Shawls and Scarves: The Best of Knitter's Magazine (Best of Knitter's Magazine series) (Paperback)

~ Nancy Thomas (Editor), Alexis Xenakis (Photographer)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This collection of patterns for shawls and scarves originally published over the last 15 years in Knitter's Magazine lives up to the reputation of XRX Books for publishing visually stunning "coffee-table" books that spend more time being read and used than sitting on the coffee table. For a public library, a compilation of this sort has many advantages. It is more sturdy than the original magazine, it brings together designs by theme, and it corrects errors that might have been present in the original patterns. Contributors include a "who's who" of knitwear designers, among them Elizabeth Zimmermann, Meg Swansen, Eugene Beugler, Joan Schrouder, and Priscilla Gibson-Roberts. Most patterns include both charted and written directions as well as full-color photos. Generic yarn recommendations make this collection one that will be used for many years. Highly recommended for public libraries and textile collections.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Subtitles 'The Best of Knitter's Magazine - from Traditional to Trendy...with Easy to Follow Instructions', this large format, 105 page book contains some gorgeous shawls and scarves. Contemporary knitting at its best, I would recommend this book to any knitter. What is better on a warm summer's day than to protect yourself from a sudden drop in temperature with a knitted shawl. Lace, woven look, garter stitch - a variety of patterns and yarns are included to suit all skills, tastes and addicts of shawl knitting. There are several I want to knit right away. Clear instructions and great photography combine to make this best of knitter's magazine a best seller." KarenPlatt.co.uk

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Product Details

• Paperback: 106 pages
• Publisher: Xrx Books (January 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0964639165
• ISBN-13: 978-0964639164
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 9.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #205,335 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An eagerly-awaited book!!!, July 27, 1999

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This book contains patterns for shawls and scarves from previous issues of Knitter's magazine. With so many issues of Knitter's magazine out of print, and selling for fantastic prices (one issue sold for almost $50 on Ebay) this is a most welcome book. If you like shawls and knitting you will enjoy this book.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yes! Beauty, artistry, and challeging designs!, November 29, 2003

By	abt1950 "abt1950" (usa) - See all my reviews

This book is great! All these wonderful patterns from old issues of Knitters magazine have been reprinted together in a more durable format. My copies of the original magazines are dog-eared and not always easy to find, so this book has a definite place on my knitting bookshelf.

If you're new to knitting shawls, this book is a great introduction. The patterns represent a wide variety of traditional and more modern styles. As with most pieces from Knitters, the designs are sophisticated and often challenging. Techniques are well-explained and will give you the background needed to move beyond pre-fab patterns to design your own.

However, this doesn't mean that the book is only for expert knitters. I'm an intermediate knitter, but I made my first Faroese shawl from a pattern included here. It was a technical stretch at first, but not undoable. The result was one of the best, most wearable, and most satisfying pieces of knitting I've done. I'm now starting my second shawl.

This is not a book to buy if you want a mindless project in stockinette. But if you want something that will expand your knitting horizons and give you something to wear on chilly winter nights, then this book is a great choice.

(Oh--and did I mention that shawls tend to be forgiving if your gauge is a little off? That's always a plus in my book.)

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favorites, February 2, 2004

By	A. Reader (Boise, Idaho United States) - See all my reviews

I originally checked this book out from the local library and found that I would have to own my own copy. There are a few patterns that would be suitable for beginners, but I would definitely pay attention to the skill level rating on each pattern. My only complaint would be that the terms "laceweight" and "fingering" seem to have been used without discretion. While lace knitting is generally very forgiving in terms of gauge, it is frustrating to know that the "laceweight" yarn you purchased is not even close to the "laceweight" yarn that was used in the pattern. Patterns are included for round, triangular, faroese, shetland, and rectangular shawls. The patterns include both written instructions as well as charts to accommodate any preference. Color pictures are provided for each pattern, as well as each variation of pattern. Yarns range from mohair to cotton, and from sport weight to laceweight. A 4-page "Knitter's School" in the back of the book provides instructions for standard techniques, as well as some more advanced techniques specific to circular knitting.