Fall is now officially here. Just a few days ago I felt the first bite of autumn wind and made the difficult decision to abandon my sandals for socks and boots. I’m always sad to see summer go, but the abundance of cozy crochet projects makes the arrival of fall much easier.
Last month I jumped at the chance to review Lisa Cook’s new book, Delicious Crochet Shawls. And the timing couldn’t be better! Flipping through the pages of this gorgeous book provides lots of inspiration for hooking up beautiful shawls to help keep the cold at bay.
the details
Delicious Crochet Shawls contains patterns for 21 unique crochet shawls. Many of the shawls are triangular or rectangular. But there are other unusual shapes too, including trapezoidal and diamond. Each shawl is delightfully named, conjuring up images of yummy desserts.
All of the patterns include clear written directions and charts that help with visualizing the stitch patterns. For trickier shawl shapes, there are illustrated graphics that indicate shaping and layout. I was especially taken with the beautiful photos in the book. All of the shawls are modeled showing multiple styles of wearing the same piece. The possibilities seem endless.
In addition to the gorgeous shawl patterns, there is a brief guide at the back of the book that covers basic stitches and techniques. Instructions for making tassels and fringe, with accompanying photos, are also included.
The Shawls
It’s hard to choose favorites from so many beautiful crochet shawls. I pored over the book before deciding which pattern to experiment with. Some that especially stood out to me include the Seaside Sundae, Rhubarb Crumble, and Peaches & Cream. I love all kinds of shawls, but I’m always drawn to join as you go motifs, which the Seaside Sundae features.
Even though I only had time to hook up a small sample, I was impressed with the clarity and thoroughness of the written directions. Join as you go instructions aren’t always easy to follow, but these were clear and concise.
crochet all the shawls!
If you’re a northern hemisphere dweller like I am, and are prepping for the cooler temps and shorter days, Delicious Crochet Shawls makes an excellent companion. The variety and beauty of the patterns is hard to beat.
