Cast On Spring 2019: A Review

Cast On has released their Spring 2019 issue. Let's have a look at it, shall we?

Accordion Cowl. I'd like to see this cowl and set of decorative cinches in a more sophisticated palette, and modelled on a person. Looking at them as they are leaves me feeling like I'm looking at some sort of strange bathroom cozies, and trying to imagine exactly what sort of personal care implements they would be for.

Buttoned Cup Cozy. These look a little rough and ready. Not that I've ever been one to care to use a cup cozy. They'd get stained with tea or coffee so quickly.

Crochet-Knit Shell Pillow. Very pretty. Covering your pillow form with an interesting contrasting or complementary fabric could be a nice extra touch for this piece, since so much of it is on view under the lace.

Delicately Warm. It's a well-shaped tank, but that is one unattractive variegated yarn.

Fox Happiness. Adorable!

Indian Cross Pillow. Another beautiful cushion cover with great stitchwork.

Intarsia Puntas Top. The colour blocking, interesting edging, and shaping give this simple tank such a sophisticated, polished edge.

Kirwa Shawl. Nice stitchwork, but this project deserved a more attractive yarn.

Lace Sweater with Godets. I'm impressed that this designer managed to combine such complex shaping with such intricate lacework so impeccably.

Linen CoverUp. This is an okay beach cover-up, but I have seen better.

Lorica of St. Patrick. Classic cabled men's sweater.

My Garden Window. What a pretty little stole.

Poppies. This lovely little jacket would be a great way to ease into the techniques of steeking and mitred corners.

Seafoam Top. This is a rather nice little cardigan, but that wretched magenta variegated yarn (I mean, whyyyyyyyy????) is giving me such a case of retina burn that I can barely look at it.

Shower Stitch Jumper. Lovely little girl's dress.

Spring Shower Socks. I can't say I exactly crave thigh-high socks in the spring, but okay.

The Rocky Hills. Very attractive shawl.

Twillingate Cardigan. This isn't at all a bad piece, but man is that long narrow silhouette a difficult one for a woman to pull off. I'd skip that bottom panel, and perhaps just edge the bottom with that lace mesh stitch.

Weaving Diamonds Sweater. Very much like the combination of a stranded pattern, colour blocking, and saddle shoulder construction, which makes for an eye-catching total look.

Interweave Knits Spring 2019: A Review

Interweave Knits has released its Spring 2019 issue. Let's have a look at it, shall we?

Hydrangea Cardigan. Excellent shaping and stitchwork.

Gardenia Stole. Such beautiful lacework.

Iris Cowl. Gorgeous lacework.

Cattleya Pullover. After the past three designs, arriving at this one feels like being dropped from a great height. The bagginess isn't helping the variegated yarn, and the variegated yarn isn't helping the bagginess.

Geranium Shawl. A lovely lace shawl.

Rose Bush Pullover. Very attractive, wearable piece.

Celosia Pullover. Such a delicately pretty look.

Begonia Pullover. Very much like this one, which the designer has somehow managed to give both a contemporary vibe and a classic feel.

Eucalyptus Pullover. An attractive, wearable piece.

Horehound Henley. This henley with its contrast colour ribbing is simple but not boring, which is a good balance to strike. One could also have some fun with planning the colour combination for this one.

Verbena Cardigan. Not bad. I'm not so sold on the extra-wide button and button hole bands, or the sit of the collar, but the texture is attractive.

Thyme Hat. Classic knit cap.

Rock Salt Gansey. With its attractive bodice and gracefully shaped neckline, this is a pleasing new take on the traditional gansey.

Fennel Cardigan. Classic cabled cardigan.

Buds Pullover. Classic turtleneck with some interesting texture.

Sunchokes Pullover. Very handsome piece. I like the combination of the classic cables with the contemporary-style drawstring fennelneck.

Cast On Winter 2018/2019: A Review

Cast On has released their Winter 2018/2019 issue. Let's have a look at it, shall we?

A Leaf Unfurled. What a lovely, polished cowl.

Almost Argyle Sweater. This one has a playful, fun concept, and would be a good way to use up some small amounts of yarn.

Austin. Love the "threaded ribbon" effect of the dash and dot pattern.

Avila Breeze. This one has attractive stitchwork and a rather elegant look to it.

Book of Kells Sweater. I'm always an easy sell on Celtic designs. I think I would reposition the decorative panel a few inches to the south, though.

Cliffs of Moher Shawl. Such great texture.

Easy-Peasy Cabled Fingerless Mitts. Classic cabled mitts.

Fleur-de-Lis Cowl. Not such a fan of this one, but then the colour scheme isn't doing anything for it.

Gnome Hat. Cute children's hat. I'd be tempted to put a fake beard on the kid too, but then that's me.

Harmonious Echo. Classic cabled pullover.

Heart Sweater. This is rather girlish and fetching, but it does deserve a more fun colour.

Horizons Top. This has a seventies vibe to it, but not in a good way. Maybe I'd like it better in another colourway?

Incan Headband. I'm not sure how many people could carry off this look.

Kim and Greer. Fun concept, but those flowers aren't rendered all that well -- they look a little spindly and flattened.

Megane Hat. That's a eye-catching effect.

Megane Mittens. These and the hat above would make a nice set.

Minuet Shawl. Classic lace shawl.

Solomon's Island Cardigan. Not bad, though I'd recommend another colour. Any other colour, for that matter.

Summer Breeze. This has an awkwardly proportioned look to it.

Swedish Block Scarf. Simple, attractive and wearable.

Therese Flip Doll. I have a bit of a thing for topsy-turvy dolls, but not for this particular one, which looks a little cobbled together.

Thrummed Booties. Very comfy. It always makes me smile that thrumming looks like little hearts.

Warm Things. Another pair of classic cabled mitts.

Wasp Wing Cardigan Redux. Some beautiful lacy stitchwork in this one.