Twist Collective Blog

Twist Collector: Stephanie

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Published on Thursday, 19 November 2009 04:27

by Stephanie K.

Hello, my name is Stephanie, I’m an insatiable knitter and I love Twist Collective!  I learned to knit in 2002 with a craft store kit, books, and internet resources.  Handknitting is an extension of my sewn wardrobe, which I began creating in 1994.  I work in a fairly casual environment, higher education, and I wear my knits most days.

Cabling and lacework are a few of my favorite elements.   I was thrilled with the premiere issue of Twist, as I found the design aesthetic fresh and modern.  The level of talent was impressive; several of my favorite designers had published new patterns.  Also, the photography was inspiring and informative, with clear views from different angles.  So far, I have finished seven Twist sweaters, including at least one from each issue, and I have one in progress.  

My Twist Collective projects include (reading left to right, starting at the top row):

●Wisteria by Kate Gilbert is fun to knit, with a clear pattern and good charts.  Making a few size modifications was easy with the excellent schematic.  I find myself reaching for Wisteria frequently on cold winter days as it’s quite cozy with the cables and mock turtle neck. 

●Rebecca by Fiona Ellis has good charts for the body conscious cable pattern, and is a warm yet lightweight in dk yarn. 

●Primrose Path by Angela Hahn is great for spring, with figure flattering ribbing and an asymmetric lace pattern.

●Chartres is another Fiona Ellis design, a gorgeous shell and fast knit, with an entertaining cable/lace motif.

●Broderie by Connie Chang Chinchio is a cardigan perfect for summer in the Mid-Atlantic, knit with a cotton blend and shortened sleeves.  With intricate lace, an allover stitch pattern, and sport weight gauge, this project isn’t necessarily the easiest to execute, but it is interesting and engaging.

●Uhura by Connie is a pretty tank top with a few unexpected details, like its racer back. 

●Vine Yoke by Ysolda Teague is fun, knitting up quickly with an unusual sideways construction method, and offers many sizes in a comprehensible layout.  Vine Yoke has become my go-to fall sweater, with its unique style and warmth perfect for the transitional season. 

●Vivian by Ysolda (in progress) is a cabled hoodie with a seed stitch background.  The cabling looks elaborate, but it’s intuitive since most of the crossings occur on the same rows. 

One central theme emerged while working on these projects: all the patterns were extremely well written.  As a prolific sweater knitter, I appreciate a pattern that is easy to understand and does not require significant rewriting to correct errors or to obtain a garment like the one in pattern photos.  I keep returning to Twist Collective patterns because I know that they will have clear text, good schematics and charts, and they will provide me with a smooth knitting experience, free of errata.  Also, I am always pleased with the stellar design talent in each new issue.  I love and appreciate the concept of fair compensation for designers.  Another great aspect is Twist’s commitment to customer service.  The few times I needed assistance with download links, Twist customer service helped quickly and efficiently.
My primary priority in choosing my projects is to find sweaters that are interesting to create, stylish and unique, and also are highly suitable for my wardrobe. For longevity over several seasons, I aim to create garments that are modern while not tied to any transient fads. Thankfully, Twist Collective publishes many designs that fit my needs!  

You can find me on Ravelry as “Ohsewcrafty”, or check on my knitting progress via my blog.