Interweave Knits Summer 2018: A Review

Interweave Knits has released their Summer 2018 issue. Let's have a look at all the summery patterns within.

Arizona Tee. I like the contemporary style lacework in this one, which would make a good cover up for the beach, or an interesting piece to layer over a sundress.

Arkansas River Pullover. An attractive, classic cowl-neck pullover.

Bent's Fort Cardigan. The stitchwork on this is great, and the back is fabulous, but I can't say I care for the ragged-looking way it hangs in the front.

Buena Vista Stole. An attractive piece of lacework.

Candencia Poncho. The cabled stitchwork in this is nice, but I'm not crazy about the way it hangs. The model has adopted a different elaborately casual pose in every single one of the product shots on this design's Ravelry page, and the effect still isn't great.

Desert Nights Cardigan. Good shaping, and an interesting and attractive mosaic pattern.

Flagstaff Tee. A decent-looking vest.

Four Corners Cardigan. Ooh, I quite like this one. The combination of the warm, muted, desert-like colourway and the Southwestern design is appealing.





Indigo Trader Cardigan. Not bad. I like the bold design on the back. This does have a hem that curves down from the front to a larger back, but I think that works better than squared-off mullet hems.






Moab Stole. Another nice stole with lovely stitchwork.

Mojave Top. I don't think this piece is quite working here -- the styling isn't doing this piece any favours -- but I could see it working over a camisole or tank top. The shaping is decent and the lacework is attractive.

Salida Cardigan. A very decent piece. I think I might choose to work those shoulder patches in a less high-contrast colourway.





Taos Tee. This is one of those pieces that tend to only work on tall models. I like the lace detailing in the sleeves, neckline, and back, but if the intended wearer is average height or less, I'd shorten both the sleeves and the length and close up most of that waist-high slit.

Tucson Pullover. This is one of those designs that I didn't think I was going to like at first glance but that grow on me as I look at them. The colourway and the design are offbeat and eye-catching, and the shape is good.

Whitehorn Shawl. Very much like this one. The various stripes give this wrap a different interesting look in each of the various way it's styled on the design's Ravelry page.

Winona Poncho. The wavy lace pattern is attractive, but I don't think I'd be able to tolerate something that had this many loose ends and was so likely to snag on absolutely everything for even an hour of wear. This looks like something the cat dragged in, frankly.

Interweave Knits Spring 2018: A Review

Interweave Knits has released its Spring 2018 issue, and it's a very solid effort from them. Let's have a look at it.

Bergen Peak Pullover. Very much like this one. I might make that cabled yoke a little shorter in order to raise the Fair Isle bands, as this sweater has a slightly top-heavy, disproportionate look as is.

Bronson Rock Pullover. I'm loving the gansey stitchwork on the body of this. I'm not sure I'm sold on the contrast sleeve effect, though. I think I might use two colours that worked together better, such as a solid yarn for the body and a coordinating variegated yarn for the sleeves, and/or work the collar in the sleeve colour.

Clear Creek Cardigan. Classic cabled cardigan.

Compass Rose Pullover. This one garnered an, "Oooh, love that!" from me when I first saw it. The chart work on the front and back is very strikingly attractive, the shaping is good, and the ribbed detail at the sides and neck gives the sweater a finished look. This design would have been my pick for the cover design, rather than the classic but comparatively dull cardigan above.

Dual Sport Pullover. Not a bad contemporary take on the classic chevron design.

Elk Meadow Pullover. Very nice! This would be a fun sweater to pick out the colourway for, because one could go for a subtle, muted look as has been done here, or something crisp or bold.

Evergreen Mountain Pullover. Some beautiful stitchwork in the front of this pullover. It does have a mullet hem, but that's easily fixed if you feel the way I do about mullet hems.

Genesee Mountain Poncho. Fantastic stitchwork in this capelet, and it sits so well. Very nice work!

Kittredge Wrapper. I'm not a fan of this one, which has a sloppy, unfinished look.

Open Road Vest. This would be quite a useful piece for spring and summer because it can be either layered or worn alone. This design makes good use of a nubby yarn.

Saddleback Mountain Cardigan. Love the colorwork design of this one, which has the look of an Arts & Crafts wallpaper. I'm liking the flat, wide collar too -- it's something a bit fresher and more contemporary than the expected shawl collar or narrow bands.





Scoot Jacket. This jacket sits quite well in the back but quite poorly in the front.

Squaw Mountain Pullover. Far be it from me to claim to know the mind of a man, but I think most men would be perfectly happy with this pullover, which is perfectly attractive and wearable.

Straightaway Cardigan. Very much like the combination garter stitch and brioche stitch used here, but I can't help wanting to fix the dropped shoulders and neaten up the fit on this cardigan.

Throttle Moto Jacket. Motorcycle jacket-like styles often don't translate too well into knitwear because yarn is far softer, drapier medium than leather, but this designer has managed to rise to the challenge and create a linen stitch piece that both sits well and has a rather smart and very unique tweedy look.

Torque Hat. The hat design is good, but I can't say I think that leather snap detail works. The leather snap looks as though it wandered off the model's jacket during a photo shoot break, got stuck on her hat, and couldn't get back where it belong again. I'd use some other kind of buckle or snap closure.

Interweave Knits Winter 2018: A Review

Interweave Knits has released their Winter 2018 issue. Let's have a look at it!

Anchorage Cardigan. Good texture and shaping in this one.

Clinton Creek Hat. I'm liking the concept of a textured band and a stockinette body in a cap.

Dawson City Pullover. A lovely and classic fair isle yoke pullover.

Eagle Island Cardigan. This is a very attractive example of a Cowichan-style sweater, and it's also quite Dude-esque. I like the combination of gray, black, cream and red, as a nice change from the traditional black, grey, and white, or brown, tan, and white.

Elim Poncho. Some really lovely stitchwork in this one. I'm not as thrilled with the shape of this thing, but then I'm no fan of the poncho in general. It does drape well.

Grand Forks Pullover. Strikingly beautiful.

Grayling Cardigan. Another beautiful fair isle piece. I'm not crazy about the belt, which obscures some of the pretty pattern and does nothing to make the sweater sit attractively. Surely it would be better to shape this sweater at the waist.

Ibex Valley Mittens. Love the pinecone design, and these look super warm and cosy.

Iditarod Pullover. Fabulous cable patterns. I so need a broad-shouldered, hunky boyfriend to knit this for. Interested eligible bachelors are welcome to apply!

Klondike Pullover. Very decent piece with some interesting cable work.

Mount Lorne Pullover. So beautiful! That yoke is really fabulous.

Nome Pullover. The front cabling is good. I'm not crazy about the neckline, which is a bit too low and open for a man's sweater.

Rohn Pullover. Another lovely yoked sweater.

White Mountain Ruana. This has some great texture, but these loose, bulky, baggy numbers never really appeal to me much.

Whitehorse Pullover. Not bad, but I would fix those dropped shoulders. The sleeves look so absurdly short.

Yukon River Stockings. Ah, thigh high stockings for the sensible showgirl who wants to dance the can-can in Whitehorse without developing pneumonia. I kid because I love -- these are well-shaped and beautifully cabled, and they would be a good way to add some extra protection in extremely cold temperatures.