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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.

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?

Knit a Classic Aran Cardigan with this Free Knitting Pattern

Not too long ago I did a test knit for another designer that was for a cabled cardigan. It’s really cozy and nice but it just about broke me in a ton of different ways. I couldn’t get gauge, which I suppose is my own problem, but mainly I was somehow both bored and forced to pay attention at the same time. 

Because it used the same cable all over, I always had to know what row I was on, but nine out of ten of those rows, nothing in particular was going on. So I couldn’t stop paying attention, but what I needed to attend to was boring. 

It may have ruined me for knitting cabled sweaters, but maybe I just need something that’s more engaging. Like this Modern Aran Cardigan pattern from Lion Brand Yarn. 

This is a reworking of an old pattern from their archives, and you can tell that form the classic look of the cables and the oversized feel (nothing cropped about this one!). It has allover cables, but like a classic Aran sweater it’s not the same cable, so you’ll have to pay attention to what row you’re on and what cable turns happen for which cables on that row. 

Because of this, it’s considered an intermediate knitting pattern, but if you’re comfortable working from multiple charts at once it shouldn’t be a problem for you. There are three different charts and seven different cable moves. 

Also because the pattern is so big and boxy there are only two sizes available, with a finished chest measurement of either 49 or 63 inches (that’s 124.5 or 160 cm). It’s up to you to decide how much ease you would like and whether that will work for your body. 

The pattern uses worsted weight yarn (and calls for another classic, Lion Brand Fisherman’s Wool). It calls for six buttons and includes pockets to make it extra cozy. 

This one looks like a great winter project to make and to wear if you’re up for a bit of a challenge. You can grab the free pattern or buy a kit with the yarn needed direct from Lion Brand Yarn. 

[Photo: Lion Brand Yarn]