Review of Knit Shawls and Wraps in 1 Week
With the advent of autumn, our clothing choices changes from cool and carefree to warm and cozy – or at least to give the appearance of such. Whether you live in a climate that requires warm clothing in October or not, you’ll appreciate the patterns in Marie Greene’s new book Knit Shawls & Wraps in 1 Week. As the subtitle states, this book is a collection of thirty patterns that can be finished relatively rapidly. After perusing the choices, I’m wasn’t sure about the “one week” claim, but I was impressed enough with the patterns to buy the book.
Greene organizes her book seasonally, which is a wonderful way to think about clothing. Each section includes choices of wraps or shawls, some of which veer into the poncho realm. In addition, the final chapter, entitled “Multi-Season Cowls,” offers five patterns intended to span the seasons.
For the most part, the patterns are straightforward, requiring advanced beginner knowledge. Shaping is kept to a minimum, and stitch patters are generally simple enough to be understood without the need for charts. All of the patterns appear classic in design, potentially appealing to a wide audience. Greene gives information about the yarn used in creating the garments featured in the photographs and takes the time to remind the reader that substitutions may change the look of the wrap. In the spirit of allowing knitters choice, she also gives enough information that swapping out yarns is relatively simple.
What I did not like about the book: the paucity of charts. Whether or not they are necessary, I like to use them to visualize the stitches and it annoyed me to not have them for every single pattern. This dislike is of course tempered by the fact that charts aren’t needed – between the directions and the photographs, it’s easy enough to understand what to do.
What I liked about the book: the plethora of other visual information. Multiple photographs per pattern mean that one can imagine both the finished look and how to wear it. Schematics for each design give information on sizing. The wording is extensive enough that readers don’t need to look up many abbreviations, and instructions are given almost row by row. For this reason, this is an excellent collection of patters for both advanced beginners and seasoned knitters who want a pattern that lets them cruise along.
The simplicity of these designs is another plus, at least for this classic dresser. Because these are not fitted garments, it’s easy enough to convert the patterns to thicker or thinner yarn (which would obviously impact the time taken to finish) and to alter them so as to personalize. At the same time, each pattern is different in terms of stitch pattern and finished look; these are not yarn variations on a template.
Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with the designer or publisher. I purchased this tome with my own funds.
Greene, Marie. Knit Shawls & Wraps in 1 Week: 30 Quick Patterns to Keep You Cozy in Style. Page Street Publishing, Salem, MA 2019. ISBN: 978-1-62414-861-3
Greene organizes her book seasonally, which is a wonderful way to think about clothing. Each section includes choices of wraps or shawls, some of which veer into the poncho realm. In addition, the final chapter, entitled “Multi-Season Cowls,” offers five patterns intended to span the seasons.
For the most part, the patterns are straightforward, requiring advanced beginner knowledge. Shaping is kept to a minimum, and stitch patters are generally simple enough to be understood without the need for charts. All of the patterns appear classic in design, potentially appealing to a wide audience. Greene gives information about the yarn used in creating the garments featured in the photographs and takes the time to remind the reader that substitutions may change the look of the wrap. In the spirit of allowing knitters choice, she also gives enough information that swapping out yarns is relatively simple.
What I did not like about the book: the paucity of charts. Whether or not they are necessary, I like to use them to visualize the stitches and it annoyed me to not have them for every single pattern. This dislike is of course tempered by the fact that charts aren’t needed – between the directions and the photographs, it’s easy enough to understand what to do.
What I liked about the book: the plethora of other visual information. Multiple photographs per pattern mean that one can imagine both the finished look and how to wear it. Schematics for each design give information on sizing. The wording is extensive enough that readers don’t need to look up many abbreviations, and instructions are given almost row by row. For this reason, this is an excellent collection of patters for both advanced beginners and seasoned knitters who want a pattern that lets them cruise along.
The simplicity of these designs is another plus, at least for this classic dresser. Because these are not fitted garments, it’s easy enough to convert the patterns to thicker or thinner yarn (which would obviously impact the time taken to finish) and to alter them so as to personalize. At the same time, each pattern is different in terms of stitch pattern and finished look; these are not yarn variations on a template.
Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with the designer or publisher. I purchased this tome with my own funds.
Greene, Marie. Knit Shawls & Wraps in 1 Week: 30 Quick Patterns to Keep You Cozy in Style. Page Street Publishing, Salem, MA 2019. ISBN: 978-1-62414-861-3
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