Today marks a slight departure for the site. I have never reviewed a crochet magazine before, but have been asked a number of times over the years to consider doing so. I have finally come to the point of deciding I will try crochet design reviewing on for size, and see how I do with it and what the response is. I can crochet (the receipts are here and here), and have spoken out about the value of crochet, but am not as skilled at crochet as I am with knitting, so I hope you'll all bear with me as I take a stab -- or should I say a right hook? -- at reviewing Interweave Crochet's Winter 2020 issue.
Bergschrund Shrug. This isn't bad -- it hangs pretty well and is simple enough to work with a variety of looks. The back looks pretty good too.
But I can't say I care for the second suggested way to wear this shrug -- it has a choppy, awkward look, and I'd be inclined to think the wearer put it on in the dark and hasn't caught sight of herself in the mirror since.
Carmine Wrap. The Tunisian stitchwork looks a little crude for my liking, but kudos to the styling department, who have made this scarf look almost chic.
Catena Scarf. The two-colour relief is a pretty decent effect.
Chill Snowman. This is really cute, but I do get the feeling that this snowman would ignore me if I asked him for directions to the North Pole.
Cooper Scarf. Pretty basic, but wearable enough.
Drumlin Scarf. Love both the texture and the yarn used here, and this wrap drapes so well.
Esker Cowl. Nice use of a gradient yarn and a simple ridged texture.
Firn Capelet. I'm not really sold on this hooded capelet, which bears slightly too much resemblance to some kind of amorphous blob that is eating this woman's head.
Foldover Mitts. Not bad. I can't help but think wistfully how much they look like a ribbed pair of knitted mitts.;)
Journal Cover. I like the idea, but find the execution a little crude. I'd be inclined to sew the leather part to the crocheted part with a sewing machine rather than using that uneven running stitch. One can glimpse the original cover of the notebook at the bottom in one of the shots, which bugs me, but I don't know how those could be entirely hidden.
Kame Cowl. I don't much like this, but I think I'd like it better if it weren't for the colour scheme. Those gray and aqua colours do nothing for each other.
Ogive Cardigan. I have my suspicions as to how this pleasant little cardi sits and/or hangs when the wearer isn't pulling on it with both hands.
Randkluft Scarf. This has a haphazard, "crocheted out of scrap pieces of yarn which ran out in random points in the row" look.
Rimaye Cowl. I'm actually really digging the contemporary objet d'art vibe of this one. It's Tunisian crochet, which is why it looks so much like knitting.
Sashiko Clutch. Sashiko is a form of Japanese embroidery that dates back to the seventeenth century. The embroidery on this little clutch, which borrows from that tradition, is really quite smart and eye-catching.
Serac Pullover. The collar says, "Snuggle down and get comfortable!". The open stitch texture says, "Have an intimate encounter with every draft and protrusion/rough surface in your vicinity!" I can't deny I rather like the look of this piece, but it is wildly impractical.
Sheepback Scarf. Pretty wrap.
Wee Bandana. I suppose if you've always wanted to make your wee baby or widdle pet look like a wee outlaw, this might be just the thing. On a slightly more practical note, it will also work as a bib, and be a chance for beginner to expand their Tunisian crochet technique.
