The Mermaid Shawl & other Beauties: Shawls, Cocoons & Wraps (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Why do what has already been done? More than a book of patterns, The Mermaid Shawl & other Beauties, is designed to help knitters create their own works of knitted lace art. The signature shawl was introduced in 2005 on Kathleen Valentine's blog and subsequently described in a knit-along but throughout the knit-along Valentine encouraged knitters to make different choices that made their shawl unique to them. Now, using the same principles, she offers techniques, diagrams, charts and tips that allow knitters to customize each shawl for their own original work of art. The book contains instruction for three versatile shawl styles, how to turn a rectangular shawl into a cocoon, a chapter on knitting on the bias, tips and tricks, and an original short-story, The Mermaid Shawl, inspired by the signature shawl.

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Parlez-Moi Press (March 19, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0978594029
• ISBN-13: 978-0978594022
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #199,863 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring!, April 28, 2009

By	North Shore Mo "maureenmo3" (Ipswich, MA USA) - See all my reviews

Disclaimer: I am not an expert knitter. Even so, the first night I had this book, I was compelled to put a new project on the needles, despite already having way too many works in progress.

Kathleen Valentine's approach in this book is NOT to supply rigid patterns for shawl making. Instead, she describes her approach to lace knitting and supplies advice, examples, and charts to enable the knitter to design her own shawls. For a knitter who might be afraid to strike out on her own immediately, the instructions are clear and detailed enough to follow to make one of Kathleen's shawls. I can see this book becoming one of my favorite references. There are diagrams included that I can also use to design crocheted shawls.

I also appreciate that the models who were photographed around Cape Ann, Massachusetts, are lovely women of various ages.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Lace Shawls, August 2, 2009

By	Bonnie Brody "Fairbanks Reader" (Fairbanks, Alaska) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

What a beautiful book. The author goes into great detail about how to knit the Mermaid shawl. The photographs and instructions are very clear. If you've never knit a complicated lace shawl, this book will help. It is definitely for the experienced knitter. I have three criteria for buying a knitting book.

1) Are there patterns in the book that I want to knit

2) Are the patterns easy to read.

3) Can I use the book as a resource.

The answer to all three questions is 'yes' . Even though there is primarily only one pattern, there is a bonus section with other wraps and shawls to knit. The photographs are not only beautiful, but clear. The lace techniques challenge me to improve my skills and to create more beautiful knitted pieces. I highly recommend this book. When you're not knitting, you'll be looking at this book over and over again for inspiration.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed, October 8, 2009

By	Carolyn Headen "crh" (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

I like knitting books that provide the specifics on the yarns used for a book's photographs--even if they are discontinued yarns. I like knitting books that povide a pattern with an accurate amount of yarn needed to make it--not "unraveled from an over-sized designer sweater I bought". I like knitting books that, when they show a sample design--provide the pattern and not instruct the reader that the lace pattern is available in a lot of other lace books. Yes it does provide a guide to creating your own lace shawls and stoles. Call me strange, but I really like specifics and this book leaves gaping holes in the printed word. I received this book from amazon.com today and had to write a review because it is a newly published book.

If you want to make beautiful shawls and stoles, with comprehensive instructions--buy Jackie Erickson-Scheitzer's patterns. They are truly divine and you'll get rave reviews on the finished garment.