Skip to main content

Member Reviews

As a newer knitter, this book looks easy to follow. It includes a lot of background information on yarn weights and required materials. Unfortunately, I just can't see myself wearing anything featured in this book. Definitely not my style, but for those who enjoy the look, I think you'll find the patterns easy to follow.

Was this review helpful?

I’d like to thank NetGalley and storey publishing for letting me read this arc for an honest review.

As an avid knitter having made many shawls cowls haps, jumper yokes and lots and lots of different techniques. This book is so beginner friendly with excellent tutorials visually and written for those who need either to learn.

Even pictures of the items you need different yarn weights and textures explained .


Each pattern has its own unique style , its own weight and different textures style and challenges.

I adored the great representation of all people as models sizes age gender and race . Knitting is got everyone and it was excellent to see different people wearing these amazing cowlettes,

I think even the small cowl could be used as a bandanna or a neckerchief for a dog.

I can’t wait to try a pattern ! I knit in sock weight so there are many in this book maybe moonstone ❤️

Was this review helpful?

Knitting Cowlettes - Safiyaah Talley

“When searching online for Cowlette patterns, you may find them under ‘Cowls’ or ‘Shawls,’ because it is a fairly new knitting term.”

With Beautiful, clear patterns and instructions on how to make Cowlettes, Safiyaah Tally’s book was a great read even for an intermediate knitter like myself. This is definitely one I would come back to again.
There are four patterns I would love to try at my level of experience then when I’ve learnt a few more techniques there will be more.

The design your own Cowlette section a great guide and for me personally, will be useful for many other projects too!

I highly recommend this book, thank you so much. 🧶💕

Was this review helpful?

This excellent book is full of inspiration for knitters of any level of experience and skill. The author states, "This book is designed as a guide to help you create your dream cowlette, with or without a pattern." She goes on to give knitters all the information they need to do just that. She starts with the basics, starting with choosing the right yarn and providing information about the qualities inherent in each type. She goes on to write about yarn weights, how to read the ball band, how to choose needles, swatching, blocking, and useful notions. Then she lays out the basics of cowlette construction, providing different methods to start (called setups), how to calculate the neck opening, edge stitches, shaping increases, types of increases and when to use them, cowlette depth, binding off, and tips for customizing cowlettes. Following this chapter, there are 23 cowlette patterns, ranging from very basic to more involved. There are small kerchief style cowlettes (even a baby size) and larger ones in both triangular and half pi shapes. Perhaps you want to design your own cowlette--Saffiyah Talley has you covered here as well, with useful tools for doing just that--helpful steps in the cowlette design process, a cowlette knitter's worksheet, and a cowlette shaping cheat sheet. If you are a newer knitter or need a refresher, there is a glossary of techniques with text instructions and clear drawings that will provide the information you need. There are the same for cast off and bind off methods. There's a list of abbreviations for the knitting terms used, and a list of cowlette patterns by shape.

I love this book. I've been knitting for over 40 years and have taught individuals and classes. I would not hesitate to recommend this book to students who have basic knitting knowledge. With the excellent instructions here, even beginners can create a beautiful cowlette to wear or gift. This is a fabulous book. I plan to cast on a cowlette tonight myself.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author/designer for a DRC.

Was this review helpful?

This book is a beautiful guide to creating gorgeous hand knit cowlettes, and would be a welcome addition to the book collection of any knitter, newbie or experienced.

The photos inside are gorgeous,, with beautiful detail. At the start of the book you are guided through everything you will need to pick the perfect needles, yarn and notions you will need to create your cowlette, as well as all you need to know before you start knitting, from swatches to blocking. It then goes into detail on everything you need to know about cowlettes themselves. There are a series of lovely patterns for you to choose from, or even make one or more of each. They have different looks and are perfect for all skill sets. There is also a very handy Cowlette Knitters Worksheet near the end of the book, which is very useful.

This book is a beautiful guide, and would be welcome in the hands of any knitter.

Was this review helpful?

What a great book! The patterns are straightforward, with choices to adapt. The pictures are so inclusive of all types of people. There is even a section on how to make your own Cowlette.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

Was this review helpful?