The on and off rain we got all weekend didn't give me many good opportunities for photographs. I spent most of my crafting time this weekend with Lotus and I made some small amount of progress on the sleeve. I was thinking of not posting, but I thought a few out there might like to see how that long stretch of lace from Friday gets compressed into the most lovely frill for the sleeve.
The crochet lace in this project really has me thinking that I would like to try my hand at a crochet sweater sometime this summer. Crochet really makes cotton and other "summer" yarns shine and in summer I love to have cotton sweaters for layering pieces in my normally chilly office.
Is it just me or is the most recent issue of IK kind of boring? I was looking forward to getting it and reading through it, but my reaction to it was really "Meh." About the only project in it that grabbed my attention was the modular felted bag. And I just can see myself doing that any time soon. I know a lot of people complain about Vogue Knitting, but lately I've felt like it's presenting more interesting designs -- or at least designs that make me want to go back and look through the magazine again. I know spring and summer are hard times for knitting magazines, so I'm hoping for better things from IK in the fall.
The crochet lace in this project really has me thinking that I would like to try my hand at a crochet sweater sometime this summer. Crochet really makes cotton and other "summer" yarns shine and in summer I love to have cotton sweaters for layering pieces in my normally chilly office.Is it just me or is the most recent issue of IK kind of boring? I was looking forward to getting it and reading through it, but my reaction to it was really "Meh." About the only project in it that grabbed my attention was the modular felted bag. And I just can see myself doing that any time soon. I know a lot of people complain about Vogue Knitting, but lately I've felt like it's presenting more interesting designs -- or at least designs that make me want to go back and look through the magazine again. I know spring and summer are hard times for knitting magazines, so I'm hoping for better things from IK in the fall.
You're right, it was pretty boring. But your sweater sleeve is great. Crochet is beyond me.
The lace is just beautiful! So pretty! The only pattern that grabbed me from the summer IK was the spidery tank top. I'm not sure why I like it so much but I really want to try it. My niece may get one this summer.
Normally I want to flip through the IK for days and I bring it around so it is dog eared before I even think of making any of the patterns. This time it has gotten a cursory glance, reading the end pages, and then shelved partly because I'm hugely busy and partly lack of interest in the patterns. I'm sure a couple of them would be fun to wear, stylish and flattering, but they don't look fun to make.
Even if I didn't think Lotus was going to look good on me, I would be interested because it looks like a lot of fun to make.
I'll second that "meh" on the IK magazine. The only pattern that spoke to me was the "Great Gatsby Dress" which I'd have to make for my skinny daughter who wouldn't appreciate it anyway. I do like the modular bag but I'm kind of bagged-out lately so I wouldn't get to that for a while. I'm with Seanna Lea, normally I carry the newest issue of IK around like a security blanket for weeks until I've devoured every word and drooled on every pattern. This issue- not so much.
IK seems to be drifting toward the KnitScene demographic. Women who have hot flashes do not wear two t-shirts under their sweaters...just sayin'. I found myself more interested in the ads than the featured patterns. Kate Gilbert is over on Twist...
I have attempted to be a fan of IK but never could get into it..maybe a design here and there. Always been a fan of Vogue though, at least for the artistry even though many are not the most wearable.. at least now without a slew of mods. Your Lotus is quite interesting...is crochet in my future?
I find alot of the patterns in knitting magazines (and Spin Off magazine too) tend to look very similiar. It must be challenging to always come up with new and exciting patterns. I think they must get so desperate sometimes that they put any old thing in!
I agree about the Spring IK & the felted bag. I think knitting mags tend to go in cycles. For several years Knitters was my favorite - lots of texture (which I love). But then it got kind of boring & IK became more interesting. Now I've been a bit disappointed in the past couple of issues. I've more or less stopped buying Vogue Knitting because they have so few patterns that will fit me (& I'm not that large - size XL in tops for LL Bean, Lands End, Old Navy). And they had one issue that did have several tops in larger sizes but, ironically, they were the patterns that were least likely to look good on a plus size woman (or even a well endowed woman of any size). They had several tops in the issue that would've looked good on someone who needs a larger size but none of them were sized up!
Yes, I thought the exact same thing about the new IK. Meh.
I share your opinions about the latest IK and Vogue issues. About the only designer who is releasing things I like (in these magazines) lately is Olga Buraya-Kefelian.
100% in agreement about IK. All of the knitting magazines seem to be in the doldrums lately.
Here! Here! About IK. I wish IK and VK would mix up the fashions a bit. I feel that the styles are not practical or for super skinny folks. I wouldn't mind a few fun patterns, if they were countered with some basic, everyday styles (with some flair).
I, too, was all about the 'meh' on this IK issue. Nothing particularly good in terms of lasting beyond the current season. Definitely designs for a very young demographic.
I love your lacy sleeves for lotus. I haven't done any crocheting for a long time. You are making it tempting.
Love the work you are doing on the Lotus. I screwed up my courage (I am a crochet virgin) and ordered the yarn from Webs and am looking forward to starting soon!
I agree that the Spring issue of IK is pure blah! Nothing in the magazine really tempted me unlike the recent Vogue or the spring Rowan book. My most recent issue of Knitters was also bland and boring but my LYS is carrying the US version of a European magazine called Verena that has more interesting things. They used a lot of lace in the most recent issue and I was impressed with the designs.
Agreed. Not really interested in the patterns this issue.