Nancy J. Thomas (1)

If buying for the patterns, they're good (but only if you're knitting for a woman), and despite the clever names, they have no relationship to traditional tweed-producing regions. For example, the "Kilt Knitting Bag" is simply a striped bag - nothing kilt-like about it, except her assertion "The shades of green, grey, purple, and orange tweed reminded me of Ireland and Scotland." It could have as easily be called the "Wine region knitting bag" or the "Pistachio Ice Cream bag." Some designs show more do include cables, yet another is based on a kilim motif.

The introductory chapters, however, are truly horrible. Mostly they discuss tweed fabric, which bears little relationship to tweed yarns (despite her assertion). The defining characteristic of what is today called tweed yarn, the addition of nips of colors, is barely mentioned. The information on wool, spinning terminology, etc. are often misleading, and sometimes quite wrong. In her Introduction, Thomas says "Chapter 2 explores the process of making tweed yarns. I consider this the most important chapter in the book; it is your yarn tutorial." But that is the is the worst chapter. If you want to understand yarn, consult another work. If you want to know how the modern novelty yarns became termed 'tweeds' keep looking. If you merely want to see some interesting designs utilizing these yarns, then the book may be of interest. show less

Shawl and scarf patterns originally published in "Knitters Magazine" (volumes 2 through 50) are brought together in this volume. Patterns range in difficulty from intermediate to skilled. The main categories are: (1) Shetland shawls; (2) Faroese shawls; (3) Circular shawls; (4) Triangular shawls; and (5) Rectangular shawls.

The book has many lovely color photographs. Most shawls are shown in more than one photo. I find that very helpful; by showing various angles of a shawl, you get a better show more idea of how it really looks. There are written and charted instructions for shawl creation. Like all "Knitter's Magazine" books, this is a well written and presented work. show less

Clear charted instructions to make a beautiful knitted afghan.

full of inspiring patterns that make you itch to start knitting.

Lace Shawl; Shetland shawl in the british tradition; stonington shawl; snowdrops & snowflakes shawl; cristening crysalis; shetland shawl; faroese shawl; faroese style lace; blue faroese shawl, white faroese shawl; more than circular shawl; lace garland shawl; the pi shawl; dayflower daydream shawl; silk swirl shawl/tablecoth; mananita magic; garter and lace shawl; nature scene shawl; lotus blossom lace shawl; theatrical lace show more stole; lace dream stole; symmetry lace stole; blue wrap; featherweight fantasy stole; the graceful shawl; knitting bee shawl; woven arrowheads scarf/table runner; amazing twining lace scarf, mittens and cap; babushkas show less