Book Review: 20 Scarves to Knit by Monica Russel, October 2024

Discover the Perfect Scarf for Every Season

Whether you're looking for a delicate lacy scarf to complement your summer wardrobe or a chunky-knit scarf to keep you warm during winter, Monica Russel's latest book offers 20 gorgeous scarf designs that cater to all tastes and occasions. I am a real scarf lover and already have a few that I would love to make from this book. Read on for my detailed review....

Stylish Patterns for all Skill Levels

This comprehensive collection showcases a variety of knitting patterns for all skill levels, from quick projects using simple stitches and chunky yarn, to more detailed designs including lace and Fair Isle. There are single colour and striped scarves as well as interesting textured patterns using slipped stitches, wrapped stitches and a sampler style scarf using many textured patterns.

Some are knit flat and others are worked in the round - there is even one with a different pattern on one side to the other, which is worked in the round. Also featured is a scarf which looks like it is made up of individual motifs worked from the same chart in different colours, but it is in fact worked in one go, so no sewing up required.

So whether you are a beginner or a more experienced knitter you will find something to suit. Many of the patterns are easily adaptable and can be altered in width or length. You can also change up the yarns and colours used.

Clear, Concise Instructions

Each pattern includes all the information you will need to make the particular scarf you like such as the materials required, including the yarn weight and the actual make of yarn used by the author; the needle size in millimetres with UK and US conversions; the tension or gauge required; the blocked finished size and the written instructions.

These details are all presented on one page with a detailed image of the scarf on another. Easy to read, clear charts are also provided on the following page or pages where appropriate with a comprehensive key to the symbols or colours used.

Handy Size

The book itself is A5 in size and so is a handy size to be carried around when you take your knitting out on a journey - so why not get your knitting out on the bus or train and show people what you are working on. I can almost guarantee you will soon be chatting with one of your fellow passengers!

If you are into stash-busting, this book will give you the opportunity to do just that. You can also learn new skills with clear instructions provided, so you can create cosy, stylish accessories that not only look great but also showcase your new knitting expertise.

My Favourite Pattern

This is a tricky one as I have quite a few! But I am going for the one that first caught my eye and that is the Multicoloured Lace pattern on page 47, shown below. The image in the book uses Manos Del Uruguay Marina variegated yarn with 3.75mm needles and is just stunning! I prefer lightweight scarves even in the winter as I love to tuck them around my neck and under my coat.

My Observations

This book is very well written with gorgeous patterns, however I feel that as a reviewer I have to be honest and point out any concerns I have that arise along the way. Whilst looking through the book I noticed the following which I thought could be useful for you if you decide to buy this book.

• With my tech editor hat on I have calculated that the Finished Blocked Size is larger than the provided tension would give in almost all cases. This led me to realise that the tensions given are before blocking. Just something to be aware of when working a tension/gauge square.

• There are some slight formatting inconsistencies – but none that would give any concern to the maker.

• The Turning Row Waves pattern uses the wrap and turn technique to create blocks that increase and decrease in width/height. I can see from the image that the wraps are not worked together with the wrapped stitch when they are later knitted, and so they create bumps on the right side of the work which are very visible. This may be a design feature but personally if I was making this scarf I would work the wrap and turns in the standard way, by knitting them together, when I came to them.

• There is a slight error on the last pattern: Play Textures. The Section 1 chart repeat is given as a multiple of 4 + 2 stitches whereas I believe it should be a multiple of 6 + 2, and the repeated sections on the charts are not shown. The publisher has been made aware. All errata are on the Search Press website and they can be downloaded and printed out from there.

Summary

All in all I would say this is a very well-written book with good images and charts. I only found one minor error as mentioned above. It is a varied collection with something to suit all tastes and skill levels.

Don't forget that if you are on my mailing list you can purchase any book that I review for 25% off from Search Press, using the discount code in my weekly email sent every Friday, available for TWO MONTHS from the date of the review.

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