Knitscene Spring 2017: A Review

Knitscene has released their Spring 2017 issue. Let's have a look at what's happening on this particular knitted scene, shall we?

Artisan's Vest. When I began to assess this item, I was uncertain as to whether I liked it or not for some long minutes, but then I realized what I really don't like is the styling, which does nothing for this vest. The vest itself has an original texture and careful finishing.

Dean's Cardigan. This has excellent texture and a good shape, but although the elbow patches have a certain whimsy, I don't know how much they're adding to the overall look.

Desert Flower Shawl. A lovely piece. It's pretty without being too delicate to be practical, and that's one appealing blend of colours.

Director's Vest. A simple yet effective and wearable piece.

Drafter's Cardigan. A pretty lacy-front cardi.

Geographer's Sweater. I very much like this one, with its pretty, polished detailing. Can't say the same for the dork styling Knitscene chose for this photo shoot. I half expected to see a pocket protector and glasses with tape on them before I came to the end of it.

Hitchhiker Tee. A nice little top with pretty touches of lace. I do like these little knitted tops, which go with everything from a office-appropriate skirt or trousers to jeans for running errands and shorts at the beach.

Hustle Shrug. This has that "shrunk in the wash" look and the embroidery looks as though it were designed by a ten-year-old.

Ironwood Shawl. An attractive and sensible shawl.

Outlaws Skirt. I wish I could have seen this one modelled. As it is, I feel inclined to put a seam in one end and zipper in the other and call it a cushion. However, this skirt appeared on Mindy Kaling in an episode of The Mindy Project, so I assume it must look pretty good on, and I like the hem detail quite a lot.

Red Clay Top. Quite an attractive, wearable design, though I can't say I care for that muddy colour.

Residential Vest. Very nice. The cabling on this vest is beautifully rendered.

Solea Shawl. A nice shawl design. I never have cared for the southwestern-style combination of brick red and mustard, but that's just a personal preference.

Sunflower Wrap. This one, with its arbitrary sections of lattice and fringe (with curling edges) and plain stockinette, looks more like a large, experimental swatch than a finished design.

Wilderness Cardigan. This is okay. It would make a relaxed, go-with-everything extra layer for unexpected cool days and nights in the summer.

Writer's Top. I'm not sure I understand what makes this a writer's top. Is it that the shoulder detail looks like a broken, and possibly beaten, pencil? If so, I'm not quite seeing the point -- literally or figuratively.

Creative Knitting Spring 2017: A Review

Creative Knitting has released its Spring 2017 issue. Let's have a look at it, shall we?

Calypso Cowlette. Not a bad piece at all. It has a certain casual chicness.

Lace Sampler. This one has an unfortunate heavy, poncho-like feel.

On the Fringes. Those fringes would drive me insane, but of course they could always be shortened.

Tipsoo Cowl. Another pretty, casual little accessory.

All Tied Up. The high-riding tie is unusual but I can't say it's unattractive or unflattering. This piece could have done with a more interesting yarn.

It's All About the Back. This is rather fetching, though it does look a bit baggy through the body.

Serendipity Shawl. This is rather pretty. I love the sandstone-like colours.

Sheer Comfort. This one has a "I'm wearing my shopping bags to the grocery store in order to keep my hands free" look.

Smoky Mountain Scarf. Not a bad-looking scarf, but I'm not crazy about the slits. They look like a mistake.

Balasana Bolster. This is okay, but perhaps a tad phallic for my liking. But then that may be a selling point for you. I don't know your Freudian symbol comfort level.

Om Ah Hum Pillow. Simple and pleasant-looking enough. I think it might need a more interesting yarn.

Serenity Cushion. This is... okay. I'd use a more interesting colour combination for this one.

Shavasana. An attractive simple throw for a beginner.

Eyelet Lace Raglan Cardigan. Standard lacy summer cardigan. The instructions for this one offers six lace patterns and a pullover option so that you can tweak the pattern to your liking.

Lace Tee. This design, like the previous one, can be done in one of six optional lace patterns and made as a tee or a tank, and again like the previous pattern, is standard knitting pattern fare. There were patterns just like this one in knitting and women's magazines twenty-five years ago. It's okay, but I'd go for something a little more interesting and stylish, myself.

Girder. The lace is nice, but I am not liking that big seam down the middle. It really detracts.

Hint of Spring. I rather like this one, though I'm not crazy about mesh. It always has such an air of sports jerseys or shopping bags to me that it never seems to belong in street clothes, and you can get weird sunburns through it. I think what I'd do is replace the mesh with some other kind of lacework.

Keystone. A very attractive lace shawl.

Tacoma Shrug. The lacework is beautiful, and the drape is great, but man, that shape is baggy.

Blankie for Baby. Some nice stitchwork in this one.

Sublime Spa Set. Not a bad little baby shower gift for someone who just needs to whip up something quickly. It's cute and useful. Though I think I'd do something more interesting with the bag, such as knitting it in one colour and doing a duplicate stitch teddy bear or cat some such on it. Those stripes have a "I'm just trying to use up some odds and ends" look.

Twist Collective Winter 2017: A Review

Twist Collective has released their Winter 2017 issue, and it's a very solid effort from them, with barely a thing in it I wouldn't make and/or wear myself. Also, there were three articles in it that I recommend: one excellent article on sleeve shapes; another on various hem finishes; and, for sheer what-the-hell value, one article on Canadian dance company Corpus' production Les Mouton ("The Sheep"), a live art installation in which three dancers dressed as sheep, are "herded, penned, fed, milked, and sheared. They bleat, eat, and copulate (not too graphically), escape into the audience, let children and adults feed and pet them, or just stand and stare into space as sheep are wont to do." It sounds hilariously bizarre, and I want to see Les Mouton myself.

But let's have a look at the designs in this issue, shall we?

Cranston. A handsome cabled cardigan.

Fenugreek. VERY nice hat and gloves set.

Epidote. Another nice take on a classic cabled cardigan.

Hashtag. #nicework

Arise. That is some very impressive lacework.

Merriment. An attractive Fair Isle hat and mitts set.

Cloudburst. I'm usually a hard sell on drape front sweaters, but I like this one. It's well shaped, it drapes beautifully, and that lace mohair looks simply decadent.

Hearthstone. Some excellent cabling in this one, highlighted by an argyle-like tracing of contrast colour on one side and around the hem. It's a subtle but very effective extra touch.

Abri. Love this little floral motif. It's playful and pretty in an adult way.

Illicium. Love the stitchwork in afghan, but it deserved a better colour palette.

Arcturus. Another impressive shawl. I'm especially taken by the almost quilted effect of the stitchwork.

Aniseed. Another lovely shawl.

Confectionary. Very wearable and nice-looking design on the whole, but I'm not liking those very openwork raglan seams. They look too messy and like a mistake.

Wafla. I like the waffle and tuck-like texture, but the front does not sit well.

Macoun. Another handsome cabled classic.

Palazzetto. I'm quite liking this contemporary capelet.

Frostpane. Very nicely finished, and I like the combination of cable and lace.

Caulkins. A comfy classic.

Bay Laurel. Oooh, so pretty. I like the leaf effect, and that is one nicely finished neckline.

Tourelle. Another good-looking cabled design.