Twist Collective September 2018: A Review

Today we're going to have a look at Twist Collective's September 2018 issue.

Maidstone. A classic wearable piece with some appealing stitchwork.

Cedar Hill. These open-front pieces are always a challenge because the front really needs to sit well... and this one doesn't.

Passerine. Oooh, pretty. I'm always a sucker for this sort of tracery design, especially when it involves birds and branches. There's something so charming about the effect.

Caspia. An attractively classic piece.

Parallax. I like the contemporary, graphic vibe of this scarf.

Dancing Meadow. So, so pretty.

Acacia. I like the concept of this one, and the stitchwork is perfect, but I would neaten up the fit a touch and nix the mullet hem.

Ostraka. This one's a little rough-looking for my liking, and I think it also needs a more interesting yarn.

Glenevin. I like this kind of pullover: it's simple and classic enough to go with everything, and yet has enough interest in its stitchwork and details that it will never look boring or unpolished.

Peryton. Fantastic stitchwork and shaping in this one.

Twist Collective July 2018: A Review

Twist Collective has released their July 2018 issue, and it so happens to be their tenth anniversary issue. Let's congratulate them and have a look at it, shall we?

Metropolis. Not a bad little jacket. The collar sits well and the cable and pleat detail on the back make for a finished look.

Rockefeller. Nice, wearable piece. A sleeveless knit top with some interesting detail is such a useful piece for summer, because it can be dressed up or down, worn with nearly anything, and go nearly anywhere.

Heliotrope. Not bad. The ribbing detail gives the piece a contemporary feel.

Greenwich. This is quite a vivid, interesting piece. I'd put this shawl over a simple outfit.

Intrepid. Classic cabled cardigan.

Bellflower. Beautiful lacework in this one.

Alinea. This one's a rather interesting, modern-looking design. And though it has dropped shoulders, I think this is one of those rare exceptions when the dropped shoulders work so well with the design that it's unnecessary to fix them.

Deloraine. Pretty little lacy cardi for the warmer seasons.

Primp. This is cute, and has a couple of interesting twists. The ribbed cuffs and bottom are a nice touch, as is the way the triangular buttons echo the triangular lace motifs.

Concourse. Fabulously punchy. I couldn't not notice this one if I saw it on someone.

Windjammer. A crisp and lovely take on the classic Breton-stripe sweater.

Osculation. A very appealing contemporary-style wrap. I've used a photo that shows the entirety of the shawl, but as you can see from the other photos on the design's Ravelry page, it looks very good on.





Liminal. I like the back wrap detail, and the eyelet edging, but I've got my concerns about how flattering that A-line shape is likely to prove.

Eigengrau. That fair isle pattern is fantastic.

Aerial. This one has a certain minimalist appeal.

Solaris. Rather a nice piece with some pretty lace detailing.

Glint. What a darling little capelet.

Donastia. I would work the lace pattern in the sleeves all the way to the top of the raglan for this one rather than having the top part of the sleeve in stockinette, which creates a dropped shoulder effect.

Awelan. This is a rather graceful, flowy, layering piece.

Casablanca. Another eye-catching, contemporary-style shawl.

Twist Collective May 2018: A Review

In today's post we're going to have a look at Twist Collective's May issue.

Sway. This unstructured, minimalist piece is not my kind of design, but I have to admit that that it seems to hang fairly well (important, because how much time is the wearer going to spend clutching it about herself?) and that the play of colour is visually interesting.

Gloxinia. A fabulous piece of lacework.

Petrina. A simple summer or layering piece with just enough detail to make it interesting.

Chilston. Another exquisite lace shawl.

Esplanade. This one is fun and smart and sporty, and very wearable.

Montpelier. Another beautiful shawl, with a modern twist in its stripe pattern. I'm not too thrilled with this colour palette (I think it's the yellow, which I'd replace with damn near any other colour), but that's easily corrected.

Prickly Pear. This has an unfinished and ill-fitting look. Finishing the edges would help it sit better at the bottom, and it could probably do with some waist-shaping.

Harlow. I particularly like this one. The stitchwork on the front has an Art Deco-like appeal.

Allium. Not bad. I think this is one I'd do in a more interesting yarn.

MacGregor. Nice piece. I like all the detail around the edges and up the sides. I think I'd fix those dropped shoulders though, which would both make the shoulders more flattering and neaten up the fit a bit.

Delphic Grove. The stitchwork in this wrap is gorgeous, and it drapes beautifully.

Bette. This one's a simple, wearable piece, though I think I'd neaten up the fit a bit. The edgings and the back buttoned style give it a bit of interest.

Talaitha. A fourth beautiful shawl. This one reminds me of an Edwardian chemise, probably because of the combination of white and eyelets.

Sunapee. This well-shaped and nicely detailed, and the split lace sleeves are interesting, though I'm not sure how wearable they'd prove. For me at least -- the one time I made a dress with split cap sleeves, I wound up stitching them together because I couldn't stand them flapping limply about and showing the wrong side of the fabric. These are split on the bottom, don't show their wrong side, and seem to hang pretty well, so I think they are pretty workable.