Showing posts with label Love of Knitting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Love of Knitting. Show all posts

Friday 22 April 2016

Love of Knitting Summer 2016: A Review


Let's have a look at the Summer 2016 issue of Love of Knitting, shall we?





Belle Isle Socks. Quite pretty.





Bright Domino Skirt. This is almost Missoni-esque, which is an excellent thing, but that zigzag of green and white takes the look into "sixties lawn chair" territory, which is not a good thing.





Cable Mesh Blanket & Pillow. That's a very attractive cable and lace pattern.






Canyon Lace Tank. Simple and wearable, yet with just enough detail to keep the look interesting and polished.





Carys Scarf & Wrap. An interesting yarn choice was definitely the right direction for this one, as the basic design needed a lift.





Chloe Cardigan. This is a very smart and well-shaped little piece, though the borderline OCD part of my brain is mentally tweaking it so that it buttons all the way to the bottom.





Circus Train Coal Car. This must be intended to go with the little train engine toy in Love of Knitting's spring issue. I hope there's more of this train set to come, because the idea of a knitted train set is too adorable, and I can't wait to see the caboose.





Crocogator Booties. Cute. And appropriate for the kind of toddler who commonly leaves a trail of destruction in his or her wake. (Yes, I'm aware that's almost all of them.)





Curving Triangle Wrap. This is lovely, and the yarn combination is impressively striking and attractive.





Eyelet Tank. I'm not so enthusiastic about this one. The stockinette stitch upper section looks very good, but the mesh bottom half feels like a let down.





Fisherman’s Hat. I'm a little iffy on this one. Brims like this are apt to become sadly and forlornly floppy.





Hold My Calls Bag. Not a bad little bag, though I'd put in a zipper rather than go with those i-cord handles. It looks to me like a phone could easily slip past them.





Hold My Stuff Bag. I would have named this the Scrub My Dishes Bag, because it looks like a extra larger pot scrubber.





Knotty Scarf. This is quite chic.





Ladybug Swatch Cloth. I'm not sure I would have been able to figure out that this is a ladybug pattern if it weren't for the name of the pattern.





Lazy Daisy Tank. I wish this picture were better quality, but from what I can tell those daisies are very nicely rendered. The shaping is good as well, though I'm not crazy about the mesh sections.





My Mantra Wrap. The yarn is pretty, but this isn't an interesting design, and that oblong shape of wrap tends to look awkward when not being carefully styled and modeled as it is here.





Peek-a-Bunny Cardigan. The concept of a lace-trimmed cardigan with embroidered pockets containing a matching toy was a good one, but man did it not get the execution it deserved. The neckline is really poorly shaped and finished, it looks like there are chunks of lace missing from the bottom front corners, the ruffles on the pockets look like a mistake, the toy bunny looks like a cobbled-together afterthought, and the stitching around the pocket looks terrible.





Rainbow Pentagon Blanket. This one's fun, and looks very well crafted. And it's the perfect baby shower gift for the pregnant gay Wiccan in your life!





Sausalito Shawl. Very lovely piece as to both shape and stitchwork.

Monday 11 April 2016

Love of Knitting Spring 2016: A Review


Interweave has added a new knitting magazine to their roster. It's called Love of Knitting. Let's have a look at its premiere issue, shall we?





Bold Stripes Jacket. I'm liking the playful stripes, but not the lack of shaping.





Chevron Vest. Again, I like the stripes, but not the shaping. This looks like its maker started to make an afghan, lost interest in the project, added some arm holes, and called it a day.





Circus Engineer. Cute! For the child in your life who is an aspiring engineer but also enjoys cuddly things.





Colorplay Crescent Lace Shawl. There's something about this combination of a classic, romantic shawl and a bold, modern use of colour that's very pleasing.





Crystal Chandelier Wrap. This looks more like an afghan than a wrap to me, though it is a lovely afghan, one worthy of a place on Charley Pride's couch.





Faux Cabled Cardigan. Very much like this one and would totally wear it myself.





Flower Tank. This is... okay. The yarn selection doesn't seem to be doing much for it, and it could use some waist shaping.





Graphic Knit/Purl Swatch-Cloth. That heart isn't terribly well-shaped.





Linen & Lace Wrap. Love this one. The colours are beautiful and it drapes well.





Platinum Jacket. This isn't a bad example of a loose-fitting cardigan, though styling it over a fussy, bunchy dress was not a happy thought.





Sailor's Stripes Raglan. This is ADORABLE. What a clever new take on the classic Breton stripe top.





Spring Breeze Vest. This is quite well-shaped, sits well, and has some lovely stitchwork. The name suits it, because it does look like a breezy little item for a woman to throw on over a variety of her summer outfits.





Springtime Lace Shawl. Attractive, classic piece.





Tea Time Top. Nice piece with good shaping and careful finishing. I would want to make this one in a more exciting colour, though. It could use a little pepping up.





Three Geometric Pillows. Three striking and effective designs.





ZigZag Scarf. Some really fantastic stitchwork in this one.