Knitted Shawls, Stoles, and Scarves

Rating:
Summary: Uneven quality of patterns
Review: The patterns look beautiful on pictures, but some of the pictures are misleading. For example, the picture of Textured Squares Mohair Shawl shows a full-sized shawl draped around the shoulders. I have knit it with the recommended gauge, and found out that the only way the shawl can drape like this is if you wear it sideways. The shawl is very long in the back and too short in the front (barely covered my relatively small chest). Wearing it sideways is impractical in any situation apart from posing for a picture. The pattern did not state finished dimensions, and the picture was misleading. I ended up ripping the whole thing. I wanted to knit the Gossamer Shawl, but then realized that its picture also did not offer a full view of the shawl, so I skipped it. On the positive side, I knit Chenille Diagonal Lace Scarf, and it turned out great.
I would recommend to editors of knitting books to follow the example of Cheryl Oberle's Folk Shawls, and show each shawl in the clearest way possible.

Rating:
Summary: super shawls
Review: Chock full of one beautiful design after another, this book and its presentation make it difficult to decide which shawl to try first. The patterns are inventive but not overly complicated, resulting in professional-looking garments with a designer look. Directions are clear and comprehansible. Yes, the yarns used in the photos are expensive, but there are so many cheaper but still lovely substitutes on the market these days, that cost doesn't have to be prohibitive, and you can still attain great looks. I've even substituted yarns of different weights than those specified, and while the size of the shawl is bigger or smaller, I've been happy with them all. Achievable challenges, never boring - my idea of great knitting.

Rating:
Summary: Techniques Great But Exclusively Luxury Yarns Are Used
Review: I agree with the previous reviewer. The techniques in this book are great. And most of the designs are to my taste -- none of them look as if they are really for old hippies with their hair up in buns, too often the image presented by shawls. The caveat with this book is that all the yarns called for are extemely expensive. I am not sorry I bought this book but I don't think I will be knitting anything in the yarn specified.

Rating:
Summary: Most disappointing,,,,,,,,,,,
Review: I really took my time looking at this book as I was looking for a book on shawls that would be a worthwhile addition to my stitching library.

One could figure out any pattern themselves if they had any of the B. Walker Treasury of Knitting books,,,,but I wanted something that was inspirational so to speak.

I was disappointed in this book and did end up purchasing FOLK SHAWLS instead,
,,,,,,,,,,,,there simply is no comparison in terms of the amount of patterns, sytles and choices available between the 2 books.
(I looked at other books also..)

I did find one pattern worth making up and probably will,, it was simple and unique,,,,but almost all other patterns depend exclusively on getting a specialty yarn,,( essentially its the yarn that makes it,,,) BUT,, the fact is your shawl will simply not look as good with out the use of some very pricey yarns.

Personally,, I chose not to spend money on books that offer me little choice... and, more importantly,,,,,will not be a book I would want to work out of five years from now.

That said, there is nothing wrong with this method,,,, as long as you hace a clear understanding of what you are purchasing.

For instance, one shawl called for 3 skeins of Prism's " Cool Stuff". I have purchased this yarn in the past, it did at the time,, cost me about 250$ for three skeins ( I made up a jacket ,)
If it is your heart's desire to base all your projects exclusively on the use of specialty yarns than this book is something you may enjoy, though I do want to note that I waited quite a few months to get the Prism yarn of my choice since it is backordered almost all the time as I was told,,,,

Additionally I was also on the look out to find ways to incorporate learning into projects,,,,,, I am sorry to say,,,that COOL STUFF done in entrelac is not something I would want to wear as an shawl ( in entrelac that is).
Clearly this would look like something that would look beautiful over a nice chair or in a special room,,,,but as a shawl in this particular pattern,,its extremely heavy looking for most people to wear.
( again,, it would make up a lovely throw,,,,,really!)

Take a look at books at the LYS, library or book store,, and do some comparison shopping before ordering.

I took the time to search through several books and I am really glad that I did.


Rating:
Summary: A winner
Review: It's not often that I want to make nearly every item in a book or magazine, but I'll soon be starting my third project from this book. These projects are fast and great for gifts--the Shoulder Warmer Shawl took just three days, and that included time for ripping out and redoing when I paid more attention to the Olympics than to my knitting chart. I'm an experienced knitter (40 years, egads!), but my previous experience with charts was for intarsia patterns, not lace. This book taught me how to read charts (and by the way, there's an error in the line numbering on the Lace Scarf...it's supposed to be odd-numbered rows only, yet there's a row 20 in there...just renumber 'em all after row 19. The chart is fine).

The suggested yarns are (in many cases) expensive, but if you work up some gauge swatches, you can use less-pricey substitutes. Local yarn shops can also help you with substitutions. I found Euroflax's sportweight linen online at a great price, so I'll be making the Linen Lace Shawl using the suggested yarn. (Sometimes, a girl's gotta splurge a little.)

Except for that one minor error, I found the instructions clear, the photographs great, and the chapter introductions were full of helpful hints. This one's a keeper.

Rating:
Summary: good
Review: There are several nice patterns in this book, and pictures for
every project which is nice. Most of the yarns called for are expensive, and hard to find. I'm sure you could use similar yarns for a similar effect. The directions are good.

Rating:
Summary: good
Review: There are several nice patterns in this book, and pictures for
every project which is nice. Most of the yarns called for are expensive, and hard to find. I'm sure you could use similar yarns for a similar effect. The directions are good.

Rating:
Summary: Give it a second look.....
Review: These shawls and wraps are creative, but some of color combos are awful. If I had picked this book up in a fiber store, I probably would not have bought it because I don't find the items pictured as particularly attractive. However, giving it a second glance (now that I have purchased it sight unseen) I find a number of items I might actually make. I often become chilled right in the middle of my back. Wearing a sweater makes me too warm. And while I like Challi wool scarves, I find they often slip off at inopportune moments. I detest heavy turtle neck sweaters, and pullover weskets that men wear, so I have gone to vests of all sizes and shapes, though the ones that keep me warm in the right spots are often unstylish. Besides, after a while one can become awfully tired of donning a vest for work everyday.

So, I was pleased to discover a great new (to me) item of clothing, a scarf that sits on your shoulders like a small buttoned stole. Nancy Wisemen, author of KNITTED SHAWLS, STOLES, AND SCARVES, has included several diagonal and square scarves that fit over your head and rest on your shoulder. They don't make you feel smothered like a turtleneck, and they don't overheat your arms and lower chest. Made with mohair or a light wool, they are featherweight, so you don't feel as if you are carrying a pack on your back. (Some items are to be constructed with cotton).

By knitting, I am resuming the use of an abandoned skill, so I am fairly rusty. The items in KSSS will stretch me a bit, they are not for beginners.

Rating:
Summary: Techniques Great But Exclusively Luxury Yarns Are Used
Review: This is a book for knitters who want short projects that teach new and challenging techniques without the added problems of how to make the garment fit. The following techniques are showcased: sideways knitting and shaping, diagonal knitting, textured squares, slip stitch pattern, cables, short rows, lace, garter stitch squares, interlocking diamonds, entrelac and intarsia. The major plus of the book is that before each pattern, the technique to be used is discussed in some detail, boosting the knitter's understanding before attempting to follow the directions. In most of the patterns, the knitter can chose between making a scarf or making a stole or shawl (which would obviously take more time). Line-by-line directions are given, as well as a line drawing of the finished piece. Charts are provided for the more difficult techniques, i.e. textured squares, cables, lace and intarsia. Colored diagrams are provided for the garter stitch squares, the interlocking diamonds and the entrelac. If you are knitter looking for short projects to teach yourself a new technique, this book may be just what you are looking for. For myself, I personally was not interested in making any of the projects because the finished items didn't appeal to me. Cheryl Oberle's "Folk Shawls" was much more my cup of tea. But the knitting world is huge and growing and there is room for all.

Rating:
Summary: Emphasis on challenging techniques.
Review: This is a book for knitters who want short projects that teach new and challenging techniques without the added problems of how to make the garment fit. The following techniques are showcased: sideways knitting and shaping, diagonal knitting, textured squares, slip stitch pattern, cables, short rows, lace, garter stitch squares, interlocking diamonds, entrelac and intarsia. The major plus of the book is that before each pattern, the technique to be used is discussed in some detail, boosting the knitter's understanding before attempting to follow the directions. In most of the patterns, the knitter can chose between making a scarf or making a stole or shawl (which would obviously take more time). Line-by-line directions are given, as well as a line drawing of the finished piece. Charts are provided for the more difficult techniques, i.e. textured squares, cables, lace and intarsia. Colored diagrams are provided for the garter stitch squares, the interlocking diamonds and the entrelac. If you are knitter looking for short projects to teach yourself a new technique, this book may be just what you are looking for. For myself, I personally was not interested in making any of the projects because the finished items didn't appeal to me. Cheryl Oberle's "Folk Shawls" was much more my cup of tea. But the knitting world is huge and growing and there is room for all.