Cast On Fall 2019: A Review

Let's have a look at Cast On's Fall 2019 issue today.





2x2 Rib Booties (left) and Smocked Booties (right). This designer came up with this design concept in order to keep her kitchen chair legs from leaving marks on the tile floor. I would not want to have to bother running chair booties through the wash as would be necessary at least occasionally, and I would hate to think what my cat might do to them, but maybe these aren't objections for you.

Arlene Tam. Very nice. There really is something about a fair isle tam.

Cabled Bonnet. This isn't half-bad. Caps designed to cover the ears tend to look frumpy, even silly, but this one has a quirky, medieval peasant look that actually works.

Cora. Gorgeous. This one is done in what is essentially the same colourway as the Arlene Tam, which gives the two a similar look, but I much prefer the Cora. It has a clarity of design that is stunning.

Diva Wristlets and Cowl. These have a steampunk-like look to them. I am pretty sure I would find these cuffs wildly impractical and aggravating to wear, as those dainty little ruffles are going to get dirty and snagged and into everything.

Garden Pullover. I don't like the flight of fancy the designer has tried to take with this one. The plain band of stockinette on the right side that the designer used as a basis for the line of bobbles just looks like a mistake to the casual glance. I'd be inclined to knit this sweater in the leafy lace pattern used throughout, as it is really attractive, and the shaping is good.

Gray-dient Sweater. This has a very cool, contemporary vibe. It reminds me of static on a TV screen.

Gremlin. Very attractive, classic look. The lace pattern is really lovely.

Heather and Lace. I would definitely fix the dropped shoulders on this one, which are giving it a frumpy line. I'd probably also forego making the knitted belt shown here in favour of a really smart purchased one, which would add much more to the look, especially if it were chosen to coordinate with some of the wearer's other accessories. The detail around the neck is nice.

High Street Pullover. This one is quite the accomplishment. The designer writes that she "has been fascinated with architectural lines lately and wanted to create a sweater that incorporated horizontal, vertical, and diagonal lines that meet, alter course, and lure the eye into a mesmerizing pattern", and I must say she succeeded admirably. This sweater is amazingly eye-catching, rhythmic, and interesting for what is, after all, a simple cowl neck pullover.

Kisses & Hugs Vest. A handsome, classic vest.

Miaow. Fun and cute. I know a couple of cat-obsessed little girls who would be thrilled to get something like this.

Plated Ski Hat. This is a machine knitting project. It's... okay. I'm not really a fan of the square top shape for caps. I do rather like the contrast band.

Sea Views Triangular Shawl. This one has a rather awkward, "not quite working" look. I think perhaps it would work better with a better blended colourway. That aqua sticks out like a sore thumb.

Skimpy Chevrons Thigh-High Socks. One of these days I really must make me a pair of thigh-high stockings, as I have such a fetish for them. This design would certainly do as well as most of those that I've seen.

Slip Stitch "Cable" Mitts. These are lovely in terms of stitchwork, and that yarn has a luscious look to it, but I can't help feeling that the openness around the fingers would be a drawback, by letting in the cold as well as more concrete matter, such as say, crumbs. I'd be inclined to work in gussets between the fingers.

Smocked Pullover. This is attractive. It has a certain "old school headmistress's blouse" to it, but in a good way. Doing it in another colour than white or cream would go a long way towards downplaying the Victorian shirtwaist feel of this design, if you should wish to.

Smocking Hot. This hat has interesting, even rather unique, stitchwork.

When the Snakes. I'm meh on this one. It's not terrible, just flawed. It has dropped shoulders that cannot be fixed due to the placement of the diagonal bands on front and back, but at the same time... I don't think the diagonal bands really add anything to the design.

Knitscene Winter 2019: A Review

Knitscene has released their Winter 2019 issue. Let's have a look at it, shall we?

Grape Compote Sweater. This one is both practical and attractive, the kind of sweater that's both comfortable enough for both around home and smart enough for going out. Cowls are more universally flattering than turtlenecks, and look, pockets!





Pomegrante Cardigan. The back of this one looks fantastic, but the front has a dumpy, frumpy look. I'd be inclined to fix those drop shoulders, add some waist shaping, and neaten up the fit.

Croissant Sweater. This is a very decent casual look.

Brunch Shawl. Love the edging on this shawl, which turns a simple garter stitch wrap into something much more distinctive.

Earl Gray Hat & Cowl. Classic and wearable cap and cowl set.

Iced Chai Hat. A nice fair isle cap.

Scone Shawl. This is a pleasant little wrap.

Bedhead Beanie. Very cute cap.

Morning Coffee Cowl. Basic cabled cowl.

Rosslyn Cardigan. Nice texture, but this has such a baggy, frumpy look.

Porta Pullover. Love the lace and the overall shaping of this one, but I would neaten up the fit. This is an item that look best oversized, but I'd aim for one size too large, not three or four.

Victoria Station Pullover. Lovely. This is such a refined, classic look.

Downtown Cabled Hat. Classic cabled pom pom hat.

Brisbane Beanie. Some beautiful on texture on this one.

Wellington Pullover. A pretty decent little topper.

Plateau Pullover. Classic pullover. I'd go with a more interesting colour on this one, as it needs a little oomph.

Mitte Tea. Not bad, but this would be one I would wear on its own rather than over a long-sleeved top of some kind.

Loop Hooded Cardigan. This short-sleeved hoodie looks like a versatile and useful little piece. It works surprisingly well over the model's office-appropriate dress.

Central Wrap. Fabulous texture in this one, which makes for such a smart, polished wrap.

Knitty Deep Fall 2019: A Review

Knitty has released its Deep Fall 2019 issue. Let's have a look at it, shall we?

Fuck Cancer Hat. Here we have the cover look. This design employs a slipped stitch technique that creates the appearance of a bold script, and it works so well I must keep it in mind for future projects. I like both the overall concept and the execution of this hat design, and as someone who has lost several loved ones to cancer and whose parents have both had cancer in the past five years (they're both alive and well, I'm happy to say), I also applaud the sentiment.

Apple Valley. Here's a classic circular yoke pullover with a geometric pattern that is one of those Rorschach test-type looks. Does anyone else see upside-down turnip plants?

Calash. This is an attractive, even stylish, hooded scarf, which is no mean design feat, as I've seen a lot of dowdy-looking items of the kind in my time.

Assemblance. There's nothing really wrong with this one -- the shape is good, the design is workmanlike -- but it does give me an uncomfortable feeling that I'm seeing this model's inner works. Also, those sleeves are much too long.

Nuthatch Hat. Not a bad little cap.

Nuthatch Cardigan. Here we have a cardigan to go with the hat above. Some very nice stitchwork on this one, with a smart contrast trim. And though I have made some of the little girls in my life matching sweater and cap sets, I have never made such a set for myself, and am suddenly wondering why.

Knoop. This is quite literally a scrap-yarn project, as the designer made these cowls out of a box of odds and ends of yarn that was getting too full, using the Magic Knot Ball method. Put some care into planning your colourway, and you'll have an attractive cowl like no other.

Switchcraft. These would make me feel like I was wearing potholders on my hands.

Always Be Brave. This is strikingly and attractive, and would be a great way to showcase that variegated yarn you've been eyeing at your favourite yarn store.

Ascuteney. I like this one. The shaping is good, and the abstract colour swaths have a nice balance and flow and makes me think of mountain ranges with a path leading temptingly towards them.

Saturday Night. This cowl's reversible, and would be a fun project to pick out yarns for.

Nudiabranchia. This piece, which is modeled on the nudibranch or sea slug, is a certain technical accomplishment, but I don't think I care for the idea that a sea slug having me by the throat, and likely also telling me that it has ways of making me talk.

Feuille-morte. What a lovely shawl design. Both shaping and stitchwork are excellent.