On the other hand, there's RYC

One of the goodies we got in at Rosie's over the weekend was a box full of RYC yarns and books, "RYC" being "Rowan Yarn Classics," a spin-off of Rowan. Given the direction of the lines, and given the way they keep shoving the word "classic" down our throats in every RYC book, I can't help but wonder if there was a conscious decision to shunt off knitters like me -- fill in your adjective here: over 35, more experienced knitters, less trendoid -- to the RYC line, leaving Rowan Magazine to be more trendy and hip. (Query whether we trust Rowan to make these kinds of fashion decisions, upon seeing the sorry state of the R2 line that debuted two years ago and landed with a thud.)

Regardless of the motivation, I was delighted by the new RYC books, which feature some really lovely and interesting designs. Certainly they are not as cutting edge as the stuff in the Rowan Magazine, but I quite like them. Classic Summer features the Cashcotton DK and 4-ply yarns. This is exactly the kind of Skippy vest my dear husband would love (maybe in some less fey colors):



Here's a lovely textured sweater for the gals:



And a cabled sweater that doesn't look baggy, boxy and unattractive:



Am I deluding myself? or does this baby NOT have dropped sleeves?

The Classic Beach book is devoted to the new Natural Silk Aran, which I definitely want to try soon (after the fifty-five other things I need to finish), and here's a cropped scoop-neck top that I think nicely straddles the line between looking contemporary without too outre to wear:



And a lacey eyelet/texture pullover:



And -- dare I say it? -- a clever shrug that is more than just a rectangle sewn together for sleeves?



This one's from the Classic Art book.

Again, the thoughts of my commenters are always welcome. I have to cut this post a little short today, as my daughter is suffering from an ear infection and therefore I am suffering from it, too.