Vogue Knitting Spring/Summer 2016: A Review

Vogue Knitting has released their Spring/Summer issue for 2016. Let's have a look at it, shall we?

Pattern #1, Lace Turtleneck. This is quite gorgeous. Though I for one would live in terror of snagging it on something.

Pattern #2, Leaf Lace Tank. Pretty, but I would go for a contrast colour camisole underneath, for, as we all know, "nude tone underwear" is practically never a match to anyone's skin tone and simply looks drearily utilitarian.

Pattern #3, Leaf Motif Wrap. I'm not usually a big fan of openwork designs, but I like this one. The holes are well-shaped and look like a pattern rather than just holes.

Pattern #4, Lace Jacket. Some beautiful lacework in this, and good shaping.

Pattern #5, Open Front Cardigan. This one would be a good way to dress up a simple, monochrome outfit.

Pattern #6, Sampler Jacket. The play of colour in this jacket is impressively artistic and painterly.

Pattern #7, Cocoon Cardigan. The shape of this one is a bit different -- it's a longer version of a shrug. I think it works, though I might reserve it for wear over relatively fitted outfits.

Pattern #8, Ribbed Arm Warmers. I quite like these, though the thought of wearing such things in summer makes me want to curl up and die.

Pattern #9, Cropped Lace Poncho. The real benefit of this one is that if you find you didn't bring enough enviro bags to the grocery store, you can just take this piece off and put your produce in it.

Pattern #10, Lace Wrap. This is quite lovely, though the psychedelic yarn choice, while a cool effect in itself, is making my eyes go out of focus.

Pattern #11, Graystone Harbor Shawl. Love the lacework in this one.

Pattern #12, Two-Colour Triangle Shawl. This one is actually quite cool, an artful mix of traditional lace and contemporary style. I think I'd want to go with a more interesting colour choice, though.

Pattern #13, A-Line Tunic. Not bad. I'd want to buy a few tops in complementary colours and patterns for wear underneath it in order to make the most of the front openwork panel.

Pattern #14, Knotted Cowl. The stitchwork is really good, and I can see this piece looking stylish on the right person and on the right outfit, but those knotted fringes would make me feel like I was wearing a macramé plant holder.

Pattern #15, Banded Lace Pullover. Can't say I care for the solid chest-level band on this. It looks too obviously like a bra. I'd go all the way with this one and make the whole thing in a lace pattern.

Pattern #16, Cross Stitch Vest. I don't think I've ever seen an effect quite like the "cross stitch" openwork stitch in this vest. I like the look, which gives the vest some interest and makes it summery.

Pattern #17, Lace Tunic. Some nice stitchwork in this, but I'd want to neaten up the fit and shorten those sleeves.

Pattern #18, Eyelet Pullover. Pretty lace summer sweater.

Pattern #19, Lace Tank. Love both the delicate lacework and the subtly coloured yarn used here.

Pattern #20, Lacy Poncho. The real benefit of this one is that if the wearer ever gets tired of it, she can hang it up over her kitchen window.

Pattern #21, Cap-Sleeve Top. Pretty, and the lacework is nice, but I don't think I could resist adding some ribbing or a crocheted edging at the neckline, armholes, and hemline to make it look a little more finished.

Pattern #22, Retro Intimates. These are a lovely nod to lingerie of the past, and the model does look fetching, but they're not terribly practical, as the bra would offer little support to women who need support, and knitted underwear would be too thick to be wearable under very many outfits. But then perhaps it's intended to be worn on, er, special occasions, and for a maximum of five minutes.

Cast On Spring 2016: A Review

I was unable to review the Spring 2016 issue of Cast On when it came out a few months ago because preview pictures weren't available on The Knitting Guild's Association website. The preview pictures still aren't available on the TKGA website, but they have appeared on Ravelry, so now I can do not only the Spring 2016 issue but also the Summer 2016 issue that has appeared since. Let's begin with the Spring 2016 issue.

Clara. I like the top, which has good shaping and nice stitchwork, but that is one unattractively muddy colour.

Eyelet Yoke Pullover. Pretty and useful little summer top.

Helix Spiral Pillow. This is what a helix looks like. This cushion does not look like a helix, but rather like something out of the back pages of a seventies homemaking magazine.

This also does not look like a helix, but rather like something that was stolen from the wardrobe department of a Muppet movie set.

Hourglass Eyelet Socks. Pretty.

Keyhole Pullover. Very simple, but it's well-shaped and the keyhole detail is eye-catching.

Love Bird Jumper. What a sweet little look. I think I'd edge the neck opening and armholes in the contrast colour though, as the top of this jumper looks a little too plain as is.

Love Birds. This is so cute without being so cutesy that a grown woman can't wear it. The shaping is great and the detailed cuffs and hem give it a nicely polished look.

Not Your Mom's Vest. Love this one, which is both polished and subtly sexy. The pictures show it styled over both a little tank and a fitted white shirt, and it looks good either way.

Openwork Pullover. Not a fan of this one, which looks stretched out and shapeless.

Opposing Spirals Pillow. This is very "granny frump", something I would expect to find on a prickly sofa, sitting against a granny square afghan, with possibly an African violet sitting on a doily beside a copy of Reader's Digest on the nearby end table.

Palindrome Headband. Not bad. I prefer silk scarves for headbands, though, as it's easier to adjust them to the needed width or snugness, and they look more polished.





Pleated Linen Shirt. Can't say I find this one appealing. It's so very plain except for the pleats in the back, which aren't really adding anything. They're just sort of... there.

Polka Dot Lace Skirt/Crop Top. The skirt here is actually two skirts: a long lacy overskirt and a mid-thigh length stockinette underskirt, which are knitted separately and then knitted together at the waistband. The lines are good, and this is rather a fetching summer look for the woman who doesn't mind showing some skin. I'd made the underskirt the same colour as the overskirt, though, as making it in white makes it look a little girdle-like.





Spring Cardi. This isn't a bad look, and it's rather a clever piece of modern design, but I don't think I could wear it, as asymmetry always aggravates my OCD-like tendencies and I'd keep tugging on it and trying to "fix it". Also, I wouldn't be able to get past the conviction that I looked as though I'd gotten dressed in the dark. While hungover.





Squiggle Lace Top. I like this one, which has good shaping and some nice side details, but I would wear it by itself rather than over a long-sleeved t-shirt. Putting the long sleeves under it gives it a dowdy, dorky look.

Knitter's Magazine 122: A Review

Knitter's Magazine has released issue 122. Let's have a look at it.

Coral Camo. This is so bathmat, and not even in a good "serene luxury spa" kind of way, but rather in a "let's match this to the toilet paper cosy" kind of way.

Seafoam & Coral Top. This is rather fetching. I'm liking the seashell colourway, the varied stitchwork, and the summery airiness of it.

Seafoam & Coral Skirt. I like this a lot too. The side panel with the vertical stripes is what makes this design. And I would never have thought of putting the top above with this skirt, but they do work very well together.

Fresh Lilac. Very pretty! It looks well from both front and back and will make a very useful summer topper.

Water & Waves. Such beautiful lacework in this.

Little Linen Patches. Another nice one. The linen stitch checks made for an attractive and interesting effect.

Sprouts in Spring. Very pretty cardigan. This is a good design for showcasing a beautiful yarn, and indeed, the handpainted yarn used here is lovely.

Seaglass Stripes. Some good lines and texture in this one.

Pressed Petals. Quite nice. The leaf detail shown in the background photo is from the back.

Basalt Bands. I have a weakness for this kind of textured jacket, and this one is really kind of fabulous. The intricate stitchwork is really impressive. The peplum won't be flattering on every woman, but this is a great piece.

Bark & Branches. Big needle knits aren't usually my thing, but I like this one. It sits so well and has great texture.

Woodland Sunset. I'm not entirely sold on the extra bulk at the shoulders of this one, but the lines are good overall and I like the yarn.

Garden Walk. Not bad, though I would go for a neater fit.

Flippy Ribs. Cute and sporty.

Monarch Stripes. So the monarch butterflies are dying in record numbers and you offer them the final insult of this badly shaped and retina-searing vest, and even put it on the cover? Why, Knitter's Magazine? Why?

Technicolor Plaid Shawl. Very attractive and fun wrap.

Technicolor Plaid Blanket. Fabulous! The stitchwork is excellent and those colours are a feast for the eyes.