Monica Knits

In the book "Knitting New Scarves - 27 Distinctly Modern Designs", Lynne Barr experiments with both color and texture and includes examples that combine reversible knitting with other stitches. The two swatches shown are adaptations of Easy Wave and New Wave, but there are many others, including additional whimsical and fun to stitch scarves. Read more ... for the rest of the book review and a discussion of these swatches.

Not only does Lynne provide clear, concise pattern instructions, but she also discusses the design inspirations for these scarves. Her combination of color and texture results in a signature style that is sculptural and wearable. Greys and autumn colors predominate.

The scarf photos by Tyllie Barbosa are wonderfully staged and enhance the book. Additional well placed photographs augument or clarify pattern instructions.

Swatch Information
In the photo above, the image on the left is the easy wave and the image on the right, the new wave. I tried both since they were related patterns. I left the yarn tails on the easy wave swatch and did a rough bind off in 1 x 1 ribbing, since I was more interested in the wave pattern. The author suggested binding off in "tight" 1 x 1 ribbing, but a Kitchener bind off would better suit this scarf. In the sample on the right I did a Kitchener bind off, but also followed the author's recommendation to decrease the number of stitches in the row prior to the bind off.

These 3/4 width samples were used to test the instructions. The sample on the left was knitted with two dpns (per pattern instructions); the sample on the right was knitted with two circular needles (a 4.5 mm and 6.0 mm), instead of the 5 dpns (three 4.5 mm and two 6.0 mm) suggested. The two circular needles reduce knitting complexity, speed the knitting and improve control over the edge stitch tension. As an added benefit, with two circular needles, the project is eminently portable, so you could make waves at the beach.

Summary This book puts a new twist on scarves and reversible knitting, and includes some fun examples of wearable art. The instructions that I tested were clear and concise and the book contains patterns ranging from simple to experienced. The nice thing about these scarves is that you can try new techniques with a minimal investment of time and materials and you can stitch up some unique gifts.

Related Posts
Reversible Knitting - Topology (sister article which discusses the "Twisted" scarf)
Reversible Knitting - Topology 2 (article which discusses the "Linked Rib" scarf, of which the image above is a sample.)

Book Information
Lynne Barr, Knitting New Scarves, 27 Distinctly Modern Designs, Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 115 West 18th St. NY, NY 10011, 2007. www.hnabooks.com