Disclosure: I was given a copy of Crochet Cowls by the publisher, Stackpole an imprint of Rowman & Littlefield for review purposes.  The opinions here are my own.

Sharon has absolutely done it again. This is a stunning book on so many levels.

First the actual physical book is beautiful.  Many may not pay attention or notice these details
but, I do.  The feel of the cover, the inside intro pages, the chart shadowed as a header on the pages.

The photographs by Shanken Photography is on target. I love that the photos are clear and close so you can see the stitch and details like beads. Did I mention beads??? the Art Deco Skyline Cowl, above, is a work of art.

As usual I like to make a project or piece of a project from the books I review.  I think this is important to really see what others will read and need when they work from the book. 

I chose to make the Green Fields Capelet.  I happen to have enough Lion Brand- LB Collection Cotton/Bamboo, in green no less, to make the whole capelet.

I think it came out beautiful.  The finished size in the pattern is 39″ circumference at bottom, of which I am not.  Of course I did a gauge swatch and was right on target with Sharon’s.  I added 50 stitches to get the circumference I felt comfortable with. I am not comfortable with Tunisian in the round yet and was thrilled that this was worked flat and seamed up back. It is marked “Experienced” even with that said it did work up fast. I always learn a new stitch in Sharon’s books, and this pattern was no exception.

One thing I absolutely LOVE
about this book every book was the clear pictures of stitch instructions on the same pages as pattern being worked. LOVED THIS, no going to back of book looking up what I needed to know now. The only time I needed this feature was for the loop stitch, after looking at pics, piece of cake. The instructions for the other stitches, of which there were 4, were very clear as written. I chose to keep the loops on my capelet instead of snipping them into fringe as directed. 

The cowl above is one of my favorites, I love the red trim with the black and white chevron stitch in middle.

With the bulky look so popular this fall I included a picture of that cowl too.

I will definitely be making the Green Fields Capelet again, in black.  All my black dresses have prints, I’ve been looking for something like this design.  Look for me to be wearing it at the Crochet Guild of America conference next year.  I will be going back to this book for gifts too.

Sharon has generously allowed me to have a giveaway for Crochet Cowls.  Please follow the instructions below to enter.  The US winner can choose a print or digital copy, outside the US would win a digital copy.

To learn more about Sharon Hernes Silverman’s work and other books visit Sharon’s web site here
Crochet Cowls is available on Amazon.com as well as many of her other publications.