Rowan Knitting & Crochet Magazine 65: Review Part Two

Today we're going to have a look at the second half of the patterns in Rowan Knitting & Crochet Magazine 65 (my review of the first 21 patterns from this issue can be read here.)

Owre. This design is classified as a sweater on Ravelry. I'd have put it in the poncho category, and I consider that as a poncho it's rather a success: it drapes well, the stitchwork is lovely, the sleeves will help it stay in place, and it has a certain romantic charm.

Fritzia. I don't find the yarn choices are working together too well here, but then that's an easy fix.

Regain. Can't say I care for the very open notch on the collar of this, as it just looks like a mistake. I'd put just a solid collar band on this, and also raise the dropped shoulder -- or just choose another pattern.

Penga. Rather a cute little topper. I'd fix the dropped shoulders.

Joni. Pretty, but I don't like those unfinished, curling edges.

Restore. This looks rather fetching from the back, but it falls in folds through the lower torso in front, which is not a flattering look on most women.

Yatlen. I'd like this better if there was more of it.

Katz. I love this one for its quietly sexy translucence and back detail. (A woman who doesn't want to wear just a bra underneath this can always go with a camisole or tank.) The shaping is perfect, and the line of contrast edging adds so much.

Purpose. This one's a bit too unfinished-looking for my liking.

Rakki. The stitchwork is beautiful, the drape is beautiful, and the shaping is a travesty.

Kinetic. These long, narrow cardigans do no women any favours.

Toorie. The rabbit and mushroom motifs look a little too cutesy to me to be really suitable for a grown woman, and this is in women's sizes only.

Marisol. Not a bad simple top. The lines of dropped stitches give it a contemporary feel.

Elementary. A bit blah and shapeless.

Mondrain. I would like this if it were longer, but this cropped length looks awkward even on a professional model.

Essential. Super basic tank.

Mucha. I like this one through the body and even through the shoulder/neckline area, but leg o' mutton belongs on a sheep and nowhere else.

Intrinsic. Simply shaped wrap with some handsome stitchwork.

Pia. Very much like this one. The design is original and eye-catching, and the shape and fit is loose enough to be comfortable while trim enough not to be sloppy.

Minimal. Classic eyelet cardigan.

Picasso. Not bad as to shape and stitchwork, but I don't like the unfinished edges, and I would be afraid this wouldn't hold its shape.

Rowan Knitting & Crochet Magazine 65: Review Part One

Rowan has released Rowan Knitting & Crochet Magazine 65. Let's have a look at the first half of it, shall we? (There are 42 patterns in this issue, so I have divided the patterns into two reviews, the second of which is here.)

Aester. This is an interesting combination of graphic and floral-like elements. The more I look at it, the more I like it.

Simple. Attractive and wearable.

Paloma. Delicately pretty, but I would neaten up the fit a little.

Bismar. Classic eyelet cardigan.

Vital. The combination of a cropped cardigan over a tunic length top is... unfortunate.

Rivera. This poncho would look so much better on a couch.

Cuggle. Very nice! I love the curving cable detail on both the front and the back -- very distinctive.

Dali. Nice, useful wrap.

Rothko. Nice use of a gradient colour effect.

Genner. This is a particularly attractive fair isle piece.

Berenice. Lovely and eye-catching design.

Torey. Love the pattern through the, uh, "body" of this, but this looks like an afghan that mutated and sprouted sleeves.

Kirkan. Quite like this one, which as you can see has enough visual interest and style that it has turned a basic outfit of t-shirt and jeans into a look. My compliments to the designer of this colour palette, who somehow managed to integrate gold, ivory, cream, green, sand, and gray, and make it work.

Fontana. Quite a lovely wrap.

Sheeler. Dust ruffles have gone out even for bedskirts, and when I say they've "gone out", I don't mean that they've gone on public view by migrating to sweater design.

Mareel. Love the Art Deco look of this design.

Cornelia. Another lovely wrap.

Yoko. This is another mutant afghan, except that instead of sprouting half-sleeves, this one has grown half-doilies. I'm starting to get a little anxious -- is this the beginning of some sort of Day of the Triffids-like uprising, only with vengeful afghans instead of triffids?

Witter. Classic gansey.

Dada. Wearable striped tank.

Reclaim. Not a bad knitted coat, but I would fix those dropped shoulders.

Cast On Spring 2019: A Review

Cast On has released their Spring 2019 issue. Let's have a look at it, shall we?

Accordion Cowl. I'd like to see this cowl and set of decorative cinches in a more sophisticated palette, and modelled on a person. Looking at them as they are leaves me feeling like I'm looking at some sort of strange bathroom cozies, and trying to imagine exactly what sort of personal care implements they would be for.

Buttoned Cup Cozy. These look a little rough and ready. Not that I've ever been one to care to use a cup cozy. They'd get stained with tea or coffee so quickly.

Crochet-Knit Shell Pillow. Very pretty. Covering your pillow form with an interesting contrasting or complementary fabric could be a nice extra touch for this piece, since so much of it is on view under the lace.

Delicately Warm. It's a well-shaped tank, but that is one unattractive variegated yarn.

Fox Happiness. Adorable!

Indian Cross Pillow. Another beautiful cushion cover with great stitchwork.

Intarsia Puntas Top. The colour blocking, interesting edging, and shaping give this simple tank such a sophisticated, polished edge.

Kirwa Shawl. Nice stitchwork, but this project deserved a more attractive yarn.

Lace Sweater with Godets. I'm impressed that this designer managed to combine such complex shaping with such intricate lacework so impeccably.

Linen CoverUp. This is an okay beach cover-up, but I have seen better.

Lorica of St. Patrick. Classic cabled men's sweater.

My Garden Window. What a pretty little stole.

Poppies. This lovely little jacket would be a great way to ease into the techniques of steeking and mitred corners.

Seafoam Top. This is a rather nice little cardigan, but that wretched magenta variegated yarn (I mean, whyyyyyyyy????) is giving me such a case of retina burn that I can barely look at it.

Shower Stitch Jumper. Lovely little girl's dress.

Spring Shower Socks. I can't say I exactly crave thigh-high socks in the spring, but okay.

The Rocky Hills. Very attractive shawl.

Twillingate Cardigan. This isn't at all a bad piece, but man is that long narrow silhouette a difficult one for a woman to pull off. I'd skip that bottom panel, and perhaps just edge the bottom with that lace mesh stitch.

Weaving Diamonds Sweater. Very much like the combination of a stranded pattern, colour blocking, and saddle shoulder construction, which makes for an eye-catching total look.