Twist Collective September 2018: A Review

Today we're going to have a look at Twist Collective's September 2018 issue.

Maidstone. A classic wearable piece with some appealing stitchwork.

Cedar Hill. These open-front pieces are always a challenge because the front really needs to sit well... and this one doesn't.

Passerine. Oooh, pretty. I'm always a sucker for this sort of tracery design, especially when it involves birds and branches. There's something so charming about the effect.

Caspia. An attractively classic piece.

Parallax. I like the contemporary, graphic vibe of this scarf.

Dancing Meadow. So, so pretty.

Acacia. I like the concept of this one, and the stitchwork is perfect, but I would neaten up the fit a touch and nix the mullet hem.

Ostraka. This one's a little rough-looking for my liking, and I think it also needs a more interesting yarn.

Glenevin. I like this kind of pullover: it's simple and classic enough to go with everything, and yet has enough interest in its stitchwork and details that it will never look boring or unpolished.

Peryton. Fantastic stitchwork and shaping in this one.

Vogue Knitting Early Fall 2018: A Review

Today we're going to have a look at Vogue Knitting's Early Fall 2018 issue.

Pattern #01, Yoked Pullover. The yoke on this turtleneck is fabulous. What I wouldn't give to have a little more neck so that I might wear styles like this one.

Pattern #02, Tuck Stitch Yoked Pullover. Nice smocked effect on this one. It's a larger, looser fit than I would recommend, but it would be easy to make it a little smaller, and this is a design that suits a relaxed fit.

Pattern #03, Textured Yoke. Another comfy and attractive pullover. I'd neaten up the fit a little.

Pattern #04, Yoked Sweater. A very wearable, classic piece.

Pattern #05, Herringbone Tee. Not bad. This would be a bit on the thick and bulky side as to texture, but it has a certain smartness to its shape and gradient effect.

Pattern #06, Placket Neckline Poncho. I like the tweedy effect of the yarn, but I am sure I would find the shape cumbersome and unflattering. I'm not a fan of the poncho in general though, so your mileage may vary.

Pattern #07, Collegiate V-Neck. Cute and sporty little piece.

Pattern #08, Turtleneck Tunic. I rather like this one, which strikes me as a versatile piece that could be worn with trousers, leggings, or tights and boots. I would add a bit of waist shaping though.

Pattern #09, Gradient Cardigan. Not bad. The shaping is good, and I do like a gradient effect, though I think there are more interesting colourways to do it in.

Pattern #10, Hooded Poncho. Call me rigid, but I don't believe that one's knitwear should be large enough to house more than two people.

Pattern #11, Lace Dress. This one's an undeniable head turner, if not for the faint of heart.

Pattern #12, Cable Cardigan. The cabled texture is great, the lines of the design aren't bad, but I feel like this this one needed edge finishing and a front closure.

Pattern #13, Kimono Cardigan. This looks like neither a kimono nor a cardigan. This looks like an unfinished piece of knitting that's been slung around this woman's body.

Pattern #14, Openwork Tunic. This tunic can double as a shopping bag, but I think I'd use it solely as a shopping bag.

Pattern #15, Mesh Sleeve Pullover. A good, wearable piece. I like the idea of putting the texture on the sleeves.

Pattern #16, Tasseled Cowl. Not bad. As you can see from the photo on this pattern's Ravelry page, this cowl looks better when worn doubled around the neck. Wearing a cowl single strand like this tends to have that unfortunate "deflated inner tube" look.

Pattern #17, Buttoned Gradient Wrap. This one doesn't sit to advantage on the model, but I'm inclined to go easy on it because I like the colours and stitchwork.

Pattern #18, Poncho Fit Pullover. This one has a "frumpy thrift shop number from the 1980s" look to it.

Pattern #19, Ribbed Yoke. As soon as I saw this, I knew I'd seen it before, and indeed I had, as it originally appeared in Vogue Knitting's Winter 2001/02 issue, which I have in my collection. I liked the pattern then and I still like it, but I may need a little time to recover from the realization that a pattern from 2001 is old enough to "bring back".

Totes Adorable

Today we're going to have a look at the selection of tote bag patterns I've picked out. This post is the third in the series of five bag posts I've done -- I've also done posts on selected clutches/wristbags, handbags, messenger bags, and backpack designs.

The above pattern is the "Hello" Fair isle bag, from Bergère de France, although I think it could also be aptly named "the Hell Bag". Isn't there an expression about how one's life is "going to hell in a handbag"?

For those who feel unable to leave their Hudson's Bay blankie at home, I present this Felted Knot Bag, by k | knits.

Summer Fling, by Espace Tricot. A light, minimalist style bag. It's a free pattern.

ATX Linen Tote, by Staci Perry. Another light, sling-style bag with a smart stripe pattern. This bag and the one above aren't the bags for carrying a lot of stuff, but sometimes one doesn't need to carry a lot.

Plaid Squared, by Susan Rainey. This one looks both smart and sturdy.

Bedouin Bag in 3 Sizes, by Nora J. Bellows. These look as though they came from an expensive shop. The simple ridges add so much.

Felted Tote with Kureyon Scraps, by Janet D. Russell. This one would be an awesome stash buster.

Flock of Sheep Bag, by Denny Gould. How cute is this little bag?

Sand and Sea Felted Tote, by Maria Do Souto. Love the stitchwork on this one.

Felted Snowflake Tote, by Lion Brand Yarn. I really like that this one employs two complementary patterns.

Plein Air Tote, by Amanda Scheuzger. Love this one, though I believe I'd size it down a little, perhaps by using a slightly lighter yarn or smaller needles, as it does look awkwardly large.

The Bag, by Wendy Wonnacott, published in
No Sheep For You: Knit Happy with Cotton, Silk, Linen, Hemp, Bamboo, and Other Delights. The other sample photos on the Ravelry page for this design show other, more muted colourways, but this bag looks best in the sharp contrast of black and white.

Bar Harbor Shell Bag, by Madeline Langan. This would be a fun one to plan a colourway for.

Intricate Stag Bag, by Norah Gaughan. Love the stag graphic in this one.

Shigra Diamonds, by Vicki Square, published in Folk Bags: 30 Knitted Patterns & Tales From Around the World. Ooh, this colourful harlequin-like effect is a lot of fun.

The Medallion Travel Bag, by Nora J. Bellows. The stitchwork on this is fabulous.

The Fleur Tote, by Ann Kingstone. Very pretty!

Tree Hugger, by Vickie Howell, published in AwareKnits: Knit & Crochet Projects for the Eco-Conscious Stitcher. I love the Shaker-like image of the needled-felted tree on this one.

Everything Totes, by Nora J. Bellows. These are so polished, and they also look capacious.

Bird Bag, by Pierrot Yarns Patterns. This one has an attractive folk art appeal. It's a free pattern.

Felted Tribal Bag, by Lion Brand Yarn. This one would be just the thing to wear with ankara, kente, or dashiki print clothing. And it's a free pattern.

Celandine, by Diane Bertolatti. I like this one's simple shape and neutral tone. It could go just about anywhere with just about any woman's outfit.

Amethyst Organiser, by Diane Bertolatti. This one's fun, and it also looks practical, because handy little pockets are always a nice feature in a bag. Making your own bag can be such an advantage in terms of the bag's convenience, because you can customize the pockets by adding whatever size and style of pockets you want to the body or the lining.

Just So Bag, by Andrea Babb. This one's both polished and visually interesting.

Superb OWL: The Felted bag, by Deborah Tomasello. A cute bag for the owl-lovers among us.

Wheatsheaf Carpet Bag, by Linda Cyr. This one's definitely a stand out. I remember reviewing it when it appeared in Interweave's Jane Austen Knits in 2014. The bag gets its great shape from an internal frame, and those are the best felted handles I've ever seen -- they look as good as leather or vinyl handles in the same style. The pattern's lovely too.

Rose Window Tote, by Laura Barker. As someone who does stained glass, I am always here for stained glass effects in knitting, and this an especially pretty example of a "stained glass window" knit. I would replace those wimpy-looking straps with leather or vinyl ones, though.

Carpet Bag, by Susan Mills. Very much like the pattern on this bag. It's a free pattern.