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Book Review: Knit Scarves and Shawls Now

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Knit scarves and shawls now book reviewI’ve been enjoying the discussion on the giveaway post this week and seeing that a lot of people are knitting a lot of cowls.

But for those who aren’t, maybe this book will prove more interesting. Knit Scarves and Shawls Now: Over 40 Designs from Classic to Trendsetting is pretty much just what it says it is: a collection of patters for shawls and scarves, many of which would be quick to knit.

By my count there are in fact 41 patterns — 3 are rated easy, 22 for intermediate knitters and 16 for those with more experience. You can see some of the patterns from the original version on Ravelry (the book is translated from German).

There are a great variety of design options, including loops and cowls, straight scarves, projects shaped by short rows, color blocked patterns, bobbles, lace, cables and tons of brioche. (By the end I was going, really? more brioche? And I like brioche.)

There’s stranded knitting, slip stitches, textured stripes, bulky lace and bobbles. Delicate shawls, chunky cowls and fuzzy scarves. There’s probably something for everyone.

Some of my favorites include a simple, circular, striped cowl worked in two color Garter Stitch in mohair blend yarn; a little caplet with a simple ladder lace pattern and an I-cord flower embellishment; a shifting brioche scarf in sunny yellow wool; a wavy rectangular shawl with a lave pattern reminiscent of water lilies; and a classic Garter Stitch shawl worked in short row wedges and a chunky multicolored yarn.

Some of the charts are at the back of the book rather than with the patterns, which could be a little annoying when working with them (it’s also kind of hard to focus on the one chart you need in a page full of charts). But that’s not a huge deal to get to make some of these fun projects.

Book specifications: 96 pages, paperback, 41 patterns. Trafalgar Square Books, published August, 2015. Suggested retail $22.95.

 

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Looking for more amazing shawl patterns? Check out these Knitting patterns we found on Etsy.

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Comments

  1. This sounds like a wonderful book!! Cowls and Shawls combined. Not only would I be learning about making cowls, but from your description, I would also be learning new stitch techniques!! I’m so excited about this book, that I’m almost jumping up and down in my desk chair!! Thank you for another terrific giveaway!!

Have you read?

Stitch Your Favorite Fruit on a Sweater

The other day I saw a post from Pinterest about trends for summer and it said one of them was “cultivating whimsy.” 

Well, I don’t know where Pinterest has been all this time, but we’ve been cultivating whimsy here at Craft Gossip for a long time. I love sharing projects that are a little different, things that make you smile when you see them, and will make you smile when you knit them and wear them or use them. 

Such it is with the Tutti Frutti tee knitting pattern from Bea Creative Knits. 

This cute little baby tee is worked top down in the round with contiguous shoulder construction to shape the sleeve caps. There are short rows for the neckline and folded hems with picot edging at the hemline, neckline and edges of the sleeves. 

All of this would be great on its own, but then there’s the addition of a super cute fruit icon, which is added with duplicate stitch. There are a lot of options, including strawberry, banana, orange, cherries, watermelon, lemon, blueberries, kiwi, peach, dragon fruit, apple and pear, so it’s likely you can add on your favorite fruit. 

It is offered in eight sizes, to fit a bust measurement ranging from 28-30 inches (71-76 cm) to 56-58 inches (142-147 cm). The design is meant to be worn with around 6.3 inches/16 cm of negative ease, but you can choose the fit you prefer. There’s also optional bust and waist shaping included in the pattern if you want to make it even curvier.

This is considered an advanced beginner or intermediate project because of all the skills involved, but it’s sure to be a lot of fun even if some of these techniques are new to you.

Grab a copy of the pattern for yourself form Bea Creative Knits on Etsy. 

[Photo: Bea Creative Knits]