Knitting Modular Shawls, Wraps, and Stoles: An Easy, Innovative Technique for Creating Custom Designs, with 185 Stitch Patterns

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. (Dec.)