Book Review

Sock-Yarn Shawls: 15 Lacy Knitted Shawl Patterns by Jen Lucas

A

Genre: Nonfiction

My name is Elyse and I am a yarn-aholic. I own enough yarn that I suspect I have enough to keep me knitting for several years — or forever if I’m including the cheap acrylic stuff I use for charity knitting. Even though I promise to be good, when my paycheck hits my bank account I find myself drawn to the pushers–the little yarn store, the online shops. My husband narrows his eyes as I hustle my purchases inside (he has found Steam, however, and now sympathizes with the “It was on sale!” impulse buy).

Awhile ago I decided I wanted to knit socks and rather than do the reasonable thing and buy a few skeins of yarn to see if I liked doing it or not, I bought ALL THE PRETTY SOCK YARN. Sock yarn is so, so pretty. It’s delicate and usually self-striping or variegated. It comes in so many bright colors. I am drawn to bright colors. I love books with giant colorful Regency skirts on them. I buy things based entirely on color.

If you wanted to bait an Elyse trap, you’d put some Noro Silk Garden under a box with a stick holding it up. I’d be all “SHINY!” because I become stupid around brightly colored pretty things.

Anyway, turns out I hated knitting socks. I hate using double-pointed needles or two circulars at once. I feel like I don’t have the manual dexterity to keep track of everything. Even when I knit hats I use one teeny circular until the very end. And once you knit one sock, you need to the knit it’s partner or it dies a sad, lonely one-sock death. Socks mate for life. Denied their woolly companion they suffer endlessly. I have cast-on-itis and I usually have several projects going. I can’t be bothered to make a second sock. That’s a level of commitment I’m uncomfortable with. Just ask my husband how long he’s been waiting for his second mitten. Statistically he’s more likely to fall victim to a Great White shark and not even need the second mitten than it is for me to actually make one.

So now I had all this sock yarn, and I wasn’t using it.

Green lacework shawl finely knitted - beautiful too Then I found Sock-Yarn Shawls while browsing Barnes and Noble. I love knitting shawls and wraps. I live in the frigid north and appreciate layering options. Plus I enjoy lacework. This was a win-win all over. Sure I could have found some sock yarn shawl patterns on Ravelry, but when I looked through the book I liked 14 of the 15 patterns. That’s a pretty good buy right there.

I would say this book is good for an intermediate knitter. All the patterns have some level of lacework, so you need to be comfortable with that. If you can K2tog, YO and SSK though, you can work these patterns. There’s also a helpful glossary in the back of the book that explains the stitches.

Red shawl with lace edgesThe patterns are divided up into projects with a lace edge (my favorite), all over lacework, and non-triangle shapes. The thing I really liked about this book was that you get both written instructions and charts. I’m a fan of charts, usually, but I like referring to the written instructions when I get inevitably get confused.

This is a paperback book though, and if you try and lay it flat you’ll break the spine. Mine broke almost instantly. It’s best to photocopy the charts for your own use (I’m not endorsing any kind of copyright infringement, here, people. I’m not a monster). I neglected to do that, color-coded my chart with highlighter and then broke the binding trying to look at it and knit.

The pattern I chose was called Garter Love. You do a basic tab cast on, work an increase section in garter stitch, then do a lace edge. I completed the entire thing in about 5 good sessions of knitting–although I did get my lacework messed up and I had to rip back a bit.

I was thrilled with the result.

Elyse's sock yarn shawl, with her orange tabby Dewey looking over her shoulder

The sock yarn means the shawl is airy and light. The lacework really stands out. It’s hard to see in the picture (featuring Dewey the Cat), but the edge has a really beautiful texture. I loved to watch it appear as I knit. As info, my shawl was made with Tosh Merino Light, color Forestry.

If you need a gift for a knitter, love to make shawls or have too much sock-yarn, this book is really an excellent choice.

By the way, rather than use up some of that stash yarn for my shawl, I used the project as an excuse to buy new stuff. I don’t have a problem. I can stop whenever I want.

 

This book is available from:
  • Available at Amazon
  • Order this book from apple books

  • Order this book from Kobo

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
We also may use affiliate links in our posts, as well. Thanks!

Sock-Yarn Shawls by Jen Lucas

View Book Info Page

Add Your Comment →

  1. Phoebe says:

    So pretty! I did the same thing with sock yarn — that is, I was lured into buying it by the beautiful colors and textures and then discovered I hated 0000 dpn.

    I’m getting this book. Can you do these shawls with only a few small skeins?

  2. Eileen says:

    That’s a very pretty shawl in a really nice color, and having your cat in the picture is a bonus. I love cats.

    I don’t know how to knit but these shawls and the arm warmers from Outlander make me wish I did. Is knitting something a person can learn from an instructional book? If so, does anyone have any recommendations? I don’t know anyone who knits who could show me how. I would love to try to make some of these nice things.

  3. Spinster says:

    Love that book! BTW, Sock Yarn Shawls II comes out January 6. I am all over that thing.

    And Elyse! Get thee to the Google and look for “knit two socks at once”, as the technique can also be applied to mittens (and sleeves, legwarmers, etc.). It’s the only reason I successfully knit pairs of mittens.

  4. DonnaMarie says:

    Eileen, I’m a self taught knitter, so it’s doable buuuut…. I get middling results and have huge problems with tension, which can make a person, well, tense, and their scarves wider at one end than the other. I recommend a finding a mentor or a trip to your closest yarn shop where you will find lovely people eager to sign you up for a class. Even Joanne’s has knitting classes. You learn tricks no book could effectively teach you. It’s on my list of things to do next year… like cleaning out my closet… and organizing my fabric stash…

  5. LILinda says:

    You can take a book to Staples/Office Max and they will put a spiral on the spine of a paper book, and even laminate the covers. Makes life much easier when the book stays open.

  6. rachel says:

    Can you please consider me a charity project and knit something for me? I need ALL THE THINGS!!! Please and thank you 🙂

  7. sandyl says:

    Oooh. I am knitting a shawl from this book right now. It is a great book. Are you on ravelry.com?

  8. Elyse, how would you like to knit two socks at a time using circular needles? Introducing Melissa Morgan-Oakes and her 2-at-a-Time Socks… plus her Toe-Up 2-at-a-Time Socks. (I learned about her books from Ilona Andrews. And I knitted the toe-up sample socks—now I just need to use some of my sock yarn stash to make socks for myself and my nephews. (What? I’m selfish and lazy, and my nephews have small feet. And everyone else has their own sock pushers.))

    http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_5?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=toe-up+2-at-a-time+socks+by+melissa+morgan-oakes&sprefix=toe-u%2Caps%2C386

  9. Karen S says:

    Eileen, you can learn from books, but there’s also tons of instructional videos on YouTube! It all depends on what learning style is best. Get yourself some 5mm needles and a ball of worsted-weight wool or acrylic yarn (Wal-Mart or Michaels will have lots in that weight, and cotton isn’t always great for your first time out), an instructional book or two from the library and search for “how to knit” on YouTube. If you have problems, lots of local yarn stores and some libraries have knitting classes or knitting groups where someone could likely give you a hand. 😀

    Join the dark side! We have cashmere. 😀

  10. Elyse says:

    Sandyl, I am on Ravelry as Elyse123

  11. Ceece says:

    Hello, Elyse!

    I am only at step one in my yarnaholics journey (admitting I have a problem) but I might buy this book because, you know, I might knit a shawl from the yarn I already have.

  12. ReneeG says:

    Thanks to Elyse and her patterns, I’ve taken back the needles, although my yarn stash is sorely lacking. The first time I learned (years and years and years ago), my grandma and mom taught me. There were issues and angst, lots of angst. Ihis time, I found a coupon on Living Social and found a couple of classes to help get back on the road at my local yarn store AND I’ve found a couple of books that help (now, the book stash is doing well, very well indeed!). Some things I can pick up from the books, others I really need someone to just tell me where to put the fracking needle. But having my yarn store close by with help available not only from my teachers but also the ladies who have their knitting groups there is great.

    I’ve checked out a couple of books about knitting with excess sock yarn or just a 1, 2 or 3 skeins of yarn that were published recently. Which is wonderful, since the colors and the feel of the sock yarn is truly excellent!

  13. Eileen says:

    DonnaMarie and Karen S – Thanks for your advice on how to get started. I know that there is a local fabric store so there must be a yarn shop somewhere around. I didn’t even think of YouTube, but I’ll check that out also. Thanks again.

  14. Kate says:

    Elyse,
    I love your posts. I love your cat. I love, love your knitting and it just may be the thing I’m most jealous of since I also live in Wisconsin and wouldn’t know a crochet hook from a knitting needle and really even if such things have hooks or needles. I’ve been known to donate clothing just for needing a button. I’m challenged when it comes to all things textiles. So I bow to you. And if you ever sell your shit, you tell me NOW.
    Love,
    Kate

  15. SB Sarah says:

    @Eileen:

    I second (or third) everyone who has suggested a yarn shop or crafts store for hands-on lessons. I also taught myself the basics using this book: Kids Knitting – it’s for children who want to learn to knit, and while I haven’t made any of the projects, the illustration of what to do for knit or purl, and how to yarn over were really helpful because the pictures are huge and very clear. I still have the book on my shelf in case I need a reminder on a basic technique.

  16. Barb in Maryland says:

    Elyse

    Pretty! Alas, the arthritis in my fingers means my crafting days are few and far between. But I do understand the lure of the SHINY!
    Do not ask me about my embroidery thread collection or my quilting fabric…..
    A friend introduced me to the term SABLE–Stash Acquired Beyond Life Expectancy. Yup, I has it.
    Or, as a mug I once had proclaimed: “She Who Dies With the Most Fabric Wins”. Feel free to substitute “yarn” for “fabric”.

  17. Connie says:

    I bought a kit a few years ago at Barnes and Noble and stashed it away. After all the Claire posts I decided to get it out and I think I’m hooked. I am 40 inches into a 63 inch scarf and have been knitting and listening to a book on tape with earphones while my husband watches tv! I couldn’t follow the instructions for casting on stitches from the kit so I Googled how to cast on stitches and came up with a wonderful Youtube video from Kitting Tips by Judy which was very easy to follow. I will now definitely look up a yarn shop from my next project. Sarah, thanks for the Kids Knitting tip. Will definitely get the book.

  18. DonnaMarie says:

    @Barb I am coming to Maryland to hug you. I am sharing SABLE with everyone in my guild. It’s a step forward in recovery, being able to name the affliction. Also, been to Maryland and would love to go back as it is a lovely place.

  19. garlicknitter says:

    One of my other jobs is teaching at a local yarn store. I regularly warn people about the dangers of sock yarn. Pretty much every independent dyer I ever heard of dyes at least one sock base, so there’s a lot of pretty stuff out there. Most of it is put up in skeins big enough for a pair of socks, which is also a nice amount for a shawl. When you just drop in at your local yarn store or visit a new-to-you yarn store (I’m always on the lookout when traveling), if you want to just buy a little something, sock yarn is an easy choice because you know you’ll probably be able to make something wonderful with just one skein. Next thing you know, you have 156 skeins of sock yarn in your stash.

    I warn people of this danger. They smile and nod, and the next thing I know, they have 42 skeins of sock yarn and are wondering when our next shipment of Madelinetosh* is due.

    It’s an awesome addiction to have.

    *Independent yarn dyer with extra-wonderful yarn.

  20. Mara says:

    @Elyse, check out magic loop circular knitting and you will never have to deal with evil dpns again! http://www.knittinghelp.com/video/play/magic-loop

    @Eileen in addition to YouTube check out http://www.knittinghelp.com they have videos for most techniques and they generally show the techniques in both English and Continental style.

  21. Elyse says:

    I learned to knit at a small yarn store too– 2 hrs every Saturday for a month. I still buy most of my yarn there and go there for help and advice on my projects. They give you hot tea and cookies when you shop. I want to live there

  22. cotterpinx says:

    Just FYI, for those who think they’d like to knit stuff but don’t feel they are coordinated enough or are otherwise disinclined to try needle knitting, they might be interested in checking out loom knitting. I sort of knew how to needle knit but could never make anything with consistent size/shape due to tension problems and dropping stitches like crazy. I found out about loom knitting a few years ago, and it seemed to have a bit of a renaissance around 2010-2012 or so. Interest seems to have died down a little but there is still a fair amount of good stuff out there.

    I started with some of the plastic Knifty Knitters, still have & use them, but also have a selection of other looms including some nicer wooden ones.

    Pros:
    * Knitting with pretty much zero issues due to dropped stitches, and (as far as I can tell) no tension problems.
    * You can literally drop the loom and run off without worrying about losing something — I first learned loom knitting while my DD was potty training, so the ability to stop, drop, and run at the 1st cry of “Mommy, I have to go!” was critical.
    * You can make tube shapes SUPER easily, so hats, mittens, socks* — no problem
    * You can also make panels by going back and forth (instead of around and around), even on circular looms.

    Cons:
    * Harder to find patterns
    * Your gauge is limited to the size of your loom & less easy to switch it up. Most of the inexpensive plastic looms are sized for bulky or super-bulky yarns. If you want to knit using sock yarn, you need a loom sized for sock weight yarn.

    Anyhoo, i thought i’d mention it in case someone hadn’t heard about it and felt like giving it a try. For me it was an easier way in to knitting. I have since picked up needle knitting a bit, but the results are not nearly as consistent so it’s a lot more frustrating for me. I’ll be sticking with loom knitting as well.

    There are lots of YouTube videos for demonstrating stitches and so forth, and I also like Isela Phelps’ loom knitting books.

    Loom Knitting Primer

  23. JessicaG says:

    Ooooooooh!!! I must get this. I neeeeeeeed this. I love to knit socks, but I mostly love sock yarn. And I have a love for shawls and lacework. So this is win-win-win for me.

    On a side note, it is my opinion that all knitting books and cookbooks should be spiral bound. Because who wants to wrestle with binding when you’ve got your hands full of cookie dough or cashmere?

  24. Susan says:

    I do a lot of needlework (embroidery, needlepoint, cross stitch, hardanger, etc.), but am only an occasional knitter/crocheter/quilter. Although the former are more decorative, and the latter eminently more useful, I have been resisting the impulse to become more committed because I can only envision the resultant stash explosion. I’d have to use my kitchen for storage if I added one more stash-intensive activity. Instead, I am living vicariously thru your exploits. 🙂

  25. Pansy Petal says:

    I understand completely! I too am a yarn-aholic. I have this lovely walk-in closet that I use for my collection. It is stuffed full. Lucky for me, I do like to knit socks though. But I like to knit most anything too. Shawls have become a recent favorite, so this caught my interest. Thank you for sharing. Of course a new project needs new yarn. Why waste a good reason for a shopping trip? 😉 I think I will go knit for a while.

  26. Michelle says:

    I just stumbled onto this website tonight – knitting, romance novels and cute cat pics…is this heaven?!

  27. Mikaela says:

    Oh that is gorgeous! I love lacy-knitted shawls, but I cannot knit. Or rather I have forgotten the basics I learned in Elementary School.
    So I buy my lacy shawls when I find them. The latest purchase is navy blue and long. I love it.

  28. Eileen says:

    SB Sarah and Mara – Thanks for your help. Both the book and the website look good.

    I did a google search and found a local yarn store about 10 minutes away from my house. I didn’t even realize it was there and I go by that way to do errands at least once a week! Their website mentions classes so I think I’m in luck.

  29. SB Sarah says:

    Welcome! I’m not sure if it’s heaven, but it’s a lot of fun. 🙂 Glad you found us!

Add Your Comment

Required fields are marked *

You may use these HTML tags and attributes:
<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>

*


This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

↑ Back to Top