Showing posts with label Cast On. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cast On. Show all posts

Wednesday 17 May 2017

Cast On Summer 2017: A Review


Cast On has released their Summer 2017 issue. Let's have a look at it, shall we?





Baby Fingers Blanket. An attractive and usable baby blanket, but the name of this item does give me a slight case of the heebie jeebies.





Disrupt. Lovely scarf. It's reversible too.





Dropped Petals Crescent Shawl. Some very attractive stitchwork in this.





Fairlane Tee. Interesting piece with a contemporary feel.





Fan Lace Cowl. Beautiful.





Fibonacci Fun Shawlette. I'm not too taken with this one, probably because it strikes me as unfinished-looking. I think it needs an edging of some sort.





Marled Boxy Top. Unflattering and boring.





Pataya. Flattering and pretty. The side detailing is a nice touch.





Quatrefoil Shawl. Exquisite.





Scandinavian Candle Coat (left) and Shetland Candle Coat (right). These are pretty, but the idea of putting any sort of knitted shades on candles (or even other light sources, such as electric lamps) makes me nervous. I've heard a story of an unattended candle -- that was on a ceramic dish -- setting fire first to the table on which it sat, and subsequently the wall the table stood against, and knitted items are surely more flammable than wooden tables and drywall. If you are going to put knitted shades on your candle holders, please be absolutely sure never to leave the candle unattended for any length of time.





Spring at Last. Nice socks.





Swarm of Wasps Top and Swarm of Wasps Skirt. I very much like this ensemble, which has a certain "retro gone modern" vibe, as though a classic thirties knitwear pattern had been revamped to give it a contemporary edge. Though I do have reservations about the fact that this pattern calls for worsted yarn. I'd adjust the pattern and knit it in a fingering weight.





Upper Yosemite Fall Shawl. Fabulous lacework.





Waterfall Cardigan. This looks quite good here, as the shaping is good, the lace is pretty, and the yarn drapes well, but I do have my suspicions regarding how well this cardigan will sit and remain in place on an actual woman in real life.

Monday 10 April 2017

Cast On Spring 2017: A Review


Cast On has released their Spring 2017 issue. Let's have a look at it.





All Tied Up Skirt. I rather like this one, which is well shaped and carefully finished. The tie detail is rather interesting. I'd consider using a satin ribbon as a tie instead of making one out of the same yarn.





All Tied Up Vest. I'm less enthusiastic about the vest. I don't like cardigan-style sweaters that don't meet in the front, as they always look too small, and those three ties have a kitschy look.





Baby Dots Sweater. This is cute, though that neckline does look unfinished.





Bloom. Wow. This is just gorgeous.





Catalina Cardigan. The lacework and the overall design are pretty, but I'm not entirely sold on how this sits. Notice that the model is pressing the sweater to her in the front with both hands.





Easy Peasy Baby Hats. As the name promises, these would be easy to whip up, and they're also cute. This a perfect pair of attributes for baby clothes, because those little sprogs have a way of growing out of their knitted items at a perversely fast rate.





Gryphon Shawl. What a beautiful piece of lacework, and it sits beautifully as well.





Helena Pullover. A very pretty summer top. There is something about a simple stockinette summer top with a touch of lace.





Infinity Scarf. I don't tend to like a lot of fringe as it tends to get into and/or caught on things, but this fringed cowl is pleasing and looks easy to wear, and also has some interesting stitchwork.





Light the Torches Socks. These are a little too visually busy for my liking. Combining two different stripe patterns and a slip stitch pattern and a vibrant two-toned yarn choice adds up to a little much. I might dial this back a bit by going with a quieter yarn.





Sampler Pillow (top photo) and Seed and Moss Stitch Pillow (bottom photo). I'm not too taken with either of these. The Sampler Pillow's "samples" are all pulling out of shape. The Seed and Moss Stitch Pillow might be a good one to do in a beautiful, interesting yarn rather than in this plain cream, which looks a little too bland for this pattern.





Sitka Tree Ornament. These are really beautiful. The detailing is great, and I love the colours.





Squares Squared. Not bad. One doesn't see so many designs that implement squares.





Viter. A beautiful, classic piece.





Weekend Tea Cozies. These aren't anything special, but I suppose they'll get the job done.

Monday 16 January 2017

Cast On Winter 2016: A Review


Cast On has released its Winter 2016 issue. Let's have a look at it, shall we?





Arctic Cowl and Muff. These are okay as separately items, but as a set they seem a little much, as though the maker knitted two tubes and put them wherever they fit.





Aviemore Hat. An attractive classic cap.





Beaded Buttoned Bracelet. This is pretty in its way, but jewelry made out of yarn never looks like jewelry to me.





Chunky Checkerboard Scarf. I'd skip the pockets on this, which make it look a little too much like those pocket things some people hang on their couches and armchairs.





Commence. I'm quite liking this one, which between its excellent stitchwork and shaping has more than a little style to it. I love the collar especially.





Fingerslip. These mittens have an unobtrusive covered slit on the palm side that will enable its wearers to slip their fingers out of the mitten in order to manage any fine motor tasks that come their way. It's a practical idea, and the mittens are attractive and absent the clunkiness that so many mittens with fold-back tops have.





Herringbone Mitts. Very much like these, which are smart and fun and very carefully finished.





High Flight Redux. Not bad. The yoke seems rather visually heavy and dominant, but that may just be the picture's angle.





Icy Pink Vest. Classic cabled vest. I'd make this either in a light coloured cotton to be worn by itself in the summer, or in a darker, richer-toned wool for winter.





Jessica's Boyfriend Sweater. This is rather well-shaped, but I have my concerns about how flattering this length would be when it's a slim-fit piece. I'd make it a standard length.





Kendall's Sweater. Nice texture. I'd go with a beautiful or interesting yarn for this one.





Lilacs and Clemantis. This is a beautiful piece of design, but I do have my reservations about how it sits -- it's flaring out stiffly at the bottom. I think I'd add fasteners (buttons or clasps) all the way down the front to help this vest keep its shape.






Norwegian Legwarmers. Very pretty. I find myself wishing I'd had a pair like these circa 1985. I'd have been the envy of the schoolyard.





Patrician Cardigan. Oooh, how beautiful and elegant, and that yarn looks simply luscious. Good shaping, lovely lacy ruffle detailing, and the cardigan drapes so well.





Ship Side Chevron Shawl. This one is so striking as to be rather dramatic. Fantastic stitchwork.





Untwined Socks. A fun mix of patterns which works well on such a small scale.





Wilshire Boulevard Wrap. Another lovely and polished wrap. The stitchwork is really impressive.