Knitscene Summer 2018: A Review

Knitscene has released its Summer 2018 issue. Let's have a look at it.

Paca Bag. This is a nice-looking and well-constructed bag. I like the sturdy handle and the design's fresh take on a Peruvian bag aesthetic -- and check out those cute little alpaca motifs. I'd line it to help it keep its shape. As you can see, the bottom is sagging, and there probably isn't even anything in it.

Accented Socks. A smart-looking pair of socks.

Boardwalk Top. Quite like this one, which is polished, interesting, and wearable.

Coastal Dress. What I initially thought might be a bit of yellow in this dress's design was actually the model's bikini showing through it. This dress will make a cute beach cover-up but might not be so good for street wear due to its translucency. To be fair, the name and the styling indicate it's being positioned exactly that way.

Cube Socks. If Pablo Picasso had been a knitter, he might have knitted some fun socks just like these.

Driftwood Vest. I like the lacework in this piece, but the vest has a skimpy, extraneous look. It's not doing anything at all for the model's cute romper, and I can't quite imagine it adding anything much to any other outfit.

Escape Bag. I like the body of the bag, and I appreciate how well it's been lined and reinforced, but this style of strap, which we saw in the Puget Tote in last week's review of Knit.Wear Spring + Summer 2018, doesn't work with this bag -- the style, colour, and texture of the strap are all at odds with the bag. I can't see tote handles working either, given that drawstring top, so I'd turn this one into a backpack by adding straps and a top flap.

Jigsaw Top. Not bad. I can't help but feel there are better colourways for this top. That's not to say these colours don't work together, because they do, but a more subtle blend of colours could give the design more visual depth.

Pyrra Shawl. I like the combination of a traditional-style lace pattern and a contemporary-style stripe.

Ripple Tank. This isn't bad. I'm not a fan of dropped stitches or mullet hems, but both work fine here given that this tank is being used as a cover-up.

Sandbar Tank. This a fetching little piece. The tasselled ties at the shoulders are a nice touch. It's a young look, but then Knitscene is aimed at a young demographic. The bottom hem is ribbed, so this piece can be worn tucked in or left out.

Sandy Cardigan. This a nice airy cardigan that has a lovely lace pattern and that sits with the grace of a shawl.





Seashell Tank. The lacework on the front of this tank is FABULOUS, but I'm not so crazy about the back. I think I'd omit the lacing (and reshape the back accordingly), finish the back hem with the same edging as the front, and add a picot edging to the neckline and armholes.

Slide Pullover. Fresh and attractive colour blocking. It would be fun to pick out a colourway for this one.

Stacking Scarf. I kind of like the concept of this scarf, but can't help but feel it needed something other than a stretch of plain stockinette in the centre of it.





Tide Pool Top. This halter top design is spare and plain, but then it's supposed to be. It's really a perfect thing of its kind.

Tonquin Top. This is a nice-looking wrap, and it's reversible so the wearer won't have to struggle to keep it right side out.

Waves Tank. Another little beach coverup. I'd do something different with the edging on the neckline and armholes, as the neckline looks unfinished and the picot edging on the armholes looks a bit tatty. A simple rib would be fine. The lace on the hem is pretty.

Windows of Moss Stitch Socks. Quite like these. The moss stitch pattern and the simple contrast stripe and toe are all the detail these socks need, and the yarns chosen for this sample work together so well.