Cast On Winter 2017/2018: A Review

Cast On has released its Winter 2017/2018 issue. Let's have a look at it.

A Vest for Gus. This vest has a chain of cars worked in purl stitches on a stockinette background. It's a cute idea, but the cars are so difficult to see.

Apurimac Hat. This one is fun and bright and irresistibly eye catching. The colour palette is also beautifully worked out and it's technically very accomplished.

Black and White Hat. This is so smart. I love the herringbone pattern.

Black and White Mittens. I'm not quite as thrilled with the mittens as I was with the hat. Pointy mittens always look absurd to me, even though I know it's a traditional style of very long standing.

Bubbles Tunic. I'm not sure this one is quite working. The overall style has a rather severe look and the bubble motif is a little too random and simplistic to work with it. I do like the idea of the contrast buttons at the cuffs and side vents that tie in to the intarsia design on the yoke, but I'd replace the bubbles with a more detailed motif.

Caprice. The combination of the confetti yarn square collar and cuffs against the gray body of this sweater is not working for me. It looks like something worn by a Puritan-era family oddball, such as daft Aunt Chastity, who thinks it's hilarious to recite the Ten Commandments out of order and lock people in the outhouse.

Celtic Night Cowl. Nice design, and I love that it's done in a off-beat colourway meant to represent the Northern Lights.

Destiny Fair Isle Tam. I think I like this one -- that tartan band is really well worked out -- but I wish I could see it a bit better in order to be sure.

Dragonfly Top. Oh, this is fabulous. I'm not sure I've ever seen dragonflies used as a motif in fair isle, but now I suddenly want to see more of them. The colour scheme has a misty, dreamy quality that works really well.

Dragonfly Ski Headband. I'd be inclined to work this as a tam rather than as a headband, but again the dragonfly motif is certainly very lovely regardless.

Icarus Infinity Scarf. This is quite an delicately elegant piece.

Nikko Cardigan. I'm not really liking the toggle closures on this one, as it has too crude a look for an otherwise fairly polished piece. I'd replace them with some attractive buttons, and fix the dropped shoulders, though admittedly they are only slightly dropped and could be left as is.

Nosegay Cardi. This is really lovely. I like the combination of the floral sprigs with the lattice-like lace, which gives it such a "summer afternoons in the summerhouse" feel.

Wheat Chain Socks. These are quite handsome.

Where the Snakes Went Poncho. The design is quite cool and even elegant... but as someone who is not a friend of the poncho, I can't help thinking what a nice afghan this would make.

Winter Morning Cocoa Socks. Very much like these. The snowflake and bare trees motifs encapsulated in diamonds is a really fun, creative take on the argyle sock.

Knitty Winter 2017: A Review

Let's have a look at Knitty's Winter 2017 issue, shall we?

Fallingbrook. An attractive cabled hat and mittens set.

Kate's Kitten. This is undeniably cute, but I think if I wanted to knit a cat, I'd rather knit a cat that looked like... a cat... rather than a Humpty Dumpty with ears.

Tiina. Nice! I'm liking the diamond cable effect.

Funny Ellada. This looks like something a Home Ec student turned in for the knitting component of their course work after cobbling it together in a few days, because the semester was over and it was either turn something in or fail the class altogether.

Tescherae. This one is absolutely fabulous and a visual treat.

Fylgje Shawl. This is an attractive modular shawl. I also think the basic idea could be used to make a lovely contemporary style afghan.

Isochronal Arc. The use of colour gives a contemporary feel to this lace capelet.

Carreau. Quite like this one. There's a smaller version of this pattern done in black and white, but I think it's the colourway of this one that makes the pattern.

Crusader. This cowl is a little too careless and random in style for my tastes, but I must admit that it works well as styled and worn here. The yarn is beautiful and the colours work well together and suit the model.

Ceibo. This isn't so much a design for a cropped top as it is a scarf with pretensions and sleeves.

Cool Bearing. This is totally cute, and in a way that's sophisticated enough for an adult to wear.

Oberon. Classic cabled cardigan.

Nukumori. These are a sort of abbreviated form of legwarmers -- kneewarmers, if you will. Though they've clearly been carefully designed (check out the shaping), they look a little awkward, as though they're going through a form of hosiery puberty that leaves them stranded somewhere between kneesocks and thigh highs.

Stellen. Love the lacework in these.

Battle of Wills. That is one snazzy-looking cable!

Instant Mash. I like the woven, cushy look of these children's mittens.

Skew Too. Simple, unadorned mitts. This is one of those patterns that would be a good choice for showcasing an interesting yarn.

Interweave Knits Winter 2018: A Review

Interweave Knits has released their Winter 2018 issue. Let's have a look at it!

Anchorage Cardigan. Good texture and shaping in this one.

Clinton Creek Hat. I'm liking the concept of a textured band and a stockinette body in a cap.

Dawson City Pullover. A lovely and classic fair isle yoke pullover.

Eagle Island Cardigan. This is a very attractive example of a Cowichan-style sweater, and it's also quite Dude-esque. I like the combination of gray, black, cream and red, as a nice change from the traditional black, grey, and white, or brown, tan, and white.

Elim Poncho. Some really lovely stitchwork in this one. I'm not as thrilled with the shape of this thing, but then I'm no fan of the poncho in general. It does drape well.

Grand Forks Pullover. Strikingly beautiful.

Grayling Cardigan. Another beautiful fair isle piece. I'm not crazy about the belt, which obscures some of the pretty pattern and does nothing to make the sweater sit attractively. Surely it would be better to shape this sweater at the waist.

Ibex Valley Mittens. Love the pinecone design, and these look super warm and cosy.

Iditarod Pullover. Fabulous cable patterns. I so need a broad-shouldered, hunky boyfriend to knit this for. Interested eligible bachelors are welcome to apply!

Klondike Pullover. Very decent piece with some interesting cable work.

Mount Lorne Pullover. So beautiful! That yoke is really fabulous.

Nome Pullover. The front cabling is good. I'm not crazy about the neckline, which is a bit too low and open for a man's sweater.

Rohn Pullover. Another lovely yoked sweater.

White Mountain Ruana. This has some great texture, but these loose, bulky, baggy numbers never really appeal to me much.

Whitehorse Pullover. Not bad, but I would fix those dropped shoulders. The sleeves look so absurdly short.

Yukon River Stockings. Ah, thigh high stockings for the sensible showgirl who wants to dance the can-can in Whitehorse without developing pneumonia. I kid because I love -- these are well-shaped and beautifully cabled, and they would be a good way to add some extra protection in extremely cold temperatures.