Customer Reviews

Scarf Style (Style series)

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I consider myself an intermediate knitter and was really hesitant about getting this book. I didn't think I'd have anything to learn from a scarf book. Boy was I wrong. There are some really great ideas here; ones that you can also translate into a larger garment like a poncho or even a sweater. The instructions are clear and easy to follow.

My problem is with the photography. While they are great photos they often focus more on the model's face than on the scarves. Many of the photos either don't show all of the scarf or have a soft-focus so that your eyes get bleary trying to see the how the stitch pattern hangs at the bottom of the scarf. You get great impressions of the scarf but not a good look at them. I would definitely want this photographer to take pictures at my wedding or of my kids, but I found her style very frustrating when trying to get a picture of what the knitted item looks like.

This book has scarves for everyone. There are manly cables, colorful tapestries, dainty laces. There is a fuzzy, elegant mohair wrap that is a scarf, yeah, it's just a scarf and Itzhak Perlman is just a fiddler.

There are funky scarves with fringe in the middle instead of the ends (like a serape), there are chenille scarves, intricate intarsia dragons, plain garter, you name it. If you were a knitter who wanted to start with scarves and grow into knitting techniques, this book would take you from relatively simple knitting to magnificent advanced technique. All while making your Christmas presents for friends and family. My particular favorite was a weird but wonderful shrug; it's two arms and a turtleneck and NOTHING else--like a body-less sweater. I love it--if you want your shoulders and wrists warm, but are too hot in a conventional turtleneck, this may be for you. If you don't want to face questions about where the rest of the sweater went (moths?) then you can wrap the arms around your neck as if it were a standard scarf. Is that fun or what? I'm knitting one for me, for sure.

I'm going on record saying I like the photography. This is a fun, fun book and really changed my mind about scarves. Not boring anymore, no way. Highly recommended for almost any knitter, but especially those who are familiar with colorwork, texture, intarsia and cabling. And there are a few crochet patterns as well. Highly recommended if you want to knit a scarf.

I ordered this book and could hardly wait to receive it. It arrived today and having just looked through it, I can't comment on the accuracy or clarity of the patterns. The range of styles and skill levels seems to be just what I was hoping for. That being said, my only complaint, thus far, is that the photography is beautiful, but useless if you want to really see how the scarf looks, how it is put together, how the pattern(s) works, etc. For the most part, the full length photos are in soft-focus, with the clearest focus being the part of the scarf that is tied or wrapped around the neck. The "tail" of the scarf, which would give you the best idea of its pattern or construction, is fuzzy. The small photos showing the details of the stitch pattern certainly don't give any idea how the overall scarf looks. For example, one scarf has an intricate color pattern forming a good portion of the ends; the center is an Aran pattern. One photo focuses on the color portion with the cabled portion blurred; another focuses only on the Aran pattern. How the two completely different patterns look together is anybody's guess. The inability of the reader/knitter to get an overall idea of the various scarves is a major drawback of the book. After waiting for the book to be published and then for my copy to arrive, I was extremely disappointed, almost (but not quite) to the point of returning the book. I really hope the patterns, themselves, aren't as muddled as the photos. February 27: As an update to my original review, I would also like to add that, yes, I think the photos are beautiful; and the creativity of the designers is remarkable! Who would have thought scarves could be so beautiful, complex, and challenging? My only complaint was (and still is) that many of the photos simply aren't useful in discerning the interplay of the pattern(s)

First off, I have to respond to some other reviewers' comments. Yes, the patterns are mostly knit, very few crochet. But the title doesn't lead you to believe there's an equal mix. Second, the crochet patterns are most certainly NOT ugly. The Turkish inspired scarf is drop-dead gorgeous with the intricacy of its design and color palette. The Retro crochet scarf is delicate and feminine. And I have to say that the Floral Trellis crochet scarf is one of my favorites- Bohemian, whimsical and fun- wear it in a Minnesota winter if you miss your garden!

As with any collection like this, you can't please everybody. Some scarves seemed weird to me- a scarf with paper yarn and stainless steel yarn? Er, Japanese or not, a bit too outrageous. I think none of the scarves are for the beginner knitter. Several are intimidatingly complex. So what? You might buy the book and your skills might grow with it. Certainly scarves themselves will never go out of style. You can afford to splurge on some expensive yarn for a scarf if not for a sweater (a case in point, the Vintage Velvet Scarf, $75 for 5 balls of Muench Touch Me, oh but what a yarn!)

I like the fact that Pam Allen took scarves (which are ubiquitous in novelty yarns and garter stitch) and took them to the next level. This book is definitely worth checking out.

I bought this book as I am a fairly new to knitting, and really love scarves, but was looking to develop my knitting further. This was actually the second knitting book I have ever purchased (after Stitch n Bitch of course). Ultimately, I haven't been disappointed.

I agree with many of the comments from previous reviewers that the photos are focused on the models rather than the scarves themselves, so there is often not a particularly clear visual image of the finished product. However, I have found that the instructions themselves are fine, and the photos add to the gorgeous presentation of the book.

Many of the designs are certainly complex and extremely creatively designed - not for the faint hearted or novice knitter. However, there are many simpler patterns included, and discussion at the back of the book on how to design simple, basic scarves starting from the most basic garter stitch scarf- where many new knitters first start out. Many of the patterns are amazingly creative, and push the boundaries at to what constitues the definition of a 'scarf'. There really is something for everyone in this book.

This book really is inspirational, and I keep finding myself picking it up off the shelf just to look through, even when I don't have time to knit! It has quickly become a classic among knitters, and certainly deserves a spot on every knitter's bookshelf.

I have just been in radiation isolation in the hospital for 2 whole days. Took a paperback that turned out to be a dud, and Pam Allen's scarf book. Have had her book for a couple of months and it looked great. Having read nothing but her book for the past 2 days, I can say it's really a great book. So many tibdits. And just about every other one I want to make. 31 projects in all. So creative and fun. Not one is your typical scarf. Thank you Pam, I look forward to your new book coming out on ponchos.

I'm with those reviewers in favor of the photographs in this knitting/crochet compilation. I've found them inspiring. After choosing a pattern to begin with, I enjoyed it and liked the results so much that I knitted 3 or 4 others in different yarns and colors. Scarf Style takes traditional patterns and tweaks them a bit into something new, and presents new scarves in unique shapes and new yarns. Some of the patterns are a bit complex, but the directions are fairly clear and I've been able to meet the challenges. That's how you learn! Very nice collection with many patterns for the money.

This is not your average scarf book. By average I mean garter stitch scarves and more garter stitch scarves. These scarves are inventive, creative and most are fairly simple. These are scarves you want to wear and give away for gifts.

We expect nothing but the best from Pam and Interweave and this book delivers, big time. Ohh and you can turn those twisty scarves into flowers.....

Fantastic book! I highly recommend it.

This is a wonderful book full of great scarf ideas. I enjoy knitting scarves as they are fairly quick projects, easy to take with me wherever I go, and don't use a lot of yarn, so when I saw this book, I knew I had to have it. My favorite pattern is the turtleneck shrug/scarf by Teva Durham, and I'm working on the feather and fan scarf for my mom. There's something for everyone in this book.

I purchased this book hoping for creative takes on scarves, having gotten beyond the "basics." I have serious cautions about this book: (1) Unless you are very experienced, forget it. The scarves are, for the most part very intricate and require way beyond beginner/intermediate skills. Many of them are extremely complicated, and most look like they would take endless hours to complete. (2) In addition to the required skill level, because the scarves are not clearly pictured, it is hard to visualize what they should look like on completion. Again, a problem if you are not an advanced knitter. That being said, if you are an advanced knitter and willing to attack intricate patterns, I am sure that this is a good resource.