Cover Image: Inspired Shawls

Inspired Shawls

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

What an interesting collection of shawls. Patterns are clear and easy to follow.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book, which I voluntarily chose to review.

Was this review helpful?

There are some absolutely gorgeous patterns in this book. Many of the shawls include interesting textures created by combining different weight yarns in the same pattern, use of cables, embroidery, and open lacework. The instructions appear to be well written and several of the patterns include charts as well. The photography is BEE-YOU-TIFUL! with many of the patterns including multiple photographs.

My only disappointment was the costs of the suggested yarns. For example, the Amazonia calls for $70 worth of yarn to create. Another pattern suggested a yarn that was $58 for a skein of 330 yards, and that pattern used 3 skeins of the yarn! And while I realize that these are items that can last for generations, especially if you use quality materials, and that you CAN substitute less expensive yarns, it was disheartening to realize that it was going to be so costly to reproduce the beauty on the pages.

So, is it worth the $20 (physical copy) or $10 (digital copy) price tag for Inspired Shawls? If you are willing to put in the time finding comparable yarns in beautiful colorways, or able to invest in some of the fabulous yarns suggested, then absolutely. The patterns are gorgeous.

Was this review helpful?

This is a beautiful book. They put a lot of work not just in the shawls but in the pictures that show off the works. The instructions are well laid out and easy to follow. My problem is with the patterns themselves. I never thought i would need to work about sizing on a shawl, but this book may have proved me wrong. So many of the works, while beautiful are short. They don’t have the long fall i expect from a shawl that. For example the mermaid style shawl. It’s beautiful, but I don’t thing based on the pattern I would ever be able to wrap it around myself. I may be wrong, but that is my impression. A beautiful book, but not one this knitter would buy.

Was this review helpful?

Lovely pictures, lovely ideas, very modern and inspirational

Was this review helpful?

This book offers a nice variety of shawls with clear instructions. Beautiful photos that will inspire you to get those needles flying!

Was this review helpful?

I found this book less interesting that I had hoped. I don’t like shawls with large open spaces or loose floats to snag and catch on things. The photos and the directions were excellent but there was nothing here I would actually make. Good effort but I was disappointed.

Was this review helpful?

My review of Inspired Shawls: 15 Creative Patterns for Year-Round Knitting by Laura Zukaite (also known as Liz's four rules for a knock-out knitting book.

1. Don't skimp on the pictures! Take them outside, for starters, and do it somewhere gorgeous and simple.

2. Feel with your eyes. Make sure the textures come to life. I want to feel gossamer laces between my fingers, caress the delightfully full and smooth touch of silk and the sturdy crunch of wool simply by looking.

3. Balance the pictures with a well composed layout. Keep it simple (my eyes aren't as young as they used to be.) Guide me with a grand font, keep me turning the pages, and reassure me nothing has been left out.

4. Make sure it's something I'd trash that wooden bowl thing on the coffee table for. If I'd leave it in the centre of the table for everyone who came through my door to see because I want them all to know about it, you've put together something special.

5. (I know, right!) Make me want to put confidence in my craft and pick up "real yarn" to realize everything the book has inspired in me.

I have to say, Inspired Shawls hits all the marks for me. The beach looks so much like the coast of Vancouver Island just north of my home! I've had as much fun browsing the pages as I have poking around the various yarn-makers websites (so I know where to by skeins from Art Yarns here in town.)

I'm very please with this book! Thank you to the publisher. I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This book offers patterns for a wide variety of knit shawls. (15!) The fun names like Ipanema and Cococabana are just the beginning. There are a variety of shapes and lengths, The directions are very easy to follow, although detailed. There are charts and diagrams to assist with the patterns as well. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to knitting up a few of these shawls for gift giving, and for myself. I received a copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Was this review helpful?

Could not pull up the images in this book. Not the fault of the author nor publisher, just a glitch. Disappointed, the patterns sounded really neat.

Was this review helpful?

A beautiful book full of exciting and new patterns that are not in the usual cookie-cutter mold. Bright colours and vibrant designs make for beautiful shawls, but not for the beginner or the faint of heart. If you're up for a challenge, you'll find it here.

Was this review helpful?

This is a easy to understand well illustrated book of knitting patterns. There is something for all levels of crafters. The book goes beyond the average and encourages knitters to explore bold colors and different yarns. Everyone should find at least one of the patterns they want to try. I personally want a hard copy of this book so you can make copies of the patterns and not sit with a tablet of book on your lap with the yarn. I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This collection of shawls has beautiful photos and a great layout. I really liked the variety of shawl shapes, stitch types, and color palettes used.

The patterns seem clear and concise, and some do include charts in addition to the written instructions.

I can see myself knitting and wearing a number of these shawls, and there are a few I would knit and gift to others as well.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

A good volume that would undoubtedly be of interest to some knitters. Unfortunately I didn’t find the designs inspirational.

Was this review helpful?

Very modern appealing patterns to make and wear. I especially liked the inclusion of embroidery on some patterns, and tassels on another. The instructions are clear and easy to follow, but might be a bit hard for new knitters. I would be almost afraid of wearing any shawl I made out to the beach for fear of getting it dirty, but they do seem to be beach ready based on the accompanying pictures.

Was this review helpful?

A variety of shawl patterns are included in this collection, including more open-knit, airy patterns, and heavier cold weather wear. A range of techniques are utilized, including the use of pom-poms, embroidery, unique edgings, and color work.

Was this review helpful?

This book has some lovely and easy patterns of 15 shawls to knit. From lacy to fair isle, all are lovely and the patterns are well written and the chart are easily followed. They are very different to the ones I have seen, many with a little twist, The last shawl in the book "Mayan Shawl" a kaleidoscope of colour and pattern, is my favourite and not difficult to knit.
Well presented, well photographed with clear instructions..

Was this review helpful?

Goodreads Rating: n/a–would be 4 stars.

Using beautiful handpainted yarns, Zukaite has created a variety of fun and practical shawls, inspired by a variety of locations, mainly in South America. It’s purely a pattern book (no tutorials or intros), but the patterns within provide something for knitters of all levels. This would be an excellent “growth” book for beginners as it provides simple, deceptively simple, and more advanced patterns to gradually work through or set as goals.

I thought the overall designs of all of the shawls lend themselves to multi-purpose uses–change a whimsical design to a subtle office shawl or a glitzy party shawl simply by choosing a different color palette.

The stitch patterns range from a mixture of wispy lace to fun geometric colorwork and intarsia to some simpler knit and purl textures. The shawl shapes range cover the standard rectangles and triangles, with a few half-circles as well as some shawls that are more in the realm of scarves/stoles. It’s a great collection of shawls for advanced beginners who want to apply their skills to a larger project and branch out to try different stitch patterns, as well as for advanced knitters who want something not too complex, but still unique in style or shape.

I appreciated the finer details in the written patterns: Most of the stitch patterns are both written out and charted, stitch counts are given at the end of rows that involve shaping, and detailed instructions on special stitches, embroidery, and embellishments are also included. A comprehensive pattern is always welcome to see! The only thing missing was instructions on blocking. Many of these have curved and/or garter borders, which can be tricky to block evenly; a brief section on recommended blocking practices for these types of edges would have been welcome.

I am definitely adding the Mayan (love the stitch sampler design and colorplay), Geo Aztec (that colorwork tho, I love) , Nazca, and Cartagena (both awesome juxtapositions of lace mohair and worsted silk) shawls to my queue.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy to review!

Was this review helpful?

INSPIRED SHAWLS is a collection of knitted shawl patterns that very in style and difficulty level. All fifteen patterns are beautiful. Each pattern comes with both written and charted instructions so that any knitter can follow as they are most comfortable.

Was this review helpful?

Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book. The pictures of the different shawls were very pretty and the directions and text of the book are easy to read and to follow. The various patterns offer something for every skill level and yarn choice. I have entered the giveaway on GR because I would love to own this book

Was this review helpful?

Beautiful pictures and easy to follow instructions for shawls in a variety of styles.

Was this review helpful?