I love all knitting resources that focus on templates that can be customized rather than patterns without much rhyme or reason to why they work. The Knitters Handy Book... series by Ann Budd are some of my favorites for their clarity matched with level of detail. This mixes a template book like that with a stitch pattern guide with a focus on triangle-foundation shawls (vs round, square, etc.)

It felt like there should've been more attention paid to gauge and ensuring that gauges between stitch patterns matched up the same way stitch counts did (or if there isn't a need to worry about gauge, then why that's the case). It feels instinctively wrong to assume that any four-stitch repeat can be paired with any other multiple of four stitch repeat and have everything gauge out properly for drape, but maybe it does ... 


I think the book would benefit from taking the reader all the way through a very simple shawl at the beginning before the stitch pattern section, and maybe also through a more complicated one. Short descriptions accompanying the photos that are presented within the stitch pattern section to more clearly articulate why they're being included where they are could also help.

Within the blueprints, rather than just referring to the specific yarn, would be more useful if it referred to the yarn weight.  More treatment of how to choose a yarn for a shawl could also be helpful -- the different qualities of single vs multi ply, different fibers that yarn can come in and how it'll affect the finished shawl... 

It was weird to me that only magic loop and cable cast on were included without provisional and long tail. Even though provisional is covered earlier, putting it here may make it easier for readers to refer to it. I'd be more likely to look here than early in the book. More instructions on how to sew pieces together would also be worthwhile -- the technique can be very different depending on what kinds of edges are being sewed together.

Thanks to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for the free review copy.

The most comphrensive lace shawl patterns I’ve ever seen., both charted and written. Very clear pictures of each. Super concise instructions even for a novice. 300+ Pages packed with information with not a space wasted. I’ve looked at a lot of lace stitches and there’s quite a few that I’ve never seen before. So if you’re into shawls you’ll need to pick this up. Even if you’re not the lace patterns are valuable for making scarves, cowls, sweaters and even blankets.

This book has an interesting perspective on knitting shawls.  It is based on creating triangular modules, then sewing them together to make various shapes of shawls and wraps.  It is a good concept, especially for beginners.  The process is broken down into steps, first choosing the shape of wrap you want, then choosing a stitch pattern (can be either very simple or combination of many stitch types).   Then one can add different types of edging and borders, as well as casting on and binding off methods.  The number of combinations seems infinite!
Different combinations are illustrated with a diagram, written instructions and a photograph of what the module will look like.   Then, there are photos of 20 sample shawls made using these methods. 

Resources and diagrams are clear and easy to follow. The only suggestion I'd make would be to knit the sample stitch patterns (for the photos of the module) in a darker color yarn, to provide more contrast from the background when viewing.   At over 300 pages, this book would be a great resource for any knitter.   I was left with the confidence that even I (a low intermediate knitter) could make some of these beautiful shawls.

Thank you Storey Publishing for the free review copy.

Shawl knitters who want to take their craft to the next level will love this book. The shawl recipes rather than a rigid pattern allows readers to create their own designs. The idea of customization is what makes this book different. It would be a great resource for knitters and designers alike.

While I’m not a knitter myself, I have many friends and family who are. This would make for an ideal Christmas present for avid knitters; from the beginner to the expert.
The instructions are clear and include pictures to illustrate patterns and shawls. So simple are the instructions; I think I could even give it a go.

I'm do hooked to knitting lately but I have problems in figuring out how to knit be shawls and wraps. This book is easy to follow even for a beginner like myself!