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Book: Shaping Shawls
Author: Anna Dalvi
List Price
Hardcopy:$26.95
Electronic File:$16.95
Shaping Shawls provides the logistics of shawl shaping without being overwhelming. Anna Dalvi explains how to analyze lace patterns and shape 10 styles of shawl: 2 styles of rectangular shawls, 2 styles of square shawls, and 6 types of triangular shawl. Each construction style has a written description of it’s shaping method, a diagram showing the placement of increases or decreases, and a charted pattern for a shawl using that shaping. Dalvi discusses how the shawl shaping affects the lace patterning when worn as well as her preferred methods for casting on and binding off when working shawls. I do wish that the book had included a section on circular or half-circle shawl shaping, but even without it I think this book is a great resource.
The book starts with the simpler constructions and then proceeds to show how to add to and manipulate the canvas space, or space of the shawl available for lace patterning. I think that “canvas space” is a very appropriate term, as Dalvi has taken the art of knit shawl shaping and made it accessible to those wanting to take the plunge into creating their own shawl designs.
Besides being an informative resource, Shaping Shawls is a lovely book. The pictures are stunning, and I wish some of them were available as poster size prints. Shaping shawls is available as a traditional book as well as in pdf and e-book formats. If you purchase it from the Cooperative Press website, you can get the digital pdf and print copies together for the price of just the print copy.
*There is errata available for the Magic Lanterns pattern here. One error for one column in one pattern. Most magazines aren’t that good.
GIVEAWAY: The folks at Cooperative Press have provided me with a print copy for a giveaway. To enter, leave a comment here with why you love knitting shawls before Midnight EST on Sunday, September 4th. I’ll randomly choose a winner. Good luck!
~Update Mon., Sept. 5th~ Since I didn’t specify, I did leave the contest open internationally. The random number generator chose Amy as the winner! Congrats, Amy!
Hi, I’m a new knitter and have done a couple shawls. I love accessories especially shawls; you can never have too many. And they make for great gifts for any time of the year.
I actually haven’t knit a shawl yet, but I’d love to because they’re endlessly variable and a great way to show off lace.
I’ve knitted one shawl, and the way it grew from a few stitches at the beginning to the huge beautiful object really made me love it! (And feel accomplished on those very first rows 😉 ) Would love to win a copy!
I have wanted to knit a shawl but not sure where to start so I really think this book would be fabulous for me – thank you for the opportunity.
Looks like a wonderful book! We have quiet a few shawls going in our guild right now and I would love to share this book with the girls!
Congrats on the book!
Nancy
I love making shawls, because the result is so rewarding!
I’m really into lace and wraps/shawls. It’s wonderful to watch the project grow into a beautiful accessory.
they are great any time of the year, and I love being able to splurge on that one skein of special yarn!
I love knitting shawls because they’re interesting! There’s nothing better than finding that one precious skein of yarn and creating a beautiful lace shawl for it. It’s the stuff heirlooms are made of!
nice! the thing i like about shawls is that they always look far more complicated then they actually are and i always learn something new from each one
I love shawls because they can be simple or elegant and they are a great way to use sock yarn!
I love making shawls!!!! The book looks great!
I hope this is open internationally. Shawls are wonderful because it doesn’t matter what your bust size is, you still get to use the same amount of yarn as a skinny person!
Shawls are a great use of sock yarn – but they drive me crazy too – every row gets longer!
I just love to wear shawls. I wold rather wear a shawl than a jacket. So much less constricting. Also easier to knit than a sweater. One of my favorite things to knit.
I love knitting shawls because there are so many beautiful fingering weight yarns to choose from.
I love knitting shawls because it shows off the yarn so well – and you see them more than socks 🙂
I wear a lot of shawls (so much more fashionable than a simple cardi!) and knitting them is not only an artistic achievement but lets me glow a little with some extra-earned pride!
I love to knit shawls. I love the challemge of knitting lace patterns. You can never knit too many. I wear them all the time and love giving them as gifts.
I love knitting shawls because they are perfect, light coverups for my climate.
I’ve only knit one shawl so far…but have a bunch queued up! I love the simple elegance of a shawl. It’s a classic piece.
I’m a new knitter but my favorite knits have been shawls. It is amazing how simple an intricate looking shawl can be to make. They have been the pieces that have given me the most satisfaction. Thanks for te opportunity to win.
They are just so pretty! And good value in terms of knitting time too, you can get hours of knitting happiness from a single £12 or so skein
Knitting is so calming and relaxing, even more when I discovered knitting lace this spring. Urdr is my favourite design, but I think I’ll practice a little bit more before putting that on the needles,
Thank you for all beautiful designs you make!
I love knitting shawls because it’s such an incredibly practical thing to knit and there’s so much variety!
What I like about shawls is that it feels like a big hug around your shoulders.
I would love a copy.
I love shawls because they are elegant and classic
I’m a long time crocheter who has only begun knitting again in the last year. I would love to have a copy of this book to work from. Thanks for hosting the giveaway.
Love shawls! Im crazy about them! Have already small collection of them, but still feel like “dont have what to wear”.
I learned how to knit shawls because of Anna Dalvi at KnitandKnag, fell in love with her patterns on Ravelry and now am completely hooked. She is an inspiration to learn and do lace/shawl knitting.
She is a fabulous designer.