Scarf Style: Innovative to Traditional, 31 Inspirational Styles to Knit and Crochet

Rating:
Summary: Great book -- nothing wrong with the photos
Review: Creative ideas for all tastes and level of skill. Clear instructions. Enough already with the comments on the photography -- most projects have at least 2 or 3 different photos and yes it is possible to have a good idea of the scarf pattern from the photos. I almost didn't buy the book because of these comments... good thing my curiosity won over my doubts!



Rating:
Summary: Great Scarves, bad photography
Review: I consider myself an intermediate knitter and was really hesitant about getting this book. I didn't think I'd have anything to learn from a scarf book. Boy was I wrong. There are some really great ideas here; ones that you can also translate into a larger garment like a poncho or even a sweater. The instructions are clear and easy to follow.

My problem is with the photography. While they are great photos they often focus more on the model's face than on the scarves. Many of the photos either don't show all of the scarf or have a soft-focus so that your eyes get bleary trying to see the how the stitch pattern hangs at the bottom of the scarf. You get great impressions of the scarf but not a good look at them. I would definitely want this photographer to take pictures at my wedding or of my kids, but I found her style very frustrating when trying to get a picture of what the knitted item looks like.

Rating:
Summary: Expand your horizons
Review: I have looked through this book a dozen times and leave it on my desk to that I can look at it for inspiration. The women in my knitting store want to work their way through the book and knit them all. I am on my second and planning another. Yes, it is for the more experienced knitter but what a great way to learn new techniques: charts, stitches, short rows, and more! Ask for tips from your local store - it is worth it!

Rating:
Summary: Soft focus on scarves
Review: I ordered this book and could hardly wait to receive it. It arrived today and having just looked through it, I can't comment on the accuracy or clarity of the patterns. The range of styles and skill levels seems to be just what I was hoping for. That being said, my only complaint, thus far, is that the photography is beautiful, but useless if you want to really see how the scarf looks, how it is put together, how the pattern(s) works, etc. For the most part, the full length photos are in soft-focus, with the clearest focus being the part of the scarf that is tied or wrapped around the neck. The "tail" of the scarf, which would give you the best idea of its pattern or construction, is fuzzy. The small photos showing the details of the stitch pattern certainly don't give any idea how the overall scarf looks. For example, one scarf has an intricate color pattern forming a good portion of the ends; the center is an Aran pattern. One photo focuses on the color portion with the cabled portion blurred; another focuses only on the Aran pattern. How the two completely different patterns look together is anybody's guess. The inability of the reader/knitter to get an overall idea of the various scarves is a major drawback of the book. After waiting for the book to be published and then for my copy to arrive, I was extremely disappointed, almost (but not quite) to the point of returning the book. I really hope the patterns, themselves, aren't as muddled as the photos.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful photos, but . . .
Review: I purchased this book hoping for creative takes on scarves, having gotten beyond the "basics." I have serious cautions about this book: (1) Unless you are very experienced, forget it. The scarves are, for the most part very intricate and require way beyond beginner/intermediate skills. Many of them are extremely complicated, and most look like they would take endless hours to complete. (2) In addition to the required skill level, because the scarves are not clearly pictured, it is hard to visualize what they should look like on completion. Again, a problem if you are not an advanced knitter. That being said, if you are an advanced knitter and willing to attack intricate patterns, I am sure that this is a good resource.

Rating:
Summary: Scarves for EVERYONE, and I mean EVERYONE
Review: This book has scarves for everyone. There are manly cables, colorful tapestries, dainty laces. There is a fuzzy, elegant mohair wrap that is a scarf, yeah, it's just a scarf and Itzhak Perlman is just a fiddler.

There are funky scarves with fringe in the middle instead of the ends (like a serape), there are chenille scarves, intricate intarsia dragons, plain garter, you name it. If you were a knitter who wanted to start with scarves and grow into knitting techniques, this book would take you from relatively simple knitting to magnificent advanced technique. All while making your Christmas presents for friends and family. My particular favorite was a weird but wonderful shrug; it's two arms and a turtleneck and NOTHING else--like a body-less sweater. I love it--if you want your shoulders and wrists warm, but are too hot in a conventional turtleneck, this may be for you. If you don't want to face questions about where the rest of the sweater went (moths?) then you can wrap the arms around your neck as if it were a standard scarf. Is that fun or what? I'm knitting one for me, for sure.

I'm going on record saying I like the photography. This is a fun, fun book and really changed my mind about scarves. Not boring anymore, no way. Highly recommended for almost any knitter, but especially those who are familiar with colorwork, texture, intarsia and cabling. And there are a few crochet patterns as well. Highly recommended if you want to knit a scarf.

Rating:
Summary: For experienced knitters only
Review: This book is only for the experienced knitter. They say knit and crochet, but there are only 3 crochet patterns and all are ugly. There are very nice knit scarves, but only a very experienced knitter can make most of them. The pictures aren't helpful either. Most are partially in soft focus, so if you are a visual knitter skip it. Check this one out at the library and save yourself some money.

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic!
Review: This is a wonderful book full of great scarf ideas. I enjoy knitting scarves as they are fairly quick projects, easy to take with me wherever I go, and don't use a lot of yarn, so when I saw this book, I knew I had to have it. My favorite pattern is the turtleneck shrug/scarf by Teva Durham, and I'm working on the feather and fan scarf for my mom. There's something for everyone in this book.

Rating:
Summary: Not your average scarf book!
Review: This is not your average scarf book. By average I mean garter stitch scarves and more garter stitch scarves. These scarves are inventive, creative and most are fairly simple. These are scarves you want to wear and give away for gifts.

We expect nothing but the best from Pam and Interweave and this book delivers, big time. Ohh and you can turn those twisty scarves into flowers.....

Fantastic book! I highly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: Great Scarves and other items!
Review: This is the best book on scarves I have seen...and I've seen many. It has the most beautiful designs I've come across and has a great variety of styles. It also has a grand wrap styled like a ruana or poncho. A wonderful addition to any knitting library.