Interweave Knits Summer 2016: A Review

Interweave Knits has released its Summer 2016 issue. Let's have a look at it.

Cruz Shawl. This is a lovely piece of lacework that I am trying very hard not to associate with a certain former American presidential hopeful.

Catalina Shawl. Gorgeous.





Ventura Tank. Well shaped, nicely detailed, and I love the back.

Anacapa wrap. Beautiful.

Venice Top. The yoke is a nice piece of design, but the bottom is so shapeless and frumpy even on this model, and I don't know what's going on at the centre point of the bottom of the yoke, but whatever it is, it looks like a hole and a mistake.

Rosa Wrap. Another attractive shawl.

Clemente Tank. This is rather fetching and stylish in a contemporary sort of way. I wouldn't want to wear anything with this sort of loose front panel as it adds bulk and I don't need my front bulked up to a greater extent than nature has already done, but it could look quite good on a smaller-breasted woman, and I love the back.

Kingston Tank. Not bad. The lace side panels are a nice touch. I'd consider making this a little longer so that it could be worn as a beach coverup.

Pierpoint Shawl. Lovely. This is definitely an issue for lace shawl lovers.

Rimrock Vest. Useful and rather handsome little piece.

Two Tree Cardigan. The stitchwork is attractive and the shaping isn't bad overall, but I do wish those open fronts sat a little bit better.

Crossroads Carryall. This is a nice-looking classic bag -- it's like a knitted equivalent to the iconic Land's End tote. It's lined, which will make it reasonably sturdy.

Rivers Blanket. This is quite attractive and cleverly designed. The designer has gone with a Hudson's Bay blanket-inspired colourway, which does look nice, but I'm imagining it in a lot of other palettes as well.

Timbers Sweater. Classic shawl-collared men's sweater.

Harding Cardigan. Quite like this one. It sits so well, and it has a certain relaxed elegance to it.

Trail Henley. This is a comfortable and nice-looking piece.

Pinewood Pullover. Good shaping (I do love a ballet neckline), and the stitchwork is attractive.

Pathway Tee. Nice shaping, and the lacy back gives it all the interest it needs.

Santa Fe Belt. This is a little boho for me in style, but there's no denying that this belt is well and carefully designed.

As a bonus, Interweave Knits offers sewing patterns for these two sewn items, the Chief Joseph Skirt and the Whisperwool Clutch. I'm not thrilled with either pattern, as the skirt doesn't have particularly good lines and the clutch looks like something slapped together, but if you find them appealing, there are patterns available at the links provided.

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.