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NEW! Custom Shawls for the Curious and Creative Knitter (Fall 2020)

AVAILABLE NOW!

Custom Shawls for the Curious and Creative Knitter
by Kate Atherley and Kim McBrien Evans


 

Where to Buy

Indigodragonfly Studio

Shop your local indie bookstore

Amazon (US)


Indigo Books (Canada)

Errata

 

Ask anyone who knows Kate and Kim what a book written by both of them will look like, and the answer is the best of both worlds. Although Kim and Kate have come to the knitting industry from very different places, have very different backgrounds and interests, and very different approaches to the work, they see eye-to-eye on one element: flexibility.  At the core of their work, they enable knitters to creatively modify, personalize and customize their projects. 

This book brings together Kate's mathematical and analytic approach and Kim's intuitive color and design-driven sensibility to shawl knitting, guiding knitters so they can confidently make exactly what they want. Over the years they’ve taught many companion classes: channelling her mathematics education, Kate teaches the formulas and the rules, and channeling her musical education, Kim teaches students how to explore, improvise and bend the rules, weaving individual elements together to create a beautiful whole. Every time they’ve taught together, they grumble that they wish they were able to take each other’s classes – this book is a way of capturing both sides so they can learn from each other.


Praise
“Two of my favorite people have teamed up for this truly inspired book that is the first, last, and only book on shawls you'll ever need. Not only do they provide patterns for you to explore, but they go deep into the why of everything--from shapes and stitches to yarns and colors--so that you can break free and create whatever your own heart desires."

— Clara Parkes, author, yarn critic, and wool expert

“A brilliantly odd couple—technical maven Kate Atherley and vibrant yarn painter Kim McBrien Evans—have made the exact book knitters needed. Knitters love shawls—the perfect project to make and to wear—and now we can knit wonderful ones from this book forever. With impeccable organization and cheerful graphics, Kate and Kim walk the knitter through designing a custom shawl for any yarn. But we're going to start with the lush, painterly patterns—they might take a while.”

— Kay Gardiner and Ann Shayne, Modern Daily Knitting

“The real genius of Custom Shawls doesn't lie in its clarity (though it's super accessible), or its inspiration (though I dare you to finish the book without ignoring your other projects and starting a shawl Right Now), or in its technical depth (though it will help literally every knitter improve their craft.) No, the best part of this book is the way it marries Kate's exceptional technical instruction with Kim's wild creative abandon. And what a beautiful marriage it is.”

— Amy Herzog, knitwear designer and author

“A revolutionary shawl design book, brilliantly balancing technical and creative elements and strategies. No matter your knitting level, this book will skyrocket your ability to design exceptional and ingenious shawls.”

— Jillian Moreno, author and teacher

“How many times have you wished that all the ingredients for a stunning personalized shawl were gathered together all in one place? This book is an outstanding recipe for success: Blend Kate’s mastery of technical math skills together with Kim’s creative visionary flair, season to taste and mix well. Just as any master chef would do, Kate and Kim have dedicated themselves to developing their unique strengths. This book offers recipe suggestions and pattern instructions, but its superpower is in offering a wealth of ideas and inspirations, together with seasoning to delight the gourmet knitter; color adds fragrance, stitch patterns to add umami, and reliable references to calculate store cupboard requirements. Mixed together, this book delights every palette guiding us to produce outstanding projects time after time.”

— Fiona Ellis, knitwear designer and author

“Part math lesson, part wizardry, and part creative ingenuity, Custom Shawls will help you understand the basics of shawl shaping and then manipulate them into a creation beyond your wildest dreams.”

— Laura Nelkin, knitwear designer