Book Review – Sweet Shawlettes by Jean Moss
Sweet Shawlettes, 25 Irresistible Patterns for Knitting Cowls, Capelets, and More, is a recently published book of beautiful and fashionable knitting patterns by designer Jean Moss. If you want something special beyond the usual shawls and cowls, this book is for you. Author Jean Moss is a designer, knitting teacher and writer who lives in York, England, where she has created her own collections of hand knits for the past 25 years, in both Europe and North America.
The book is divided into four sections, Country, Couture, Folk and Vintage with half a dozen beautifully photographed patterns in each part. The patterns themselves are an assortment of yarn neck pieces, capelets, cowls and collars, all using fairly small amounts of yarn. As Moss says in her introduction, if you’re a fiber lover who can’t resist buying a skein or two of luxury yarns, but then you wonders what you can make with this small amount, you’ll love these patterns, which are the perfect way to show off that specialty yarn. They are also good for using up your stash as well, and since many of the patterns are quick to knit up, they would make much appreciated gifts.
A great many stitches are explored in Sweet Shawlettes, including Fair Isles, cables, lace, applique and more. As for the yarns used, the author states she tried those which were were easily accessible to any knitter, both online and in stores. Some patterns work better with cottons and linens and some with more luxurious yarns and Moss gives her recommendations for each pattern.
These fashion statement knitting patterns lend themselves to embellishment with buttons or antique jewelry so you can use your creativity with the closures and decorations.
There is a nice mixture of easy patterns, if you’re fairly new to knitting, but many are for the intermediate or experienced knitter. In fact, the index lists only four easy patterns of the 25. The Enigma Shawl in the Couture section is marked easy and is a frothy beauty made with stockinette stitch. The Harlequin Cape, which is pictured on the cover, is intermediate. The patterns in the Folk section, such as the lovely Arabesque Shawl could easily become an heirloom in your own family.
My favorite section was the Vintage patterns, where the author features pieces from the Tudors up through Hollywood style fashion icons of the 1950′s. Want to feel like Grace Kelly? The delicate Grace Cowl is, of course, named after the classically beautiful actress and you could easily imagine her wearing it. The Bronte Fichu was inspired by the Emily Bronte novel, Wuthering Heights, and received several mentions in the book. This shawl for the experienced knitter features an exquisitely lacy look.
The easy pattern in the Vintage section was the Vamp boa, made with the stockinette stitch and mohair yarn.
The appendix to Sweet Shawlettes features techniques, such as how to add beads and how to read a chart, and knitting stitches. There is also information on all the yarns used in the book.
Sweet Shawlettes by Jean Moss just recently was published this January, 2012 and would make a unique addition to your knitting library. I would recommend it for either intermediate or advanced knitters. Beginners will drool over and be inspired by the lovely patterns but might get frustrated at not being able to actually make them. Sweet Shawlettes is available on Amazon.com and other book outlets.
Sweet Shawlettes: 25 Irresistible Patterns for Knitting Cowls, Capelets, and More
My thanks to Taunton Press for providing a copy of Sweet Shawlettes for Review.
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