Non-Fiction Book Reviews

Book Review: Vogue Knitting Shawls & Wraps

By Sandy Amazeen Dec 17, 2009, 17:16 GMT

A shawl can keep you warm in the winter, top off an elegant evening dress, or chase away the chill on a summer evening. It\'s the perfect addition to any wardrobe-and the perfect project for any knitter who\'s tired of working on scarf after scarf and wants to move on to something new. Vogue Knitting Shawls & Wraps presents 25 of the magazine\'s most gorgeous wraps, all created by today\'s ...more

Whether your tastes run to chunky funky or lacey elegance, there are shawls to appeal to every preference in this collection of forty-three designs. Many of the patterns like the simple Felted Shawl worked in stockinette and garter stitch are easy enough for beginning knitters to tackle with confidence. Yet there are enough challenging designs to engage the experienced knitter as shown in the lovely Lacy Leaves Shawl knit in cashmere with added beaded embellishments. It is nice to see several stash-buster patterns like the easy Striped Wrap that evokes the feel of Guatemalan weavings or the Patchwork Wrap created from a series of diagonally knit squares.

Large photographs coupled with clear instructions and yarn substitution suggestions provide knitters with an excellent look at the finished product; its construction, blocking and finishing details. The intricate lace patterns include both row-by-row and standard stitch charts which will appeal to those who work readily from one but not the other. While not all the designs will appeal to everyone, the diversity assures this book a place alongside the popular Vogue Knitting Shawls on the Go released in 2006.