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25 Irresistible Patterns for Knitting Cowls,
Capelets, and More
Jeanne Moss
Taunton Press
January 3, 2012 / 978-1600854002
How-to: Knitting
Amazon
Reviewed
by Beth E. McKenzie
I picked up
this book because I was curious. A shawlette should be a small shawl,
right? That's what the sumptuous entrelac Harlequin Cape on the
cover leads us to believe. But the title says "…Cowls,
Capelets and More". The "More" kept poking at me.
What "More"? It turns out that a shawlette is any comfortable
little thing you wrap around your neck; the ultimate in luxury goods,
a piece with no real purpose except to be pretty and make you feel
special.
The book itself reflects this in the photography and pattern layout.
The colors, the backgrounds, and the poses are all just pretty.
While I won't make most of the bulky or tiny patterns in the book,
the ones I do make will be a source of pleasure for me and I hope
for the friends that receive them. I plan to make colorful variations
of the Treasure Jabot and the Arabesque Scarf for friends for Christmas
and eventually will make the Madame Alfred Shawlette and Vintage
Mantilla for me!
I usually try patterns before I review a book like this, but as
I have not done so in this case, I can't speak to their accuracy.
Most of the patterns appear to run to medium effort, with a few
for only experienced and patient knitters. Many of the patterns
are open to new interpretations. For example the Evergreen Scarf
is a thin band of green ending in a spray of multicolored leaves.
You could incorporate seasonal colors and create additional scarves
for the spring, fall and winter. You could change the base color
to pink and attach a variety of red and white hearts, or a blue
band with gold and silver stars, or yellow with a variety of fresh
fruits, or puppies and kitties for your favorite shelter manager.
Where ever your imagination leads you!
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