Creative Knitting Spring 2019: A Review

Creative Knitting has released their Spring 2019 issue. Let's have a look all the delicate spring knits within, bearing in mind that as I wrote this review on a bitterly cold January afternoon in Toronto, I was forced to take to bed with a cup of hot tea on the night table beside me, and to type with slightly numb hands while keeping an ear out for a knock on the door, because my furnace wasn't working properly and I was waiting for a furnace company service person to show up. In other words, it was a little hard for me to get into a proper mindset for viewing light and lacy warm weather designs, but I did my best as a knitting reviewer should.

Bridler Pullover. Pretty and wearable little top.

Ingleside Tunic. This one isn't unattractive, but the sheerness of it and the long, narrow fit might make it less wearable and less likely to be flattering on many women.

Lipson Shawl. Some very nice stitchwork in this one.

Teresa Tee. Can't say I care for the bagginess of this one.

Headley Poncho. Gorgeous lacework, and it drapes well.

Laclede Scarf. I'm pretty sure the felted floral fringe on this one would give me a "cursed by a disgruntled witch" feeling and have me in a state of chronic fear that I was two minutes away from becoming a giant vegetable marrow, helplessly rooted to the ground by the fauna grown out of my former clothing.

Oakmont Shawl. Beautiful. It's hard to go wrong with a classic lace shawl.

Tacony Tunic. I actually love this look except for the crocheted flower on it, which has a chintzy look. Omit that and one would have a beautifully stitched asymmetrical tunic with considerable style.

Briarfield Vest. I just can't get on board with designs that involve a lot of bulky extra fabric. It's such an unflattering look. This one isn't even working on a professional model.

Bristol Cardigan & Blanket. I'm not sure this kimono needs to be as long as it is, but otherwise it's fine.

Copeland Cardigan. Not my favourite type of cardigan, but I must admit this does sit and hang well.

McKinley Cardigan. Not bad, but I would fix the dropped shoulders.

Baycrest Cardigan. Cute little cardi. The play of colour is so summery.

Laviere Shrug. This one has a "pieced together out of swatches" look.

Peacefield Pullover. I would like this one so much better if it were solid stockinette stitch rather than partly mesh. Mesh stitch always looks irretrievably "grocery bag"-like to me. Also, you can get weird-looking suntans/sunburns when you're wearing it. Ask me how I know this.

Rosselle Shawl. Another very attractive little shawl.

Creative Knitting Winter 2018: A Review

Creative Knitting has released its Winter 2018 issue. Let's have a look at it, shall we?

Beall Pullover. Attractive and wearable. I do like a detailed cuff.

McDowell Cardigan. Drape-front cardigans can be problematic, but this one sits well and even has a certain relaxed elegance.

Spiced Pear Tea Cardigan. Classic cabled cardigan.

Stopher Tunic. There's some exceptional cable work on this one. It's like a sampler of different patterns, and it works together as a whole.

Allyn Vest. Not a bad little topper.

Dunbar Pullover. I quite like this one, which is something a bit different with its faux wrap effect at the cuffs and hemline.

Kenyon Pullover. This one has some good shaping and nice detailing, and the collar sits well.

VanCampen Cardigan. A wearable, contemporary piece.

Earl Grey Hat & Scarf. An attractive hat and scarf set with a telling bit of detail that will go with nearly any coat.

Koonce Pillow & Throw. This is a rather smart effect. The combination of the cushion and afghan really makes it.

Manchester Throw. The stitchwork appears to be good, but the yarn used in this project is doing it no favours. The colourway is so muddy and muddled it's hard to even see the design.

Olentangy Shawl. Not a bad little wrap.

Plum Berry Blanket & Pillow. Nice blanket and pillow, but I think I would do something different with the cushion to tie it to the blanket a bit better. If I wanted it in plain gray, I would make it in garter stitch, and if I felt like using the plum and gray I'd do it in the two-tone stitch used in the centre of the blanket. Alternating strips of both patterns might be a nice option as well.

Engelman Hat. This is rather sharp.

Fletcher Tam. This is a very nice piece, although I wish I could see the pattern on the top of the hat better.

Leebrick Hat. Cute hat!

Verder Hat. Not half bad.

Creative Knitting Autumn 2018: A Review

Creative Knitting has released their Autumn 2018 issue. Let's have a look at it.

Apple Cider Scarf. Not bad at all. The tassels are an attractive finishing touch.

Fennel Tea Scarf. This is a handsome piece, and hoods are a good way to go for keeping your head warm, because they won't crush your hair the way a hat will.

Hazelnut Latte Shawl. A very nice-looking shawl with interesting texture.

Pumpkin Spice Hat & Mitts Set. A classic hat and mitts set.

Turmeric Tea Hat & Scarf. Very pretty. I love the lacework.

Chamomile Poncho. I'm not a big poncho fan, but there is the occasional one that strikes my fancy. This one has a gorgeous play of colour, it sits well, and it's also well-styled, because this is one of those items that speak for itself and is best worn with an otherwise simple, low-key outfit.

Espresso Poncho. The stitchwork is good, but the shape is very bulky.

Harvest Cocoon. I'm not such a fan of this one, which is so bulky in the back and gives this woman the look of being in the overly enthusiastic embrace of some sort of mollusc.

Mulberry Hooded Wrap. This one's okay. The idea of a hooded poncho is something a bit different, but it's been designed so that the hood can be worn up or as a cowl. I do like the play of colour in the yarn.

Mulled Wine Capelet. This is rather pretty and would work over a variety of outfits.

Cranberry Cider Cardigan. Nice stitchwork, the shaping is good, and this sits so well and is such a wearable, useful piece. Even the model is all, "I know, right?!"

Matcha Latte Pullover. This one, with its simple yet flattering shape and simple yet telling textural detail is one to make in a beautiful yarn in your favourite colour and wear with everything.

Plum Toddy Pullover. The colour blocking on this is quite sharp. I'm not thrilled with the shaping, but this design is one of those cases where the drop shoulder can't be fixed without impacting the design's visual impact. I'd neaten up the fit a bit though, and add waist shaping.

Spiced Cider Cardigan. This isn't bad. It's serviceable at any rate. It's a little small on the model, which is detracting from its effect, and I'd double the number of buttons and buttonholes.

Strawberry Mocha Sweater. A classic turtleneck. Though I will note, in reference to its name, that I have never seen a strawberry that colour, and if I did, I wouldn't eat it.