One + One: Scarves, Shawls & Shrugs: 25+ Projects from Just Two Skeins

I think Ms. Schreier has a winner here. I would have given this book a five upon first quick perusal, but since I've not tried any of the patterns yet I'm giving it a four. I'm a very timid beginning-plus knitter. Scarves, simple shawls, and neck-warmers are just about all I have attempted so far. This seems like a good book for someone like me who wants a bit of a challenge without going too far. Many of the patterns don't seem overly complicated; accessories to expand my very limited skills without going overboard, and with just two skeins. There is a wide variety of shawls, stoles, cowls and shrugs, from the very basic "Team Scarf", which uses 2 very basic rib patterns but also incorporates some small cables, to the more advanced lace wraps, including everything in-between. The knitting techniques are very well explained, and Ms. Schreier gives us a short-but-sweet introduction explaining what we can expect when working the patterns. I can't wait to start on the "Team Scarf", and go from there. There is one other feature in this book that I very rarely see: the suggested yarns for the projects are a bit pricey, and may be beyond the average person's budget. But at the back of the book there is a yarn substitution chart which lists mass-market, budget-friendly alternatives. I wish all knitting/crochet books would follow suit. I have a feeling I'm going to change my review to 5 stars after I complete my first couple of projects. So...here we go....

For my last birthday a friend of mine gave me two skeins of Beaded Rhapsody (a mohair-silk blend which is beautifully beaded). It is such special yarn that until I purchased this book I could not find the perfect pattern. All I can say is that there are plenty of gorgeous patterns to choose from in One + One. In this book the author suggests combining two different skeins of yarn to make one project (which I did not realize until I bought the book). However you don't have to apply that rule. It looks as though many of these projects will work with two skeins of the same yarn. And you can of course, use these patterns with almost any brand of yarn you have in your stash-not just the suggested Artyarn varieties (which BTW is absolutely mouthwatering yarn). There is an especially cool pattern for a Striped Mobius which I have my eye on for a fall project but first I will use my two skeins of Beaded Rhapsody to knit the Mesh Wrap on page 94. This book is well worth the price paid and fun just to look through and enjoy!

Iris Schreier has created a lovely knitting book with her latest: One + One: Scarves, Shawls & Shrugs: 25+ Projects from Just Two Skeins . It contains a wide selection of scarves, shawls and shrugs, all tasteful and whetting the appetite. The Lacy Textured Cowl is unique - it can serve as a shawl or a shrug and it has a striking appearance. The shawl section is my favorite. The Elegant Cashmere Triangle deserves to be knit because it is so beautiful and the cashmere will feel so good against the skin. I also love the Mesh Wrap which has a bit of bling in it as it calls for a yarn with sequins and beads. It is just as much a shawl as it is a wrap. The Stacking Shells Shawl is a breathtaking pattern and requires some good knitting skills. It is lacy and romantic looking.The book contains 25 patterns, all interesting and pleasing to the eye. This is a nice addition to any knitting library.

The book is okay, because I bought it at reduced price. For its full price, I would not have bought it. There are a handful nice patterns in it, the rest could have been knitted without pattern at all. The one on the cover is one of the nicest.

Its a good book and most of the patters are wonderful. Honestly though, everything I have tried to knit so far I have had to rip out. The directions don't seem hard but somehow things still end up wrong. I am an experienced knitter and I've found what I think are mistakes in the charts and directions of some patters. I gave 4 stars because I like most of the projects; I'm giving the book the benefit of the doubt and am willing to assume that the mistakes are my error but I don't usually make errors big enough to have to rip out the project.

I wasn't expecting this book to be so Artyarns centric. I know I can sub yarns in, but I was turned off by the lack of variety in yarn choices used by this book. I think it should have been mentioned somewhere in the book title or description that all the patterns were written for Artyarns yarns. I'm not turned off by books that focus on a specific yarn in general, but I think it needs to be disclosed before you buy the book -- I have  60 Quick Knits: 20 Hats*20 Scarves*20 Mittens in Cascade 220  and like it because I knew what I was getting when I bought it.There are a good variety of patterns in the book. A good variety of items, styles, and difficulties. I might make a couple of things out of this book eventually, so it wasn't a total disappointment.

This is a book for advanced and experienced knitters, but that is not why I demoted one star from the rating... It's because the patterns are pretty darn specific to the yarn listed, even though the introduction encourages experimenting, people who know enough about fabric arts know when and when not to do that, and this book is not one of those times. The real problem, of course, with needing to use the specified yarn listed is if it is discontinued or the company goes out of business. Other than that, the patterns are gorgeous and the finished projects look gorgeous too.

Most of the one skein books are sort of boring so I was so happy to see someone branch out a bit and give us this gem! The projects are fairly quick to make. Two skeins of yarn and viola a very pretty and useful item!! You will have to use your imagination a bit if you want to use another yarn. She's very specific about her yarn selections. So if you are scared to change the yarn a designer designates this is not the book for you. There are a good many lacey projects...which made me even happier about this book. You should have some knitting experience, not a first timer's book...unless you want some incentive to get working on your knitting! There are charts and written patterns, another plus.

The best of the patterns in this book, in my opinion, are the ones shown in the look inside feature. Most of the patterns are for scarves and neck warmers. Ok the title suggests scarves but it also suggest shawls and shrugs of which there are few. Most competent knitters would not need a pattern for the things shown here. There is even the trick many a circular knitter will have done, twist the cast on, knit until they have half a twisted jumper and then smilingly shown it off as a shrug. I think many then pull it out when no one is looking. Maybe this book would be ok for someone who has done the learning knit purl and needs a move into patterns and texture. There are a couple of novel ways of fastening.

This is a lovely little book of small knitting projects with a wide range of techniques in lace & basic shaping. Bought it specifically for the cover shawl to use some Eden Cottiage yarn that needed something special. However have now got 3 or 4 more from it in the pipeline. Really recommend!

I took an idea from this book and made a moebius (did I spell that right?) scarf out of some wool from my stash. There are other things that I might make or adapt but the book may well date over time.

This book is very good.It as lots of lovely projects to knitInstructions clear to understandIt would make a great gift for a fellow knitter

Lots of beautiful designs in this book and a nice variation in styles. Recommended yarns are VERY expensive but I can't wait to find sensible substitutes to give some of these a go! :)