Rowan Knitting & Crocheting Magazine 58: A Review (Part 1)

Rowan has published issue Rowan Knitting & Crochet Magazine, issue 58. Let's take a look at it, shall we? Or rather, let's take a look at the first half of it. As there are 39 patterns in it, I will be splitting the review into two parts, with the second half to be published tomorrow.

Colonsay. The stitchwork in this crocheted jacket is awesome, but I do wish it had a better shape.

Fingle. Nice piece. Varying the widths of stripes and using a sophisticated colour palette always does raise the basic striped sweater to a whole new level.

Scilly. Speaking of raising the striped sweater to a whole new level, this designer has incorporated an unusual texture, gorgeous yarns, and great shaping to make a really lovely piece.

Eddystone. Lovely classic menswear piece.

Ulva. Nice jacket. It has a vintage-y appeal.

Anglesley. A very attractive new twist on the Fair Isle sweater.

Guernsey. This one is a Kaffe Fassett design, and it's visually striking while still being something even quite a conservative man would wear.

Mersea. Really good texture in this one, though the colourway is a little lacklustre.

Hayling. This is attractive except for the cropped length, which throws the proportions off.

Unst. The Fair Isle pattern here is good, but the sweater is so large it's overwhelming the model. The dropped shoulders and oddly placed pockets aren't helping.

Lindisfarne. This is perhaps a little busy. I'd work the middle panel as directed and nix the "reverse Fair Isle" stitchwork used on the body in favour of something plainer.

Alderney. What a lovely leaf motif. The shaping is good too.

Sark Wrap. Nice piece, but it would look better on a couch.

Yell. A slightly variegated yarn gives this simple ribbed sweater more interest.

Jersey Hat and Scarf. The subtle stripe of the yarn used is what makes this otherwise basic set.

Gale Pattern. Love the slip stitch effect used here, but I would definitely raise the dropped shoulders and add waist shaping. This piece is terribly unflattering even on the model.

Iceberg. The cabled pattern and the yarns used here are lovely, but this is another design that could do with reshaping.

Blustery. Classic cabled pullover. And I promise you that there's no need to liven up a classic piece like this by going with David-Bowie-in-Labyrinth hair. You can have more faith in a classic cabled sweater than that. Really.

Glacier. These larger cables make for a new twist on the classic cabled pullover.

Nippy. Love this classic turtleneck, which looks luxuriously comfortable.

Rowan Knitting & Crochet Magazine 57: A Review

Rowan has published issue 57 of the Rowan Knitting & Crochet Magazine. Let's have a look at it, shall we?

Simona. Lovely little shawl.

Zarah. The front of this top looks unobjectionable, but the pattern description mentions that it's "strappy" and has "ribbon across the back", so I would need to see a back view before I sign off on it.

Mariella. Nice little surplice top for summer.

Esta. Classic lace cardigan.

Alda. Not thrilled with this one. The empire line and the loose sleeves will make it unflattering on many women.

Eloisa. This woman fought the doily, and it was an inconclusive win.

Donnie. Cropped length items flatter very few women, and the body of this sweater looks absurdly shrunken when compared to the sleeves.

Violetta. Love the textured leaf stitch used here.

Fia. Very pretty, though again the pattern mentions that this design has a "lace back" which isn't shown here.

Nicci. Not too taken with this one. It does have a forties vibe to it, which I like, and it's well-shaped, but the waistband looks a little random. This top needs some finishing details in the waistband stitch, such as a collar or cuffs, to pull it together.

Elda. The black-on-white intarsia floral motif here is lovely, but I'm not caring much for the oversized tunic shaping, which tends to look rather frumpy on most women. I'd neaten up the shaping and make this in a relaxed fit tunic instead.

Catarina. Lovely textured pullover for summer, though I would fix those dropped shoulders.

Massa. This sweater looks like it was made out of a circus tent, and not successfully.

Poppi. This top isn't bad overall, but the colour combination is doing nothing for it and I suspect it could probably use some waist shaping.

Borro. This is... okay... at least compared to the circus tent number a few designs above. I think I'd want to go with a higher contrast colourway.

Prato. The shaping could be better (I'd suggest waist shaping and a slightly neater fit), and this colourway isn't working well.

Sorano. A dull colourway, dropped shoulders, and it's huge. Next!

Arezzo. Interesting pattern and the shaping is good overall, though I would correct the dropped shoulders.

Empoli. Quite like this one. The saddle shoulder construction works well with the stripe design.

Vicchio. The design of this one is good, though I'd go with another colourway. This one is a little too close to pastel.

Sieci. Openwork crochet in a linen yarn. It looks like a shopping bag with sleeves and I'd expect it would feel chafey.

Cetona. I think I would like this crocheted top better in a solid colour. It has a decent shape and texture, and making it multi-tone is overegging the pudding.

Masotti. Quite like this one, with its open cable pattern. This stitch adds texture without adding bulk.

Olympia. Cute but needs shaping and a little more length. Cropped and boxy is a bad shape for most women.

Hestia. I like this one. The shaping of the neckline and the detail around it give an otherwise standard tunic all the interest and style it needs.

Aldephe. Nice little tank.

Delia. More than a little too shapeless.

Alexus. Not a bad little dress, though it does look like it could do with some waist shaping.

Philomena. Cute little top.

Ianthe. Simple, useful pullover.

Elektra. This piece was clearly meant to be a knitted take on the denim vest, and it's not bad. I think I might be inclined to make it in a yarn that isn't denim-like, though, like a fine wool or even a luxury mohair, as that would mean it could be worn with more items than just jeans.

Cybele. This cropped surplice sweater is unflattering even on the model.

Artemisia. The description for this item refers to it as an "open back cardigan". It's clearly not a cardigan, and my guess is it isn't open back either. It looks like a very basic pullover and seems unobjectionable.

Nemesis. Simple pullover, but what makes it special is that it's knitted in Rowan's Kidsilk Haze. Kidsilk Haze really is one luscious, beautiful yarn that elevates any project it's used for.

Arcadia. This has a couple of interesting textural details, but the oversized fit looks none too flattering even on the model.