Twist Collective Spring 2016: A Review

Twist Collective has released their Spring 2016 issue. Let's have a look at it, shall we?

Keystone. Nice classic piece.

Bosquet shawl. Some very attractive lacework in these.

Anyolite top. Some good detailing and nice shaping.

Zellige pullover. Love this one. The yoke design is really striking.

Reticella cardigan. I think I'm going to have to keep this one in mind for the cream cotton cardigan I want to make myself next year.

Flechir shawl. I like this one on the whole, but the slightly rolled edges and the ribbed vein-like lines do give a slightly rough look.

Wrought. Really pleasingly balanced piece.

Azulejos shawl. Some elegant contemporary lacework here.

Cassabana sweater. Not really taken with this one. I can't say it isn't shaped or finished, because it is, but it has a certain draggled look to it. Also that line of dropped stitches in the front will reveal the wearer's bra.

Unnathi shawl. Some really beautiful, intricate lacework in this one.

Kimberlite top. Quite like this one, with the interesting stitchwork on the side. It also has an unexpected keyhole detail in the back.

Cedri top. Useful and cute little summer top.

Ziarre cardigan. Nice little summer cardigan.

Papeda tank. Well-shaped piece with some nice lacy detailing at the neckline and side vents.

Rangoli shawl. Neither the tutti frutti colourway nor the mottled-looking stitchwork of this shawl are doing it for me.

Haden tank. Nice piece, though those buttons do nothing for it.

Rhodora shawl. Beautiful lacework.

Picard sweater. This design, and the eleven that follow it, are designs that have appeared in previous editions of Twist Collective. This one originally appeared in the Winter 2012 issue, which came out before I launched this site. The design is... okay. The collar doesn't seem like a particularly happy design choice, and I notice that a number of the Ravelry members who have made this design tweaked the collar in some way.

Ormond cardigan, from Summer 2011. It's a lovely classic item.

Gwendolyn, from Fall 2010. Nice-looking cabled hoodie. The contrast edging gives it a smart, sporty look.

Wingspan, from Fall 2010. I like this one, though the empire waistline isn't a great choice for the well-endowed woman. Even the model on the left can't quite carry off the look.

Flux cardigan, from Fall 2011. Love this one. Those intricately curving cables look fantastic.

Parcel pullover, from Winter 2010. Nice one. The chevrons feel more contemporary than the cables one might have expected the designer to go with.

Sympatico cardigan, from Fall 2012. This one is both retro and contemporary at the same time, and the choice of a yarn with a bit of angora in it gives the item a becoming softness.

Viridis, from Spring & Summer 2013. When I reviewed that issue, I wrote, "I very much like the Viridis jacket which has a beautiful lace front panel and good overall proportions and modern lines, but it's one that will have to be worn closed, because when worn open the front pieces are going to sag and the waist tie will trail. If you want to make this cardigan be prepared for that, and also be aware of the bulk it will add to the front of you as double-breasted styles inevitably do." I see it sits much better when worn open than I would have expected.

Kirigami pullover, from Winter 2009. I like the stripes and general lines of this piece, but that collar really detracts. It doesn't sit at all well.

Regent cardigan, from Spring & Summer 2012. Really attractive and gracefully shaped piece.

Jaali pullover, from Fall 2008. Flattering and wearable.

Epiphany, from Fall 2011. Very much like this one. I prefer the original colourway, which can be seen on the design's Ravelry page, but do think the sweater looks better in a neater fit as seen here. Epiphany was designed by Cheryl Burke, and she's a designer to keep an eye on, as she has a real gift for working with colour. The Mirry Dancers sweater was her work.

Love of Knitting Spring 2016: A Review

Interweave has added a new knitting magazine to their roster. It's called Love of Knitting. Let's have a look at its premiere issue, shall we?

Bold Stripes Jacket. I'm liking the playful stripes, but not the lack of shaping.

Chevron Vest. Again, I like the stripes, but not the shaping. This looks like its maker started to make an afghan, lost interest in the project, added some arm holes, and called it a day.

Circus Engineer. Cute! For the child in your life who is an aspiring engineer but also enjoys cuddly things.

Colorplay Crescent Lace Shawl. There's something about this combination of a classic, romantic shawl and a bold, modern use of colour that's very pleasing.

Crystal Chandelier Wrap. This looks more like an afghan than a wrap to me, though it is a lovely afghan, one worthy of a place on Charley Pride's couch.

Faux Cabled Cardigan. Very much like this one and would totally wear it myself.

Flower Tank. This is... okay. The yarn selection doesn't seem to be doing much for it, and it could use some waist shaping.

Graphic Knit/Purl Swatch-Cloth. That heart isn't terribly well-shaped.

Linen & Lace Wrap. Love this one. The colours are beautiful and it drapes well.

Platinum Jacket. This isn't a bad example of a loose-fitting cardigan, though styling it over a fussy, bunchy dress was not a happy thought.

Sailor's Stripes Raglan. This is ADORABLE. What a clever new take on the classic Breton stripe top.

Spring Breeze Vest. This is quite well-shaped, sits well, and has some lovely stitchwork. The name suits it, because it does look like a breezy little item for a woman to throw on over a variety of her summer outfits.

Springtime Lace Shawl. Attractive, classic piece.

Tea Time Top. Nice piece with good shaping and careful finishing. I would want to make this one in a more exciting colour, though. It could use a little pepping up.

Three Geometric Pillows. Three striking and effective designs.

ZigZag Scarf. Some really fantastic stitchwork in this one.

Knitscene Summer 2016: A Review

Knitscene has released its Summer 2016 issue. Let's have a look at it, shall we?

Lignon Cardigan. This one, with its asymmetrical collar detail, reminds me of a 4-H knitting project my sister once did when she was about 14. As she earnestly explained it to me and my mother, "I made a mistake in the back and didn't see it in time, so I made a matching one in the front, only I didn't get it as high." Other than the collar, I do like this piece with its dotted effect, and in the pictures where it is buttoned it is clear that it is a well-shaped piece.

Capillary Scarf. This one looks like a very long, skinny shopping bag.

Rosulate Tank. I'm not a fan of asymmetry, but this one is fine. Two ruffles would have been a little too precious, and the lacework and shaping are very good.

Cordia Tank. I haven't a fault to find with this one. Nicely finished piece, and I love that cinnamon red yarn.

Commelina Scarf. Both attractive and visually interesting.

Alpinia Tank. Liking the linear-style lacework on this one, which would make a nice cover up for the beach.

Helconia Wrap. This piece is not actually a wrap, as both its name and this picture suggest, but a loose cardigan. It's a lovely piece in terms of stitchwork and drape, if a little too Golden Girls in style for me.

Ipomoea Scarf. I can see this one going fairly well with very casual summer clothes.

Arundina Tee. Very fetching little top for summer. The yarn choice is particularly good for this design.

Mere Skirt. Lovely little airy piece for summer. This one would be such a welcome find in a woman's closet on a hot day.

Rogue Wave Socks. I like these socks on the whole, but they do look unfinished at the top, as though they just stop.

Buoyant Sweater. Not bad, and I do like the tie-dyed yarn used here, but I would fix those dropped shoulders.

Barachois Tunic. I actually rather like this one's minimalist, "she's come undun" style. Shorter women might have trouble carrying off the length, but it can always be scaled down to suit them.





Soliton Vest. The back of this item looks pretty good, but the front looks like an unfinished piece the model is trying on for size.

Seiche Tank. Love the lace detail on the yoke of this tank, though, as A-line shapes are not my friend, I'd be reshaping it.

Anil Cardigan. The lacework at the shoulders is pretty, but cardigan's general effect is that of a rumpled and stretched-out piece.

Tinctoria Tee. This mullet hem is working better and more stylishly than mullet hems usually do, but I think I'd still be making the front and back hems of equal length. The design is quite good otherwise, and this would make a useful overlayer for summer.

Billabong Tee. Another one of those minimal designs that work quite well. The shaping is good and the overall effect is "can't be bothered to dress up much and want to be cool and comfortable but still have style" -- which is the perfect chord to strike in summer.

Atoll Cowl. A light, simple cowl for summer.