you are feeling well :)
— E Feb 27, 12:26 AM #
My Dutch friend Janneke took at look at the website and told me that the bag pattern is unfortunately no longer available for download.
I love the pieces that you’ve chosen.
— Daisy Feb 27, 09:21 PM #
Luckylibbet at PR suggested I check out your blog, thanks for all info on KnipMode, you are providing a valuable resource here…I have a friend travelling to London next week, can you suggest vendors where c she can buy the European pattern magazines for me? Thanks. Kathi
— Kathi Rank Feb 28, 05:56 AM #
I just got the March issue and especially like the patterns in the ‘Knipmode Special’ that come with it. I’m eyeing that cute denim skirt too, but the number of pieces is daunting. Might be tough for me to figure out with no English translation.
— pterion Mar 11, 04:04 PM #
Hi Melissa!
How are you doing? I hope you are feeling fine and well again. I was startled when I read about you going to hospital and all. I trule hope everything is alright with you eversince then? By the way I loved your birthday pics and thought you looked really radiant! Got a question for you by the way. Don’t do this everyday, but since you (and Miss Celie’s Pants) love sewing to much…the May issue of Knipmode will feature (they say) over 40 dresspatterns to celebrate their 40 year anniversary. I don’t know if it is easy for you to get hold on KnipMode issues, but if you would like I am more than happy to send you a copy (maybe also this April month issue with the ‘origami’patterns, check them on www.knipmode.nl), consider it a ‘late’ birthday gift…let me know if you want me to get them for you. For now: just got home from work and going to work on the two-piece for my mom. She’s having her birthday coming up and I am making a silk two piece suit for her as a surprise, which means no doodleling around, gotta be ready in time! Have a great week, lots of happy sewing and all the best! With a silk touch from me,
Nathalie
— Nathalie Apr 6, 10:19 PM #