Rating: 
Summary: Wonderfully instructive!
Review: As a somewhat inexperienced knitter (been knitting very little more than stockinette stitch for nigh on 30 years), I found this book to be excellent! The patterns -- reworked from traditional designs into knitting patterns reflective of the origins and intentions of the originals -- are lovely, and the photographs give you a marvelous preview of what the finished product should look like. Of course, the one that I chose was one of the most complex in the book. The charting and instruction given, including (and especially) the section on techniques, were most helpful, and I was able to create an heirloom quality piece without running to anyone in the middle of the night for assistance. I'm eager to try another!BE ADVISED: It does take quite a long time to finish some of these projects. It has taken me three months to finish one since I don't have large blocks of time to spend. Not sure how many hours total, but it's been well worth the investment in time.
Rating: 
Summary: Elegant and satisfying...
Review: As other reviewers have mentioned, shawls and wraps--especially hand-knitted ones--suffer from unfortunate connotations of aged decrepitude or hippy-dippy New-Age peasantry. This book, however, manages to integrate history, folk tradition and beautiful taste without invoking the Shawl Curse.
A perfect combination of simplicity and style sets off these well-chosen designs, making "Folk Shawls" a pleasure to browse as well as to use. These are elegant, sophisticated garments, beautifully presented. You may well find yourself considering them as gifts for friends or family members you would never before have labeled shawl-wearers.
Another attribute of this book is clear, well-presented instructions; I have worked practice motifs on nearly all the designs, and have yet to find an error... something I certainly couldn't say about a few other recent knitting book purchases. Even if you tend to buy knitting books more for idle musing and planning than prompt execution of projects, it will provide you with much to enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful if not traditional
Review: I bought this book believing that I would be given patterns from traditional shawls - ones straight from the cultures of their origin. But instead the book is a collection of traditional elements rejuggled and made new by the author's considerable talent. I was disappointed not to get the book that I thought I was buying. BUT! The shawls in this book are so elegant and beautiful that it was only a "one-star" disappointment. And I still have "four-star" satisfaction with the whole purchase.
Rating:
Summary: a must own for the knitters library,,,,
Review: I find I am more cautious spending money on any book on as I become a more knowledgable and discerning knitter/ crocheter.
This book falls into that catagory,,,,,,
For me ,,the criteria is that a book be filled with information, as well as inspiration. Books like the E. Zimmerman series, the B. Walker series,, as well as a personal favorite, The Sweater Worshop fit that bill,,,,,,,,,,
All are loaded with information that will assist any knitter attain personal goals they aspire to ,, and help them to be thinking as well as`creative knitters.
Yarn and needles then become brush and canvas to create a thing of beauty ,,,,,,,
The reason for that being my personal criteria in knitting/crochet publications,, is that I see that there is a sickening overabundance of needleart books that are nothing more than stockpiled patterns ,, easily obtained from many free web resources.
This shawl book is most definately NOT about hippie -dippie beaded shawls,,,, we are talking shawls that are works of knitted art ,(that will lavish the wearer with a LOT of compliments!!!,,,,,)
If we go into knitting history worldwide, we see that the knitted shawl is found in almost every culture,,,,,,,,and,,, can easily follow one thru life,,
For a newborn, is there any better present than a lovely shawl???
The recipeint of that heirloom ( make no mistake, it indeed is,,,,) can wear this thru life ,,and still hand it down to another generation to cherish.
With all the shawl books that are published today, this book is NOT to be confused with the current "trendier" types of shawl/poncho books, tho,,,,all of these shawls would be absolutly smashing for today's look,,,,,,,, AND work as well 10 years from now.!!!!
( can anyone ever say that the little black dress,, with a strand of pearls ,,, and perfect shawl will EVER look dated or dowdy????)
Personally I do not waste precious time and money knitting something trendy (unless its a quick gift that is fun for a child or something,,)
This book is about elegant simplicity,, though all knitting levels are well represented,, beginner to advanced techniques.
What you invest in knitting time on any shawl you set out to make, will be rewarded with many years of classic good looks.
This also needs to be said ,,we are not talking about working on size 2 needles either,,,we are really talking about patterns that are lovely but workable in todays hectic life,,,,,and not unattainable in terms of knitting time,,,,,,,
Is there ANY coat/suit/dress/skirt or slacks,,(jeans or capri's too??) that could NOT be enhanced with a great looking shawl?
No question ,,this book needs to be on any serious knitters shelf as a resource for shawls,,,,,,this,,,like many of the real classic knitting books,,, is a keeper!
Rating:
Summary: Nice book!
Review: I liked this book. It has pictures of every project. There are
very nice patterns in this book. I've only just started on my first project from this book. So far I've understood all the instructions, considering I am still a beginner.
Rating:
Summary: A knitter's delight!
Review: I resisted buying this book for quite a while because I had been disappointed by an earlier purchase of a book about knitted shawls. I'm SO glad I gave in and ordered it! This book had what I missed in the other book - descriptive histories of the particular style or origin of shawl traditions from many countries (mentioned in other reviews). The historical perspective is fascinating and inspires thought about the day-to-day reality of the women who knitted them and the role that shawls and knitting played in women's lives. The shawl is perhaps one of the oldest of garments, worn by women in all kinds of rites of passage: as christening blankets, wedding veils, winding sheets, in celebration, in work, in prayer and in mourning. Surprisingly, while the shawls pictured are faithfully drawn from the traditional style of each country, none of them look dated or dowdy - all are superbly wearable today. The photographic presentation of the shawls is excellent - modeled by the author in a manner to focus on the shawl itself, its drape, its pattern, its construction. The shawls range in knitting challenge from beginner to advanced; from simple garter stitch to intricate lace pattern. The construction variations are fascinating - rectangular, triangular, square, butterfly-shaped, pieced. Each shawl pattern is presented in photograph and line drawing with both line-by-line and charted knitting directions. It is clear that much research, thought and love went into this book. Even if you don't wear shawls ("you just haven't met the right shawl", says the author), this book is a must-have for every true knitter's library.
Rating:
Summary: Phenomenal!
Review: I thought this book was overblown on the knit lists... then I picked it up. Wow!
Rating:
Summary: Phenomenal!
Review: I thought this book was overblown on the knit lists... then I picked it up. Wow!
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful collection of shawls
Review: Shawls are a great thing to knit. Even for beginners, the lack of shaping (armholes, etc.) allows for a project that can be elegant when finished and is often deceptively easy to make. Shawls are in the fashion news and Cheryl Oberle's book couldn't be timed better. This is primarily a pattern book. Cheryl's designed 25 terrific rectangles, squares and triangles drawing upon international traditions (and her own imagination). She includes a brief history of the tradition as an introduction to each shawl. The photography is wonderful. As for Cheryl being the model, the story (straight from Cheryl's mouth) is that Cheryl was demonstrating how to wear the shawls to the model. The photographer said that there was no way the model would ever wear the shawls as gracefully as Cheryl -- hence Cheryl the model. My only reservation on this book is that it's light on technique. There's a small opening segment with everything one needs to know for the book. But, if you aren't looking to make one of the shawls, this isn't the sort of book you're likely to use as a reference or source of inspiration for your own designs. Skill range -- advanced beginner to expert.
Rating:
Summary: A shawl for everyone
Review: This book was purchased for me as a gift. My favorites to knit have always been small items. That is, until I received this book. The pictures are beautiful, and the patterns are clear and easy to follow. Most of them come in both chart and written instructions. I have read the descriptions of the myths and legends surrounding these works of art over and over again. Also, there is a wide variety of shawls, from small triangles to very large squares! I have to mention that there is a few errors, and if you look online you can find the corrections. I would suggest that anyone who knits order this book....and be prepared to start knitting yourself a shawl!
|
