Knitting Modular Shawls, Wraps, and Stoles

October 15, 2018
In this delightful book, knit and crochet designer Leapman (On the Go Baby Blankets: Crochet) offers creative suggestions possibilities for staying warm with shawls, wraps, and stoles. Her premise centers on the creative use of triangular wedges that are configured geometrically, vertically or horizontally, with any number of knitting patterns and border options. The technique is called “modular knitting” because it starts from the simple wedge and then builds from there, applying any number of trimmings and borders. The many detailed patterns denote not only the look and design of the wedge but each stitch in every row, resulting in almost endless pattern combinations. Modular knitting, Leapman shows, has qualities prized by every knitter, namely beauty, utility, and economy: beauty in the innumerable patterns that can configured wedge-by-wedge; utility in the practicality of an easy over-the-shoulder throw; and economy in that the supplies and materials required can accommodate a modest budget. The stitching patterns are precise and, in places, complex enough that those who aren’t already experienced knitters will be lost. But those who are will be invigorated.

Starred review from December 1, 2018
Leapman (Melissa Leapman's Designer Crochet Accessories, 2016) knows her audience well. Catering to those stitchers who prefer some latitude and infinite creativity in their projects, she's designed a pick-one, knit-three method for creating wraps of all sorts and sizes. It begins with the enumeration of her seven-step process, amply illustrated and described. More than 200 stitch patterns follow, divided by multiples (i.e., from 8 to 16 stitches) and horizontal and vertical insertions. Mini-sidebars address some of the more complex matters knitters might ask about, such as a lifeline and new, improved SSK (slip-slip-knit) decreases. As always, Leapman simplifies and streamlines the answers. One disappointment for those who do rely on designers to supply imagination: only two of the 20 samples include true how-to directions. The rest feature just the recipe; that is, a list of pattern names, needle sizes, and suggested yarns. A glossary of knitting techniques, instruction for reading knitting charts, and a list of symbols and abbreviations augment. Geared to well-practiced, adventurous knitters.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)