Customer Reviews

Vogue Knitting on the Go! Shawls

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The patterns are varied, ranging from difficult to easy. I enjoyed flipping through and getting ideas from this book. However, when I was trying to match my stash to the shawl patterns I noticed that several of the patterns do not specify how many skeins are needed. The format is generally [number of balls] of [type of yarn]. For the type of yarn, they specify the weight and yardage for the individual ball, but not the total yardage for the entire project. So without the number of skeins needed, it is a wild guess for the knitter. With missing something as basic as this, it makes me worry about all the instructions. Definitely a rush to press here, wait for the next edition.

The designs are wonderful. I am currently knitting the Kureyon shawl that is featured on the cover. However, I have already noticed more than a few mistakes/omissions. This book should have been edited with greater care.

I was looking forward to this book, but was very disappointed once I got it. Several of the patterns were already in their previous books, and one of the others (the sheep shawl) is just four of the sheep scarf from a previous book that are then sewn together. I have enjoyed most of the previous books from the "Vogue Knitting on the Go" series and expected more from this book, but it did not deliver.

I'm knitting the cover shawl now with Kureyon yarns and it's a lovely design although instructions are a bit awkward. Some very lovely shawls are included here especially Meg Swansen's shetland shawl. There are several beginner knitting shawls, some drop stitch shawls, sheep shawl, easy lacework shawls. Negative is that two of the shawls were in VKs scarf book and here just updated with a different yarn. They are by Pam Allen and Shirley Paden. For shawl knitters not an essential purchase but nice enough at this price. My favorite shawl book is still that by Cheryl Oberle.

I have knitted two shawls from this book, the Diamond Shawl and the Vine-Stitch Wrap. I agree that this book is beautifully printed, but poorly edited. The Vine-Stitch Wrap instructions are okay, but a chart would have been most helpful. The instructions for the Diamond Shawl are just flat out incorrect for the beginning rows and make for a very frustrating experience. The chart is helpful once the adjustment for the error is made. For the Shetland Shawl, the instructions for provisional cast-on are very confusing, not instructing you to use the Left Hand to separate the main and the scrap yarns. If I were a novice knitter trying to use this book, I would be bald by now.

This little volume contains a variety of interesting shawls to knit. I would recommend against a novice or a beginner knitter from buying this book. The patterns are more suited to a knitter with more advance skills. While the shawls are pretty the twists and turns one has to do may discourage the most determined knitter.

Like many pattern books, this one is hit or miss. Several of the shawls, like the noro shawl on the cover, are simply lovely and well worth checking the book out. As is pretty usual, there are also the total duds. But on the balance, this is a solid book with many good patterns and several interesting ideas.

This book was terribly dissapointing. It is filled mainly with ridiculous shawls that most people would never wear. A sheep shawl? Come on! I have found far more beautiful patterns on the internet for shawls that are not only beautiful, but functional and wearable for all sorts of occasions. Don't waste your money on this.

I love Vogue Knitting's "On the Go" series. Though a few of the patterns are duds, for the most part the styles and colors simply pop on the pages. There are a wide range of skill levels and some really beautiful designs that I can't wait to get my hands on. I really love this series because I can see how I will move up in difficulty as I learn more.

Good selection of different patterns - only a couple I would make for myself, but interesting designs.