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A Garden of Shawls
Picture an elegant ornamental garden. Can you see it? It's full of lovely flowers peeking through the picket fences, swaying in the breeze, turning skyward to the warmth of the sun. It's a haven from a busy work day. A place to wander on a cool evening with a lacy shawl draped around your shoulders. A place to daydream...
A Garden of Shawls includes 12 beautiful lace shawls that evoke that feeling of being in a beautiful garden. Made with either fingering or lace weight yarns each shawl will inspire you to create your own slice of heaven.
A Garden of Shawls includes 12 beautiful lace shawls that evoke that feeling of being in a beautiful garden. Made with either fingering or lace weight yarns each shawl will inspire you to create your own slice of heaven.
- GenresNonfictionCrochet
92 pages, Paperback
Published April 4, 2017
3 people are currently reading
250 people want to read
About the author
Karen Whooley
43 books33 followersI also publish books under the name:
Karen Ratto-Whooley
Karen Whooley learned to crochet at age 7. She was taught by her Italian “Nonna” (Grandmother) and learned all the stitch names in Italian! Since Nonna didn’t know how to read patterns written in English, Karen had to teach herself.
Karen didn’t start her career as a designer until 1998. Up until that point she would follow patterns she bought in the store. If something didn’t work out to her satisfaction, she would modify it. Then in December of 1998, she met Terry Kimbrough through one of the many crochet lists on the Internet. Terry, who has always been one of Karen’s favorite designers, encouraged her to try her hand at designing something. Her first designs were Flower Dishcloths and to her amazement, Annie’s Attic liked them! From that point her career took off!
When her design career started, Karen also opened the doors of Crochet Legacy. Crochet Legacy grew from just offering a few patterns, to including accessories, classes and workshops and a whole lot more. In 2004, Karen finally learned to knit. In January 2007, Crochet Legacy became KRW Knitwear Studio, to include her patterns in Knit as well as crochet.
Karen lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest (Washington State) with her husband of 26 years, David and her 2 children.
Karen Ratto-Whooley
Karen Whooley learned to crochet at age 7. She was taught by her Italian “Nonna” (Grandmother) and learned all the stitch names in Italian! Since Nonna didn’t know how to read patterns written in English, Karen had to teach herself.
Karen didn’t start her career as a designer until 1998. Up until that point she would follow patterns she bought in the store. If something didn’t work out to her satisfaction, she would modify it. Then in December of 1998, she met Terry Kimbrough through one of the many crochet lists on the Internet. Terry, who has always been one of Karen’s favorite designers, encouraged her to try her hand at designing something. Her first designs were Flower Dishcloths and to her amazement, Annie’s Attic liked them! From that point her career took off!
When her design career started, Karen also opened the doors of Crochet Legacy. Crochet Legacy grew from just offering a few patterns, to including accessories, classes and workshops and a whole lot more. In 2004, Karen finally learned to knit. In January 2007, Crochet Legacy became KRW Knitwear Studio, to include her patterns in Knit as well as crochet.
Karen lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest (Washington State) with her husband of 26 years, David and her 2 children.
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March 13, 2017A Garden of Shawls is a pattern collection of crochet lace shawls by author, teacher, Craftsy instructor, and designer, Karen Whooley. The book opens will thumbnails of the twelve shawls which serve as a table of contents.
In Karen’s introduction, she shares her lifelong interest in Italian lace. (Like me, Karen learned to crochet from her grandmother as a child.) Karen’s conversational tone in the introduction and elsewhere spreads her enthusiasm to the reader.
The first section, Before You Get Started, includes chatty and understandable information about gauge, substituting thicker yarns, reading charts and pattern abbreviations, and blocking.
The book continues on to the twelve patterns in the collection (three of which are rated as “easy” and nine of which are rated as “intermediate”). Each pattern includes at least one full page photo of the design on the model and several, large photographs of details like edgings or pattern stitches. Most patterns include multiple full page photos. You can see each shawl from several angles and the photographs are beautifully shot in an outdoor setting that is appropriate to the book’s theme.
Each pattern includes a conversational introduction where Karen shares her inspiration or special features of the design. The patterns also include Skill Level, Finished Size, Materials, Gauge, and Pattern Notes. Special stitches are described within the pattern, rather than at the end, which means you don’t need to flip back and forth while crocheting. The patterns are written in U.S. pattern abbreviations in clearly organized sections (such as Increase Section) when appropriate.
Each pattern also includes a large schematic of the shawl shape with measurements. At the end of the written pattern, there is an international stitch symbol key and the pattern is also presented as an international stitch symbol chart. Some patterns also include links to relevant tutorials.
You can see all of the patterns in the book on the Ravelry source page. The designs are made in lace and fingering weight yarns from indie dyers, but the Before You Get Started section explains substitution if you don’t have access to these yarns. The book ends with a Resources section that includes more information about the yarns used in the patterns, blocking supplies, hooks, and notions. A brief bio of Karen is included on the last page.
Although most patterns are described as intermediate, if you have patience and a knowledge of basic crochet stitches, you should be able to complete these projects. The book is beautifully presented and provides plenty of crochet information. The organization, with special stitch patterns and international stitch symbols keys within the pattern, makes it more “user friendly” than some pattern collections, too.
If you like crochet lace, or crochet shawls, then you'll enjoy this pattern collection.
Full disclosure: A free PDF review copy of A Garden of Shawls was provided to me by Occhi Blu Press. Although I accept free products for review, I do not accept additional compensation, nor do I guarantee a positive review. My reviews are based entirely on my honest opinions.
In Karen’s introduction, she shares her lifelong interest in Italian lace. (Like me, Karen learned to crochet from her grandmother as a child.) Karen’s conversational tone in the introduction and elsewhere spreads her enthusiasm to the reader.
The first section, Before You Get Started, includes chatty and understandable information about gauge, substituting thicker yarns, reading charts and pattern abbreviations, and blocking.
The book continues on to the twelve patterns in the collection (three of which are rated as “easy” and nine of which are rated as “intermediate”). Each pattern includes at least one full page photo of the design on the model and several, large photographs of details like edgings or pattern stitches. Most patterns include multiple full page photos. You can see each shawl from several angles and the photographs are beautifully shot in an outdoor setting that is appropriate to the book’s theme.
Each pattern includes a conversational introduction where Karen shares her inspiration or special features of the design. The patterns also include Skill Level, Finished Size, Materials, Gauge, and Pattern Notes. Special stitches are described within the pattern, rather than at the end, which means you don’t need to flip back and forth while crocheting. The patterns are written in U.S. pattern abbreviations in clearly organized sections (such as Increase Section) when appropriate.
Each pattern also includes a large schematic of the shawl shape with measurements. At the end of the written pattern, there is an international stitch symbol key and the pattern is also presented as an international stitch symbol chart. Some patterns also include links to relevant tutorials.
You can see all of the patterns in the book on the Ravelry source page. The designs are made in lace and fingering weight yarns from indie dyers, but the Before You Get Started section explains substitution if you don’t have access to these yarns. The book ends with a Resources section that includes more information about the yarns used in the patterns, blocking supplies, hooks, and notions. A brief bio of Karen is included on the last page.
Although most patterns are described as intermediate, if you have patience and a knowledge of basic crochet stitches, you should be able to complete these projects. The book is beautifully presented and provides plenty of crochet information. The organization, with special stitch patterns and international stitch symbols keys within the pattern, makes it more “user friendly” than some pattern collections, too.
If you like crochet lace, or crochet shawls, then you'll enjoy this pattern collection.
Full disclosure: A free PDF review copy of A Garden of Shawls was provided to me by Occhi Blu Press. Although I accept free products for review, I do not accept additional compensation, nor do I guarantee a positive review. My reviews are based entirely on my honest opinions.
April 21, 2023
I got this because I thought it was for knit shawls but oops it's crochet (Which I do not currently know how to do). Some of the patterns were pretty though. But it wasn't inspiring enough for me to want to learn to crochet asap to make them.
March 16, 2017
This is now my go to pattern book for shawls. Living in the south shawls are a staple for chilly restaurants, movies....
Karen Whooleys book is clear to follow and includes great charts if you need a visual backup. You can tell Karen is a crochet teacher by the way she teaches you the pattern. The book is truly written in her voice. If you ever get the opportunity to take a class of hers, in person or via Craftsy, you will not be disappointed. Just like A Garden of Shawls is a keeper.
Karen Whooleys book is clear to follow and includes great charts if you need a visual backup. You can tell Karen is a crochet teacher by the way she teaches you the pattern. The book is truly written in her voice. If you ever get the opportunity to take a class of hers, in person or via Craftsy, you will not be disappointed. Just like A Garden of Shawls is a keeper.
April 24, 2018
Nothing for me.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews