Scarves, Shrugs and Shawls – A Book Review (Knitting)

Since I’m neither an accomplished nor an avid knitter, I asked my friend, Mandy Pedigo, to write this review for me. Mandy is a very accomplished fiber atrist, completing her degree in fiber arts. She loves anything to do with yarn, knitting, crocheting, weaving, etc. I admire her work a great deal. You can take a look at Mandy’s work at her website The Cloistered Lamb. Here’s her review:

Scarves, Shrugs and Shawls

A review by Mandy Pedigo

The first thing I noticed when JD handed this book to me was the beautiful photography! The twenty-two patterns by designer Sarah Hatton are beautifully styled and the models don’t distract from the garments.

The book starts out by highlighting the different designs in an overview picture and a close up shot. The colors are beautiful and the stitch definition is captured, all to tempt a knitter to cast on the project right away. Full pattern details are found in the back along with another photo of the garment. Charts are nicely sized, though some knitters may want to enlarge them a bit more. I love the layout – I can find out what I need to know about the pattern at a glance.

This book has a lot to offer and has patterns for lace, beads and colorwork. Technique tutorials are included and again the photography is helpful and clear. My favorite section of this book is the how to wear section. Models show different ideas for how to wear scarves and shawls through wrapping, knotting or accessorizing with shawl pins or belts. What a great idea!

It is worth a mention that all the designs are worked up in Rowan yarns, a fact that is mentioned on the back cover. Appropriate substitutions can be made if Rowan isn’t available in your area or to your liking. Definitely give it a look through.

Book Specs

Scarves, Shrugs and Shawls

St. Martin’s Griffin Press, 2013

8×10 inch soft cover with color photographs – 136 pages

ISBN 9781250024947

$24.99 USD

This Free Shock Wave Crochet Lap Blanket Pattern from Mary Maxim looks like one of those wonderfully satisfying projects that gives big cozy payoff without fiddly detail. Mary Maxim lists it as a free download, designed as a crochet afghan/lap blanket, with a finished size of 45 x 50 inches.

What immediately stands out is the yarn choice. The pattern is made with Bernat Blanket Extra Thick, using 5 skeins, and calls for a U.S. U/50 (25 mm) crochet hook. That is gloriously chunky territory, which usually means fast progress and lots of squishy texture. If you are in the mood for a project that feels substantial in your hands and grows quickly row by row, this one definitely has that appeal.

Mary Maxim describes the blanket as having a beautifully textured, plush, soft finish and suggests it as a project for home décor or gifting. Based on the materials and oversized hook alone, that sounds about right. This feels like the sort of blanket you make for curling up on the couch, draping over a chair, or giving as a practical handmade gift that will actually get used instead of folded away “for best.”

The pattern is marked Easy, and the listed stitch requirements are straightforward: chain, repeat, double crochet, single crochet, and slip stitch. That makes it sound approachable for confident beginners and very appealing for anyone who wants a relaxing crochet project without too much counting drama.

I also think the lap blanket size is a smart one. Not every crochet blanket needs to become a giant commitment that takes over the lounge room and your will to live. A 45 x 50 inch blanket is a useful, manageable size for gifting, for wheelchairs or reading nooks, or just for keeping on hand for chilly evenings. That practicality gives this pattern extra appeal. The usability point is my own take based on the finished dimensions Mary Maxim provides.

At the moment, the pattern page shows no reviews, so there is not much customer feedback to go on yet. Still, if you enjoy easy crochet blanket patterns, super chunky crochet throws, or quick lap blanket projects, this one looks like a solid freebie to save.

My overall take? This looks like a fast, cozy, beginner-friendly crochet blanket pattern with plenty of texture and instant-gratification energy. Very much the sort of project you start because it looks easy, then keep going because the yarn feels ridiculously soft.

Have you read?