A Lovely Gift
That I want to share with you
When I was just beginning my life as a professional knitter, I came across a book called Stahman's Shawls & Scarves: Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls From the Neck Down and Seamen's Scarves by Myrna A.I. Stahman. I don't remember the occasion, but you can see that Myrna signed my book with a date of 3/18/00. All these years later, Myrna is a subscriber to A Good Yarn!
In this book, Myrna discloses the secrets of Faroese shawl shaping. These shawls provide great coverage and have shoulder shaping which ensures they sit securely on your shoulders without any need for fussy shawl pins. The seamen's scarves are patterned on the ends and ribbed in the middle. This gives them a tidy fit around the neck, while the wider patterned ends keep the chest warm.
There are 14 shawl patterns, each with a pattern for a coordinating scarf, plus 29 seamen's scarf patterns. You can see lots of photos of projects made from these designs on Ravelry. But you won't find the patterns as downloads on Ravelry or elsewhere. You can only find them in the book.
This book was self-published in January 2000, in the days before widespread digital publishing. The photos in the book are black-and-white. But this is no amateur production. The book was meticulously researched. The techniques are clearly illustrated with beautiful drawings. The lace patterns are presented with clear and precise charts. Stahman's Shawls & Scarves is the product of many years of skilled and focused work.
I knit several shawls using patterns from this book, but I'm going to show you my favorite. This shawl still sees regular wear after more than 20 years.
She's a big girl. She hangs to my knees in both front and back. I love that I can wrap the fronts around and tie the points together behind my back, so I can wear this comforting shawl while working in the kitchen.
The pattern I used is the GS (garter stitch) Catharina Shawl. Myrna's patterns include instructions for modifying the shawls—you can knit them entirely in lace or work a solid section at the shoulders for extra warmth. You can make your shawl as big as you like. You can even add a lace border that matches up with the main lace pattern; the border charts are included.
I knit this shawl with a 1-pound skein of Mountain Colors Weaver's Wool. It's a hand-dyed, worsted-weight 100% wool. The color is called Ruby River. Mountain Colors still dyes this colorway, but no longer carries those big beautiful skeins of Weaver's Wool. I think their 4/8 Wool is probably the closest you can get in their current line-up. You'd need 5 skeins to make a shawl this size.
Myrna Stahman is retired now. She has decided to give away her remaining book inventory. When she offered to send me a box of books to share with interested knitters, I jumped at the chance.
I have eleven brand new copies of Stahman's Shawls & Scarves which I will gladly give to subscribers of A Good Yarn. I can ship these via USPS media mail; all I ask is that you pay postage of $5.00 per book. Unfortunately, I can only ship these within the United States. One book per person, please.
UPDATE Apr 12: While the first batch of books were all claimed the first day, Myrna has graciously offered to send more. Continue to send DMs, and I’ll put you in the list for a book from the second batch.
If you'd like one of these precious books, please send me a message using the button below. Include your email address and your shipping address. I'll email you with my PayPal information for the postage. The first 11 knitters who send me a message will get these books.
Thank you, Myrna!
I recently finished reading James, by Percival Everett. This is a marvelous book.
James is an imaginative retelling of Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of Jim, the runaway slave who accompanied Huck on his adventure down the Mississippi River. James is revealed as a dedicated autodidact who has surreptitiously (and illegally) taught himself to read and write by sneaking into the library of his owners. When James is bit by a rattlesnake, his fever dreams involve conversations with Voltaire.
Everett does a remarkable job of taking us inside the mind of an enslaved person. We see how James navigates the disconnect between his intelligence and the expectations of the white people who surround him. We feel his constant awareness of the precarity of his position, particularly when he is on the run with Huck. We come to understand James’ moral code.
This book is beautifully written and full of surprises. I listened to the audiobook, and the narration was masterful. Don't think twice—pick up this book at your local bookstore or library. Or use the link above the cover photo to order a copy from Bookshop.org. I'll earn a small commission if you do.
Things that caught my eye
If you're not already a subscriber to Articles of Interest, you're missing out. Avery Truffleman's podcast about our relationship to clothing is nothing short of brilliant. I loved this episode which tackles the question of why we bother to wear clothes.
Remember when the big chain bookstores had big comfy armchairs where you could park yourself for hours on end? I certainly do. So does the author of this elegy for the comfy bookstore chair.
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Continue the conversation! What knitting book has had a place of honor on your shelf for years? Tell us about it in the comments.
Absolutely your shawl is like a wearable blanket, how comforting it must be to wear. A stunning design by Myrna Stahman. Thanks so much for sharing about her book. :)
I have this book in my library and it has been an endless source of inspiration over the years :)