Review: Magical Shetland Lace Shawls to Knit

Sometimes books fall through the cracks for me a little bit and it takes me longer than it should to review them. I might lose the book somewhere in my office (happens more than I’d like to admit) or I may hesitate because it’s about a style of knitting that I don’t do myself.

That’s probably why it’s taken me so long to get to Magical Shetland Lace Shawls to Knit by Elizabeth Lovick. I’m not into big lace knitting projects, though I can definitely see the appeal for people who are.

And if you are, you’ll probably want to check out this book.

In includes a look at the history of Shetland knitting and is great for knitters without a lot of intricate lace experience because it includes five “apprentice” projects, mini shawls that help you learn the basic shapes and techniques before you tackle a full-sized shawl.

The 15 other patterns are ranked on a skill level of one to three and there are five of each, so you have some choices right away no matter what level you are on. Most of the projects (see them all on Ravelry) are large shawls, but there are also some baby things, a couple of smaller shawls and a scarf.

There’s also a section on core techniques covering tools, yarn, chart reading, keeping your place, adding in yarn, adding borders, fixing mistakes and dressing (aka blocking) your project.

There are also a lot of examples for different ways to wear a shawl, which is helpful.

If you’re into the classic look of Shetland lace projects, you’ll want to give this book a peek. If you’ve knit something from it or have it on your shelf, I’d love to know what you think.

About the book: 144 pages, paperback, 15 patterns. Published September 2105, St. Martin’s Griffin. Suggested retail $24.99.

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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]

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