Love of Knitting Spring 2016: A Review

Interweave has added a new knitting magazine to their roster. It's called Love of Knitting. Let's have a look at its premiere issue, shall we?

Bold Stripes Jacket. I'm liking the playful stripes, but not the lack of shaping.

Chevron Vest. Again, I like the stripes, but not the shaping. This looks like its maker started to make an afghan, lost interest in the project, added some arm holes, and called it a day.

Circus Engineer. Cute! For the child in your life who is an aspiring engineer but also enjoys cuddly things.

Colorplay Crescent Lace Shawl. There's something about this combination of a classic, romantic shawl and a bold, modern use of colour that's very pleasing.

Crystal Chandelier Wrap. This looks more like an afghan than a wrap to me, though it is a lovely afghan, one worthy of a place on Charley Pride's couch.

Faux Cabled Cardigan. Very much like this one and would totally wear it myself.

Flower Tank. This is... okay. The yarn selection doesn't seem to be doing much for it, and it could use some waist shaping.

Graphic Knit/Purl Swatch-Cloth. That heart isn't terribly well-shaped.

Linen & Lace Wrap. Love this one. The colours are beautiful and it drapes well.

Platinum Jacket. This isn't a bad example of a loose-fitting cardigan, though styling it over a fussy, bunchy dress was not a happy thought.

Sailor's Stripes Raglan. This is ADORABLE. What a clever new take on the classic Breton stripe top.

Spring Breeze Vest. This is quite well-shaped, sits well, and has some lovely stitchwork. The name suits it, because it does look like a breezy little item for a woman to throw on over a variety of her summer outfits.

Springtime Lace Shawl. Attractive, classic piece.

Tea Time Top. Nice piece with good shaping and careful finishing. I would want to make this one in a more exciting colour, though. It could use a little pepping up.

Three Geometric Pillows. Three striking and effective designs.

ZigZag Scarf. Some really fantastic stitchwork in this one.

Knitscene Summer 2016: A Review

Knitscene has released its Summer 2016 issue. Let's have a look at it, shall we?

Lignon Cardigan. This one, with its asymmetrical collar detail, reminds me of a 4-H knitting project my sister once did when she was about 14. As she earnestly explained it to me and my mother, "I made a mistake in the back and didn't see it in time, so I made a matching one in the front, only I didn't get it as high." Other than the collar, I do like this piece with its dotted effect, and in the pictures where it is buttoned it is clear that it is a well-shaped piece.

Capillary Scarf. This one looks like a very long, skinny shopping bag.

Rosulate Tank. I'm not a fan of asymmetry, but this one is fine. Two ruffles would have been a little too precious, and the lacework and shaping are very good.

Cordia Tank. I haven't a fault to find with this one. Nicely finished piece, and I love that cinnamon red yarn.

Commelina Scarf. Both attractive and visually interesting.

Alpinia Tank. Liking the linear-style lacework on this one, which would make a nice cover up for the beach.

Helconia Wrap. This piece is not actually a wrap, as both its name and this picture suggest, but a loose cardigan. It's a lovely piece in terms of stitchwork and drape, if a little too Golden Girls in style for me.

Ipomoea Scarf. I can see this one going fairly well with very casual summer clothes.

Arundina Tee. Very fetching little top for summer. The yarn choice is particularly good for this design.

Mere Skirt. Lovely little airy piece for summer. This one would be such a welcome find in a woman's closet on a hot day.

Rogue Wave Socks. I like these socks on the whole, but they do look unfinished at the top, as though they just stop.

Buoyant Sweater. Not bad, and I do like the tie-dyed yarn used here, but I would fix those dropped shoulders.

Barachois Tunic. I actually rather like this one's minimalist, "she's come undun" style. Shorter women might have trouble carrying off the length, but it can always be scaled down to suit them.





Soliton Vest. The back of this item looks pretty good, but the front looks like an unfinished piece the model is trying on for size.

Seiche Tank. Love the lace detail on the yoke of this tank, though, as A-line shapes are not my friend, I'd be reshaping it.

Anil Cardigan. The lacework at the shoulders is pretty, but cardigan's general effect is that of a rumpled and stretched-out piece.

Tinctoria Tee. This mullet hem is working better and more stylishly than mullet hems usually do, but I think I'd still be making the front and back hems of equal length. The design is quite good otherwise, and this would make a useful overlayer for summer.

Billabong Tee. Another one of those minimal designs that work quite well. The shaping is good and the overall effect is "can't be bothered to dress up much and want to be cool and comfortable but still have style" -- which is the perfect chord to strike in summer.

Atoll Cowl. A light, simple cowl for summer.

Knit.Wear Spring & Summer 2016: A Review

Knit.Wear is baaaa-ack, after briefly restyling itself as Knit.Purl, and Interweave has released its "re-premiere" spring and summer issue for 2016. Let's have a look at an especially good issue. I'd be willing to make and wear most of these patterns myself, and it's not often I conclude that after writing a review.

Douillet Sweater. Classic striped sweater. Check out the perfection of the stripe match at the shoulder.

HAT. The perfect gift for the anomic aphasiac in your life! Actually, I rather like this piece. The font used for the word hat pleases me.

Lin Sweater. The unfinished, minimal style isn't my thing, but this is a very decent piece of design in that vein.

Galet Pullover. Very much like this one. The monotone striped effect is very inventive and even cool.

Bande Pullover. Not bad.

Kline Shawl. Rather a nice piece in a contemporary style.

Pollock Scarf. This one looks like it's been upcycled from an old granny afghan.

Escher Poncho. Love this one. The stripes, the accent colour, and the shaping are all so cool and striking.

Julie Pullover. I like this one. The loose twist effect has a both modern and timeless appeal.

Ingrid Pullover. Love this one. The neckline and collar are great, as is the shaping and the entire detailed, polished look of it all.

Veronica Vest. This one's quite different, but it works very well. The front ribbing and the faux fur trim around the neckline and the sleeve openings are nice touches, as is the shaping has a satisfying balance, going as it does from the open neckline to the trim waistline. I do think I'd make those sleeve openings a little less deep, as they'll offer a fine inside-the-sweater view to anyone who happens to be around the wearer. A woman could always wear a camisole underneath, of course, but to me this looks like a piece that calls for a strapless bra.

Phryne Fisher. Simple yet effective hat, and it would be an easy item to wear.

Doris Head Scarf. This one's nicely shaped. It does look like a proper head scarf rather than some swatch of yarn randomly tied around the model's head.

Katherine Cardigan. Quite smart and well-shaped and finished. The buckle snaps are a nice finishing touch.

Jessica Tank. A rather fetching little piece. The shaping is good, and I like the curving cables.

Anna Cowl. Beautiful lacework, and this is a very versatile piece that can be styled in quite a few different ways.

Day for Night Top. Very simple yet well-shaped piece that would go with many a skirt and pair of trousers in a woman's wardrobe.

Irina Pullover. Cozy, well-shaped sweater with really interesting texture.

Marilyn Sweater. Not bad. The shape is very 1950s and the detailing is very contemporary. It's a happy combination.

Claire Tank. This is one of those pieces I'd all but kill to have the right sort of figure to wear. Love the clean lines and the striking effect of the stripe and the waistband.