A Knitting Wrapsody [Englisch] [Taschenbuch]

I love Kristin Omdahl patterns, I have several books from her, This book has beautiful patterns, and because they are inspired in crochet, you can get many ideas how to crochet this patterns. The DVD is exellent, she explains all the techniques she uses in the patterns. This is a great book, with very original patterns. This is no a beginners book, I'll say Intermediate more to advanced.

Wraps are currently a popular item to knit, along with Cowls (see my review of Cowl Girls: The Neck's Big Thing to Knit. Is it because we're keeping our houses cooler in winter to save fuel (not a bad thing...we keep ours at 64 or 65) or because we feel a psychic need for warm comfort wrapped around our shoulders and necks? I don't know, but I do know I enjoy knitting both cowls and wraps. This book has some innovative patterns for these hybrids of cardigans and shawls--designed to conform to your upper body but not fitted and buttoned like a cardigan. Or...they are shawls, scarves, or shawlettes--a shawlette being a cowl that slipped down or a shortened shawl, just enough to keep shoulders cozy.

There are eighteen patterns, categorized: scarves, wraps, shawls, and skirts. They go from lacy to quite dense, solid knitting. It's really hard for me to pick a favorite because there are a lot of great ideas in this book. Here are a few:

1. An infinity wrap-plus-sleeves. The back is knitted with a textured large motif (really a figure 8 but they say infinity so I guess you better be photographed lying on your side!) It could be knit with handspun yarns or art yarns, so this is a great show piece for some interesting, textured yarns. And it's one of those pieces you grab to thrown on at home or just going out whether you live in Southern California, Maine or Georgia. It could be made into a fabulous evening coat.

2. The "Leilani" which is a three-panel shawl. The front panels are solid, soothing garter stitch for the front panels, and an exciting back panel in flower motifs that look like crocheted motifs but are knitted. Personally, I would adapt this pattern, if I liked to do crochet, and put crochet motifs in the middle instead of the knit flowers. I think it would be amazing to mix crochet and knit. Plus you might choose a different motif to suit yourself or make it multi-colored in the center. Either way, this pattern's shape lends itself to modification if you want to take off on your own ideas. It's edged in a solid tooth design, and front or back, looks amazing.

3. Warrior Wings--a side-tied shawlette, lacy, beautiful as an evening wrap.

4. Gypsy Skirt --I'd have called this a pareo, instead. It's a very open, netted overskirt that can be worn as a halter or just around the waist. This is perfect as a light swimsuit cover, and if you live by the pool in the summer, you are going to want to knit one of these. There is another skirt--a side ruffled solid skirt that is striking. Not for everyone, to be sure, but a really eye-catching design.

There is a DVD included with this book to go over some of the innovative knitting techniques, so the flower is demonstrated. Also demonstrated--edgings, a picot cast on, and much more. I think this adds so much to the book--not sure how to make a particular model? Check the DVD to watch Kristin Omdahl demonstrate.

I admire so many more of the patterns, and I encourage you to examine the book for yourself. I think this is one of the most useful knitting design books to come out recently and each of these patterns could be adapted, using different stitch patterns or techniques, to make additional designs. With the inclusion of a technique DVD, this book is suitable for most knitters, because even if you are a beginner, you can work on the techniques until you have them down, then embark on one of the projects. Love this book!

This book focuses on wraps, shawls, and shrugs. It has the innovative feature of including a DVD that illustrates some of the special techniques used in the book. This is a fantastic feature.
Kristin is well known in the crochet world. I'm not a crocheter, so I'm looking at the designs solely from a knitter's point of view.
This book is not intended for beginners, as it really requires a good foundation in basic kntting techniques.
I'm fairly experienced as a knitter, so I'm attracted to new and different tecnniques and design effects.

Overall, the book is well-produced: there are lots of clear photos of each piece; charts and schematics are sharp and usable; the design layout is visually pleasing.
On to the patterns:
I Do - diamond lace scarf, is very pretty, wearable and appealing. This might be the first project I tackle.
Echo - mobius - has an original stitch pattern that makes me want to try it.
Ring of cables shrug - has a bright fresh look that would be so cute on a twenty-something, and it has a really interesting construction.
Infinity cardi-wrap - just breathtaking in its unique design. A figure-8 is knitted for the back, So striking.
Finally, the Warrior wings shawl, with its pretty scalloped edges, is another winner.

I passed the book around at my knitting group, and these patterns got the most ooohs and aaahs.

As for the downside, I couldn't see knitting the Flamenco ruffled skirt, or the Gypsy wrap... Just not wearable for me or people I know.

All in all, there is a very proportion of things I do want to make, compared with other knitting books I have. So this book is a winner :-)