Cast On Spring 2020: A Review

Cast On has released its Spring 2020 issue. Let's have a look at it, shall we?

Blackwater Mosaic Pullover. I like the mosaic bottom of this sweater, but am not sure I care for the colour-blocked sleeves, which make the sweater look like it's a short-sleeved number worn over a white long-sleeved t-shirt. I'd be inclined to work the bottom half of the sleeves in mosaic too.

CCB Cardigan. This one's a bit of a retina-searer, with its eighties-style day-glo colours. But of course there's no need to make it in these particular colours if they don't do it for you. I can see this being cute in a single colour in a mohair blend -- as long as the cropped length and boxy shape works for the wearer. It does tend to be a hard silhouette to carry off.

CCB Pullover. This is going to prove a much more wearable version than the cropped cardigan take above. But I'd add some waist shaping, and go with another colourway.

Cable and Rib Sweater. This one has a classic, polished look to it.

Crocus in the Snow Headband. There is some pretty stitchwork in this, and I love the evocative name of the pattern, but I can't imagine anyone I know actually wearing it.

Crosswind Tee. Nice piece. The shaping is good, and I like the telling detail at the hem and on the sleeves.

Hats for Kara. These are pretty basic, but they're certainly serviceable enough.

Heartbeat Pullover. Classic cabled pullover.

Hearts Hat. Cute hat. There is something about the heart shape that makes for an appealing design.

Intertwined Hearts Pullover. Love the elegant cable detail on this one.

Kendall Dress. Um, this one needed quite a bit more work. It looks both odd and unfinished.

Mandala Cowl. This one has an eye-catchingly different look to it, with its range of fair isle design devices and atypical colourway.

MCM Pillow. Simple but effective design.

Metropolitan Modular. I rather like the design of this colourblocked sweater, but not its colourway, which has a "this is what I had in my stash" look to it.

Njord Pullover. Nice top! I like the combination of the diamond pattern body with the ribbed sleeves and hem.





Old Moons Top. This is one of those designs that would be satisfying to make because of all the techniques one gets to use to make it, but wouldn't be so rewarding to wear. It would require a layering piece underneath, its empire waist will be problematic in terms of what figures it works on and what pieces it works with, and I don't think that back opening is flattering or even particularly attractive.

Rain Chain Pillow. Nice cushion!

Ripple Henley Sweater. This one is fun -- like a contemporary take on the Charlie Brown-style sweater.

Slipped Stitch Tablet. This is... okay. I guess when it comes to protective cases, I prefer a case that's closer to "elegant and polished" than it is to "toilet paper cosy".

Sort of Charlie Brown Vest. I don't know if anyone will believe me, but I swear I wrote the Charlie Brown reference in the Ripple Henley Sweater review above before I set eyes on this design. I like this take on the Charlie Brown vest as well -- the reference isn't so obvious as to be costume-y. Though the wearer should definitely take care when flying kites or kicking footballs while wearing it.

Wild Range Socks. Handsome socks.

Zig Zag Chevron Vest. I quite like this one, which has a smart thirties-era knitwear vibe -- and that is one of my very favourite knitwear vibes.

Interweave Knits Spring 2020: A Review

Interweave Knits has released its Spring & Summer 2020 issue with 13 designs in it that we can all knit now to calm our nerves, and put away for that happy if unspecified day when we all get to leave our homes again, and go somewhere where there are other people.

On a less facetious note, I'll just comment here that making/preparing clothing for oneself has always seemed to me to be an act of faith and hope: we plan and purchase and make things to wear because we presume we'll have the opportunity and need to wear them, that we'll be alive and well enough to have places to go and things to accomplish and people to see by the time the items are ready. So let's have the faith to look at these designs, and to dream of the things we might make with them, shall we? And, of course, also the critical ability to pass on/alter any design that won't truly work for us. Even a pandemic isn't going to make me lose my head and sign off on dropped shoulder designs.

Andes Mitts. These are presentable. Given the open texture, they seem more decorative than practical (i.e., warm, snag-resistant).

Arctic Headband. Heh, I actually initially thought this design was a hat in spite of its name when I saw the product shot in thumbnail. I suppose matching the yarn colour of this headband to your original hair colour would be one way to make your dark roots work for you. To get back on track in terms of an actual review of this pattern, this is quite a nice-looking, flattering piece.

Canopy Tee. This is rather nice top in that "barely there layering piece for summer" vein. I like the lacework in the front, with its Art Deco feel.

Castile Cardigan. Not bad. I love the stitchwork in this, but don't love the dropped shoulders, which make the sleeves look stumpy.

Devonshire Beanie. Cute hat.

Gilt Lace Cardigan. This is a sweet little summer cardigan.

Heartwood Cardigan. Another pretty light cardigan for warmer weather. I like that there's a corresponding lace panel on the back, and the little notches in the cuffs.

Íslenska Shawl. Interesting lacework, but I think this shawl needed more shaping to make it less afghan-like.





Kent Lamb Pullover. Very wearable and attractive. The hem "cables over a garter stitch" detail is a nice design twist. I'd nix the "side vent and slight mullet" touch.

Paihamu Hat. Nice cap, and that yarn looks so luscious I can almost feel it through the screen, which is not surprising given that it's a possum/silk/cashmere blend.

Sandness Cardigan. This looks like one of those cardigans that are a total comfort wear. That's an attractive cable pattern. I would raise the dropped shoulders somewhat, though just to the bottom of the cabled section, as raising it clear to the shoulder would not be possible on this design.

Sprigs Top. A very decent piece. The lacework is pretty.

Stratus Shawl. Very handsome shawl! The lacework is beautiful, and the three-tone look gives what would otherwise be a traditional piece a cool, contemporary vibe.

Knitscene Spring 2020: A Review

Knitscene has released its Spring 2020 issue. Let's take a look at it, shall we?

Alongside Slouch. Not a bad-looking minimalist slouch cap.

Arced Shawl. This one might have gone too far in the afghan direction, but its shaping keeps it wearable -- it seems to drape well. And it also looks as though it would be cozier than many of the shawl designs I see.

Arrows Shawl. Simple, pretty, and wearable.

Crosswise Top. Not a bad little top. The combination of mesh, heel stitch, and bubble-shaped elbow sleeves makes for a different look. I don't care for the way the wearer's bra straps show through the mesh, but then strapless bras and tank tops exist for a reason.

Currents Shawl. What lovely stitchwork.

Darts Pullover. I have quite a strong inclination for this kind of sweater design. This design is so simple overall that it will go with jeans or a skirt and can be worn nearly anywhere, while having just enough detail to make it visually interesting. The happy owner of this sweater will be able to wear it until it's worn out. But I would fix the dropped shoulders.

Ellipsoidal Shawl. Another beautiful piece of stitchwork.

Garter Grooves Cardigan. This cardi sits so poorly that it's frumpy even on this professional model.

Gauzy Tee. I kind of love this, which would be such an airy, pretty, casual piece for nice spring days. I would neaten up the fit though.

Herbage Tee. This top is very pretty and wearable, and probably almost universally flattering.





Netted Tank Top. Rather like the contemporary, casual vibe of this one.

Peaks & Valleys Shawl. This issue is really batting a thousand on its shawls.

Sidelong Tee. The overall design is fine. I'd neaten up the fit.

Swingy Top. Not bad, but I think I'd definitely go with the Herbage Tee in preference to this design, as its shape is easier to carry off and I like that the lacework appears at both the bottom and sleeve hems. The sleeves of this one look a little plain compared to the bottom hem.

Trilateral Cowl. Attractive contemporary-style pattern, and it sits well.

Trilogies Hat & Cowl. This one would be an excellent stash buster, and it's a nice-looking and wearable set.