Scottish Highland Knits

Scottish Highland Knits by Sarah Dallas, Wendy Baker and Catherine Tough, Trafalgar Square Books, 2007, 96 pp.

Pretty!If nothing else, Rowan produces really, really pretty books.  The photography is gorgeous (though not all pics show the garment as clearly as I’d’ve liked).  The subtle colorways of the chosen yarns really appeal to me.  The styling is soft and lovely.

Scottish Highland Knits features 18 patterns made for Rowan Scottish Tweed.  The patterns tend to updated classic over trendy: very subtle fair isle/stranded pieces, cables, texture.  None of these are knock-your-socks off patterns, but I do think that they are very wearable in style, and will be for years.

Included:

  • 4 jackets/coats (2 women’s, 1 men’s, 1 children’s)
  • 1 lace top
  • 1 wrap cardi
  • 1 shrug
  • 2 men’s pullovers
  • 2 pillows/cushions
  • 2 throws
  • 2 scarves
  • 1 pr each gloves, socks, and felted slippers

Lace topSizing may be an issue; women’s XS is to fit 32-34″ bust;  the largest size is to fit 40-42″ bust.   Men’s sizing runs to fit from small at 38-40″ to XXL at 46-48″.

A couple pages at the end give a brief overview of techniques, but this is basically a pattern book.  If you’re new to stranded knitting, some of these patterns, especially the pillows, would be a fine place to start;  only a couple different colors are used, keeping the stranding pretty simple.  You might want to review some other sources for in depth how-to, though.

You can purchase your copy through Amazon by clicking on the book cover above.

I received my review copy from the publisher.