Ponchos & Wraps

I took this book out of the library just to see some of the patterns. I usually look at a knitting pattern book for a week or two, decide if there is anything worth making and copy the one design that I like. But this book had so many that I thought were interesting designs that I decided to purchase it. Some of the patterns are just variations of the same thing, but I am already planning to buy the yarn for 3 patterns.

This is a beautiful book, very inspiring!!! I guess I would like to wear almost 80% of the patterns. Like any book, some are a bit tacky... :-) But nevertheless others are very pretty!

Not only are the ponchos & wraps very stylish, I love the codes before each project listing the Skill Level, Size, and then needle & yarn requirements [of which is broken down by weight, yardage] and then the needles & accesaries required. By each picture is a list of the yarn & colors used in the project along with the yardage so that you can easily substitute with another [less expensive] yarn of your choice. The directions are so clear and every poncho & wrap so beautiful, I don't know which to start first. I want them all! Now if only I can put the book down and start one already....

Unlike many pattern-collection books of this type, there isn't a single 1970's granny poncho in the bunch! No poncho or wrap or cape or shrug in this book even comes close to being a granny poncho! This book is gorgeous. There are beautiful, color photos of the front of each item (as well as photos of the backs of some items) in the book and my favorites (like the Waterfalls and Dramatic Dateware aka a shrug) even include suggestions and instructions for variations on the main pattern to "make it your own". Each item also includes specifics on which brand, weight and color of yarn was used, so you won't have to guess to get the same vibrant results you'll see in the photos. There are a few pages at the very end covering the basic techniques you'll need as well. When I first flipped through the pages all I could say was "Wow!" This book is MUCH better than I expected it would be. It does not disappoint in the least. It's worth every penny, even for an inexperienced knitter like me... it gives me something to aspire to when I have some time to pick up the needles again. But don't let that stop you. This is a unique collection of beautiful knitted garments for daytime, playtime or evening wear that includes something for everyone.

The recent (and sustaining) return of the poncho/scarf/wrap to women's fashion didn't begin with the elite designers and a good marketing scheme, but with the booming number of knitters who long to create useful, beautiful things with all of the amazing yarns now available to us. We love yarn passionately, so how could we not wrap ourselves up in the stuff given the chance? How gratifying to see fashion bending to the desires of the wearers instead of the more typical "slave to fashion" mindset! "Ponchos and Wraps" from the XRX "knitters's dozen" series is a terrific entry into the current trend. The patterns inspire rather than intimidate. By providing patterns with several interpretations, I feel encouraged to experiment with yarns, colors, needles, length, widths, etc. The styles have quite a range, and the presentation made me believe that wearers of any age and size could adapt them to their own taste. Of the 22 patterns and respective variations , I find myself wanting to make nearly half of them. Whether you want to accent an evening gown or throw something over your t-shirt and jeans, this book provides ideas for both and everything between. I was enamored with the ridiculously simple "waterfall" stoles and scarves (I smacked my forehead with a "Why didn't I think of that?!") as soon as I saw how it was done (what a thrill to drop a stitch on purpose for the entire length of a project!). The cabled capelet won me over as an alternative to my many cardigans. There are several variations on the mitered square that make my fingers itch to experiment with color and texture (Noro, anyone?), and the "All Seasons" poncho will look great with my jeans and khakis. I've never done entrelac before, but I think the shrug is an ideal first project (it's merely a modified rectangle). If you like lace, there is a terrific interpretation of EZ's classic "Pi" shawl which becomes a graceful and warm "coat" of sorts. It's really beautiful. There are even some ideas for weaving to add texture to your work. In all, there are about 9 versions of the poncho, 5 capes/capelets (a nice diversity there), about 7 wraps/stoles, and the simple shrug mentioned above. Lace, weaving, mitered squares, variety in styles, and the directions are concise and clear; add all of these things to the large number of projects and it's well worth the moderate cost.