Knitting New Scarves: 27 Distinctly Modern Designs (Paperback)

by Lynne Barr (Author), Tyllie Barbosa (Photographer)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Scarves are often the first garments beginning knitters try. Then, when they feel ready for a greater creative thrill, they move on to other types of garments. In Knitting New Scarves, Lynne Barr beckons all levels of knitters back to their humble beginnings and then wows them with 27 spectacularly modern designs, each created using an innovative new technique or a unique take on a traditional one.

This novel approach, which dares knitters to rethink what is possible by simply manipulating knits and purls, leads to a collection of flattering, functional, and fun-to-make accessories. Imagine a scarf that looks like a strand of black pearls or unfolds like an accordion, one that playfully draws inspiration from the famed Chanel jacket or a twisting futuristic high-rise.

Every scarf is shown in its finished form in beautiful still-lifes by photographer Tyllie Barbosa, and, when unusual techniques are called for, up-close step-by-step photos are provided as well. This means every scarf in this masterful collection is both captivating and accessible for all levels of knitters.

About the Author
LYNNE BARR has led hand-knitting workshops in the U.S., taught machine knitting to factory workers in Haiti, and designed sweaters for upscale boutiques. With her husband she designed and produced a commemorative sweater for L.L. Bean and co-authored two books: Sweaterscapes of the North Country and Sweaterscapes of the American West. Barr lives in Maine.

TYLLIE BARBOSA is a Chicago-based photographer specializing in food and product photography.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Stewart, Tabori and Chang STC Craft Melanie Falick Book (September 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584796332
• ISBN-13: 978-1584796336
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #43,591 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing and unique book, September 25, 2007

By	travel knitter (Australia) - See all my reviews

This book really is amazing. I just had to say it. I absolutely love this book, and this is the first time I've ever given a book five stars.

Firstly, the production and presentation is spot-on. Each of the 27 scarves in this book is photographed beautifully, and the layout is lovely. Each picture is beautifully styled and the photos are clear (no fuzzy 'artistic' shots that prevent you from actually seeing the finished product in focus).

There are absolutely no standard beginners' projects in this book - every pattern introduces new and interesting techniques. Many of the techniques are so unique that the book includes full colour photographs of each step, to make the instructions clear. Many require the use of double-pointed needles to get an unconventional result.

The scarves in this book have a very structural, architectural quality to them - there are patterns that include pleats, waves, wedges, and triangular shaped corners. To look at the finished product I would have had absolutely no idea how the scarves were made, and I have been reading through the techniques with fascination. I haven't started making any of the patterns yet, but I can't wait - I just need to decide where to start.

I have been knitting for a few years and would consider myself to be an intermediate knitter. However this is the most inspiring book I have come across yet, with truly unique ideas and techniques. Highly recommended for anyone interested in knitting something with a very special structural feel.

41 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars knitting is for process, October 10, 2007

By	M. Poller (Israel) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

There are knitters who love to knit just for the fun and challenges and others who are mainly interested in the knitting as end product. This book is more for the first type of knitter. I am hopeful that by making these scarves I can add new techniques to use in other types of knitting. There are several techniqes new to me and they are well described with up-close photos. The scarves are very structural based many of them on buildings. Next time I look at a strangely shaped building, I will have to think about using it in a scarf! The colors used here are pretty dead but there are some really interesting scarves that colors used well could really brighten up. The scarf that most interests me is using i-cords in weaving them. Short rows are used a lot to make interesting spirals. The difficulty level varies but even a beginner could make some of them and then move on after that. Yarns called for are pretty easy to find as they are mainly worsted weight although the ones here are a bit more pricey than others. Knitter's choice. I am not very excited by the color photos but the up-close technical ones taken by the author as she knit are really good. Also, a good spiral binding would have been a better choice than this one. Each scarf is introduced by the author so you get the background on why it was done that way. Very good book and the first review here alerted me to buy this book. Thank you and thanks Amazon for these reviews as I buy mainly sight unseen.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars doesn't need fancy stitches!, November 3, 2007

By	Jen "garden designer" (Alameda, CA) - See all my reviews

One reviewer complained that the patterns were done mostly in garter stitch- having just now purchased the book at a brick and mortar retail store (I couldn't wait to get it on Amazon once I saw it) and having read the intro this afternoon, the whole point of the book is to explore various construction techniques and to spur the reader to experiment with some new tools. You are encouraged to do your own thing, and if you do want to make a scarf like the one in the book, then good for you! If not, then try these techniques with whatever stitches or yarns you want.

The author doesn't need to wow us with exotic fibers or fancy colors, rather she focuses on the structure and leaves it to the reader to augment.

This book is educational, pretty enough, and simple- it does not need further embellishment, and the scarf on the cover is no where near the most interesting example in the book.

If you want to learn some new techniques, this is a great read- if you want someone to put it together with all your favorite yarns et al, go find something from Martha Stewart.