Although the 20 shawls in Classic Knit Shawls are based on classic shawls, this book is filled with creative expressions in shawls that are modern and fit right into the current shawl focus in knitting. I would recommend Classic Knit Shawls to any knitter looking for a selection of beautiful shawls and who is interested in a variety of shawl structures.
Classic Shawls of Most Varieties
There are simple shawls, complicated shawls, shawls that look simple but have ingenious construction details. There are color-work designs, and stripes, and lace of most varieties. The majority of these classic shawls are very wearable and offer a variety of silhouettes creating casual and dressy options.
The 20 projects in Classic Knit Shawls deserve a little review of techniques and construction before picking your projects. Not only do you have the option of beautiful designs, but there are construction options to expand your shawl game. Of course there are beautiful stitch patterns, all worked up in beautiful yarns.
Techniques Within Classic Shawls
- A variety of short row methods and applications
- increase and decrease shaping
- interesting edgings, borders, trims
- lace knitting of every type (but not knitted lace)
- nupps, cables, beads, knitted fringe
- top down, bottom up, side to side, modular, counterpane
- a variety of methods of working and adding edgings, trims and borders
| Shapes of Classic Shawls | Classic Shawls Yarn Weights |
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Classic Shawls Yarns Used
- Anzula Squishy (80% superwash merino wool, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon)
- Berroco Pure Pima (100% pima cotton)
- Blue Sky Alpaca Melange (100% baby alpaca)
- Dream in Color Perfectly Posh Sport (70% merino, 10% cashmere, 10% silk)
- Elemental Affects Shetland Rustic Lace (100% North American Shetland wool)
- The Fiber Company Road to China (65% baby alpaca, 15% silk, 10% camel, 10% cashmere)
- Freia Fine Handpaint Yarns Fingering Ombre (75% wool, 25% nylon)
- Hazel Knits Divine (75% superwash merino wool) 15% cashmere)
- Hikoo Kenzie from Skacel (50% New Zealand merino, 10% angora, 10% alpaca, 5% silk noils)
- Jade Sapphire Silk Cashmere 2-ply (55% silk, 45% Mongolian cashmere)
- Lara’s Creations Majestic Entree ColourWave (50% silk, 50% merino)
- Loôband Einband (100% Icelandic wool)
- Madelinetosh Tosh DK (100% merino)
- Plymouth Worsted Merino Superwash (100% merino)
- Shibui Knits Silk Cloud (60% kid mohair, 40% silk)
- Shibui Knits Staccato (65% superwash merino, 30% silk, 5% nylon)
- Spud & Chloe Sweater (55% superwash wool, 45% organic cotton)
- Sundara Yarn Silk Lace (100% silk)
- Sweet Georgia Yarns Tough Love Sock (80% superwash merino, 20% nylon)
- Vijay Fibers Serenade (100% silk)
Negatives of Classic Knit Shawls
This is a pretty short list, but I always feel I need to mention things.
- The charts get really small. It might have been nice to cut them into segments to allow a minimum size.
- There are a few schematics. On many of the shawls a schematic showing the direction of knitting/construction (a roadmap) could make it easier to see how each shawl is constructed.
- Styling is always interesting.
- The Sources for Yarn page is a mess.
Positives of Classic Knit Shawls
The first things I noticed beyond the designs and photography (beautiful model selection).
- Introductory Text
- Information with each pattern is easy to access
- Abbreviations
- Nicely illustrated glossary
I think almost any knitter could find more than one of these classic shawls they were interested in knitting. I would recommend Classic Knit Shawls for the access to so many shawl points of view and the opportunities for learning techniques to use elsewhere in your knitting. It doesn’t matter whether you continue to be a shawl knitter, I think there are lots of things in here that are transferrable to other projects.
If I were so inclined (if I were a yarn shop, a knitting guild or group, for instance) I would use this book to have a year- or 18-month long exploration of shawls. There is much to gain from working different shawls, or having someone else report the process to you. The variety of shapes, weights of yarn, stitch patterns, and construction methods deserve a deeper look after you enjoy looking at 20 intriguing shawl patterns.
Classic Knit Shawls Information
Classic Knit Shawls is available in both hard cover and e-book formats. Get all the information on Ravelry, where you can see photos and other information, and there are links to platforms to purchase it from.
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