Twist Collective March 2018: A Review

In today's post, we're going to have a look at Twist Collective's March 2018 issue.

Rainier. This design has a detailed back, a plain front, and garter stitch side seams. And a mullet hem, but for some reason I'm not as ready to advise fixing it as I generally do. (I hope this doesn't mean that I'm softening on mullets in general, because that is one treacherously slippery slope.) This is overall a very decent, polished design.

Lusca. This shawl is both delicately pretty and visually interesting.

Verden. A classic cable and lace pullover with a very slight mullet hem.

Ninfa. This is quite a pretty and intricately stitched cowl.

Gramercy Park. Quite a pretty summer sweater. The lace work is really lovely.

Trinket. I like the alternating diagonal lace and garter stitch panels in this scarf, which gives it a contemporary feel.





Maida. The front view isn't bad, but the back does have an unfortunate patched-together look.

Inachis. Another cable and lace effort. It's not bad. It's a little small on this model, which is detracting a bit. Good fit is so important.

Birdwatcher. Love this mitts and cowl set, with its elegant and fanciful birds and tree branch design. This would have been my pick for the cover design.

Farnia. Not too taken with this one. I'm not a fan of the "edge loop" buttonhole style, because the side edges tend to pull apart (as they are doing here), which makes the sweater look too small on its wearer. I also don't tend to like the rolled edge effect on necklines and sleeves and hems, because it looks unfinished. The stitchwork around the bottom is quite attractive, but otherwise this cardi looks like it needs some more work.

Barling. This is quite fetching. I'm liking the effect created by the horizontal sleeve and yoke lacework construction, and the simple detailing through the body.

Damhsa. The "candy floss and split pea soup" colourway of this shawl isn't for me, but once I look past that I love the design. Garter stitch tends to have a "beginner project" look and it's always nice to see an accomplished designer turn out a carefully polished and finished garter stitch project. The shaping of this shawl is excellent and it consequently sits and drapes beautifully, the edges are crocheted, and the decorative cable running along the hem is all the detail it needs.

Woodbury. A classic and well-shaped eyelet lace sweater.

Coppice. This is ever so cute. The shaping and stitchwork are all good, and those contrasting buttons really make the look. I'm getting a sudden urge to make a cardi with fun buttons.

Chimera. This one's a bit afghan-y for my liking, but I must admit that this wrap drapes well in all the shots on this design's Ravelry page, that the lacework is very attractive, and that it would be fun to put together a colourway for this project.

Brooksby. This is a pleasant little number. The shaping and stitchwork are good, and the slight flare in the cuffs gives the pullover a bit of verve.





Reveal. Another nice summer cardi, with some inventive cable detailing.

42nd Street. A classic pair of lace and cable socks.

Italic. This is decent, but I can't help thinking a more finished type of edging would have done more for this sweater than these rolled edges.

Twist Collective January 2018: A Review

Twist Collective has released its January 2018 issue. Let's have a look at it.

Framework. This is a very decent contemporary take on the turtleneck.

Beringer. Classic cabled pullover.

Undercut. Some very pretty lacework in this one. I love the back.

Decalage. Another classic cabled pullover. It's hard to go wrong with this kind of design.

Sardonyx. Some beautiful stitchwork in this kimono-style cardigan, and it hangs well.

Rhona. More classic cables, this time on a cardigan rather than a pullover.

Interlaken. Now here's something different. Shaping is good, stitchwork is attractive and interesting, and the overall effect is definitely eye-catching. I think I might do this in a different colourway that didn't have such a stark difference between the body and the yoke and sleeves, because at first glance this comes across as a shrug worn over a pullover rather than an integrated sweater.

Nouveau. This is a beautiful cardigan, but I don't think I care for the ten or so inches of unbuttoned front edges below the waist, which has an awkward, "gaping open" look. I'd make this piece shorter and button it all way to the bottom.

Thunderbolt. Nice piece. Fresh, contemporary design themes for yokes seems to be turning into one of my design sweet spots.

Bilberry. A nice classic hat, mittens, and cowl set.

Aubin. Fabulous stitchwork in this one!

Cabrillo. This is also a nice set. It would be fun to pick out a colourway for this one.

Alizeh. A very attractive Celtic-themed wrap.

Vervain. These are very smart, and the pattern is so attractively intricate that it's a pleasure to look at.

Anabiel. Love the stitchwork in this one.

Mill Creek. This one looks attractive from a distance, but alas, when I take a close look at the design, I find I see some sort of... little turd creatures. Is it just me? And if so, should I find a Freudian psychoanalyst?

Rebe. Oooh, I love the elegant iris-like pattern in this one, and the way the ribbing around the edge has been angled to form part of the design. I don't like the dirty mustard colour used to make it at all, but if you share my dislike of mustard yellow, that is so easily remedied.

Mishmash. These are cute and fun.

Ribbon Candy. It would be fun to pick out colours for this one.

Yojimbo. Love the patterns on this shawl, and they work so well in combination and make for such a sharp-looking wrap.

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.