Twist Collective Fall 2017: A Review

Twist Collective has released its Fall 2017 issue. Let's have a look at it.

Aam Panna. Some pretty lacework in this one.

Safdie. The combination of a dropped shoulder and a cropped sleeve length always makes for such an awkward-looking sleeve. But those things are easily changed if you feel the same way.

Farro. This one actually made me catch my breath slightly. What fabulous, dramatic lacework.

Scarrington. A handsome classic sweater.

Mangrove. Interesting stitchwork in this one.

Allegheny. The cables and shaping are attractive, but I have my suspicions about how those front edges are going to look when they aren't being held in place.

Belem. Nice! I like the shoulder detail.

Iznik. Intricately pretty mittens.

Espe. Lovely, and it drapes so well. I like the gradient effect as well.

Bereza. Love the stitchwork in this one.

L'ascenseur. Oooh, love this. The combination of a crocheted lattice over a reverse stockinette background worked in two analogous colours really makes for something strikingly different.

Helenium. This brioche tulip yoke is ever so pretty.

Twist Collective Winter 2017: A Review

Twist Collective has released their Winter 2017 issue, and it's a very solid effort from them, with barely a thing in it I wouldn't make and/or wear myself. Also, there were three articles in it that I recommend: one excellent article on sleeve shapes; another on various hem finishes; and, for sheer what-the-hell value, one article on Canadian dance company Corpus' production Les Mouton ("The Sheep"), a live art installation in which three dancers dressed as sheep, are "herded, penned, fed, milked, and sheared. They bleat, eat, and copulate (not too graphically), escape into the audience, let children and adults feed and pet them, or just stand and stare into space as sheep are wont to do." It sounds hilariously bizarre, and I want to see Les Mouton myself.

But let's have a look at the designs in this issue, shall we?

Cranston. A handsome cabled cardigan.

Fenugreek. VERY nice hat and gloves set.

Epidote. Another nice take on a classic cabled cardigan.

Hashtag. #nicework

Arise. That is some very impressive lacework.

Merriment. An attractive Fair Isle hat and mitts set.

Cloudburst. I'm usually a hard sell on drape front sweaters, but I like this one. It's well shaped, it drapes beautifully, and that lace mohair looks simply decadent.

Hearthstone. Some excellent cabling in this one, highlighted by an argyle-like tracing of contrast colour on one side and around the hem. It's a subtle but very effective extra touch.

Abri. Love this little floral motif. It's playful and pretty in an adult way.

Illicium. Love the stitchwork in afghan, but it deserved a better colour palette.

Arcturus. Another impressive shawl. I'm especially taken by the almost quilted effect of the stitchwork.

Aniseed. Another lovely shawl.

Confectionary. Very wearable and nice-looking design on the whole, but I'm not liking those very openwork raglan seams. They look too messy and like a mistake.

Wafla. I like the waffle and tuck-like texture, but the front does not sit well.

Macoun. Another handsome cabled classic.

Palazzetto. I'm quite liking this contemporary capelet.

Frostpane. Very nicely finished, and I like the combination of cable and lace.

Caulkins. A comfy classic.

Bay Laurel. Oooh, so pretty. I like the leaf effect, and that is one nicely finished neckline.

Tourelle. Another good-looking cabled design.

Twist Collection Fall 2016: A Review

Twist Collective has released its Fall 2016 issue! Let's have a look at it.

Rumford. A classic with some nice stitchwork.

Carrick. I wouldn't wear this because I don't care to add more bulk to my chest area given that it's plenty bulky already, but I have to admit the exaggerated size of the cable isn't a bad effect.

Coax. Not bad. The ripple effect is not a favourite look of mine, so that's making me tepid on this one. I think a more subtle colourway might do more for this one.

Windvine. Love this one. The intricate cables and the shaping are perfect.

Byway. A very decent piece. The way the cables turn under the pockets is an original and effective touch.

Sangria. A smart and useful little cardi.

Proscenium. I like this one, with its relaxed, country feel. The side buttons are a different touch.

Wickford. Very attractive cardigan. That collar sits so well and the cable detailing is good.

Carnelian. The sleeve detailing on this one is excellent but the body looks shapeless and bulky by contrast. The design has a certain "eighties-era Shaker knit decided to morph into something better but changed its mind 40% of the way into the process" feel to it.

Sinua. Very pretty cable and lace stitchwork on this one.

Echinacea. Nice set. I very much like the stylized floral design.

Bibelot. I do like a theme knit that's cute and whimsical in an adult way. The devices here look a little steampunk-ish.

Lithograph. The hem's very attractive but those lines criss-crossing the body look more than a little straggly.

Dulcia. Another nice little cardi.

Svaritifoss. I'm loving this "lace over stockinette" effect and would love to see the technique explored further.

Saplings. I love a good tree-themed knit, and these mittens are as good an example of that design category as I've seen. The designer has used the shape of the mitten to define the tree, and it works beautifully.

Eyebright. A lovely little wrap.

Naturalist. Classic ganseys. Adding a contrast colour at the cuffs, neckband, and waistbands isn't a bad way to freshen up the look.

Efflore. Nice set. I love the stylized leaf outline.

Smoky Lake. Classic double-breasted cardigan. About which my only complaint is the one I usually make about double-breasted patterns: that it looks great when buttoned up, and bad when worn open.

Pavers. Very nice set. The unusual double-line cable effect gives it interest and sophistication.

Mosey. A good-looking design in both the the male and the female version. The endless variations possible with cables never fails to amaze me. There's always a way to freshen up this centuries-old knitting technique.

Antrea. Nice set. I'm liking the dimensional effect created by the combination of cables and ribs.