Twist Collective Spring 2016: A Review

Twist Collective has released their Spring 2016 issue. Let's have a look at it, shall we?

Keystone. Nice classic piece.

Bosquet shawl. Some very attractive lacework in these.

Anyolite top. Some good detailing and nice shaping.

Zellige pullover. Love this one. The yoke design is really striking.

Reticella cardigan. I think I'm going to have to keep this one in mind for the cream cotton cardigan I want to make myself next year.

Flechir shawl. I like this one on the whole, but the slightly rolled edges and the ribbed vein-like lines do give a slightly rough look.

Wrought. Really pleasingly balanced piece.

Azulejos shawl. Some elegant contemporary lacework here.

Cassabana sweater. Not really taken with this one. I can't say it isn't shaped or finished, because it is, but it has a certain draggled look to it. Also that line of dropped stitches in the front will reveal the wearer's bra.

Unnathi shawl. Some really beautiful, intricate lacework in this one.

Kimberlite top. Quite like this one, with the interesting stitchwork on the side. It also has an unexpected keyhole detail in the back.

Cedri top. Useful and cute little summer top.

Ziarre cardigan. Nice little summer cardigan.

Papeda tank. Well-shaped piece with some nice lacy detailing at the neckline and side vents.

Rangoli shawl. Neither the tutti frutti colourway nor the mottled-looking stitchwork of this shawl are doing it for me.

Haden tank. Nice piece, though those buttons do nothing for it.

Rhodora shawl. Beautiful lacework.

Picard sweater. This design, and the eleven that follow it, are designs that have appeared in previous editions of Twist Collective. This one originally appeared in the Winter 2012 issue, which came out before I launched this site. The design is... okay. The collar doesn't seem like a particularly happy design choice, and I notice that a number of the Ravelry members who have made this design tweaked the collar in some way.

Ormond cardigan, from Summer 2011. It's a lovely classic item.

Gwendolyn, from Fall 2010. Nice-looking cabled hoodie. The contrast edging gives it a smart, sporty look.

Wingspan, from Fall 2010. I like this one, though the empire waistline isn't a great choice for the well-endowed woman. Even the model on the left can't quite carry off the look.

Flux cardigan, from Fall 2011. Love this one. Those intricately curving cables look fantastic.

Parcel pullover, from Winter 2010. Nice one. The chevrons feel more contemporary than the cables one might have expected the designer to go with.

Sympatico cardigan, from Fall 2012. This one is both retro and contemporary at the same time, and the choice of a yarn with a bit of angora in it gives the item a becoming softness.

Viridis, from Spring & Summer 2013. When I reviewed that issue, I wrote, "I very much like the Viridis jacket which has a beautiful lace front panel and good overall proportions and modern lines, but it's one that will have to be worn closed, because when worn open the front pieces are going to sag and the waist tie will trail. If you want to make this cardigan be prepared for that, and also be aware of the bulk it will add to the front of you as double-breasted styles inevitably do." I see it sits much better when worn open than I would have expected.

Kirigami pullover, from Winter 2009. I like the stripes and general lines of this piece, but that collar really detracts. It doesn't sit at all well.

Regent cardigan, from Spring & Summer 2012. Really attractive and gracefully shaped piece.

Jaali pullover, from Fall 2008. Flattering and wearable.

Epiphany, from Fall 2011. Very much like this one. I prefer the original colourway, which can be seen on the design's Ravelry page, but do think the sweater looks better in a neater fit as seen here. Epiphany was designed by Cheryl Burke, and she's a designer to keep an eye on, as she has a real gift for working with colour. The Mirry Dancers sweater was her work.