Book Review: Shawl Love by Melanie Berg
I have to admit: I am not a shawl knitter (yet). I usually gravitate towards scarves and cowls, and whenever I think about knitting a shawl, my mind immediately jumps to practical questions: How do I style it? When would I actually wear it?
And yet, here I am – once again very lucky to have received a free copy of Melanie Berg’s latest book, Shawl Love. And once again, Melanie, also known as mairlynd in the knitting community, manages to gently challenge my knitting habits.
Published on 15 January and printed with both English and German instructions, the book includes 14 shawl patterns. Most of them are triangular, with two rectangular designs and at least one half-moon shape mixed in. Even for someone who hasn’t fully embraced shawls yet, there is plenty here that feels approachable, tempting and, most importantly, enjoyable.
As Melanie writes in the book: “Here you’ll find patterns that take the stress away – not add to it.” And that is very much my kind of knitting. The patterns, as she puts it, “offer just enough variety to stay interesting, but never so much complexity that you lose the fun.” Of course, what feels complex is highly subjective but the intention behind the book is clear throughout: this is knitting meant to be both comforting and rewarding.
Melanie Berg, aka mairlynd, has just published her new book ‘Shawl Love’, featuring 14 endearing shawl knitting patterns.
One of the standout features of Shawl Love is the inclusion of Row Maps, which Melanie developed together with Chad Lewis. These work a bit like GPS for your knitting: “practical checklists that guide you through every row”, especially helpful on days when concentration is hard to come by.
Just as with her other books (e.g. Easy Sweaters to Knit), Melanie gently encourages knitters to keep it easy and to enjoy the process as much as the finished shawl. She shares tips and tricks from her own experience generously throughout the book, and there is a reassuring sense of being guided every step of the way. At the end, Melanie showcases the test knitters’ versions and it is, as always, a highlight. The variety is inspiring and really brings the designs to life.
Shawl Love may not have turned me into a shawl knitter overnight, but it has certainly nudged me closer. It’s a thoughtful, generous book that prioritises enjoyment, reassurance, and community – something Melanie Berg does exceptionally well.
The stand-out designs (for me)
One shawl I immediately fell for is Memory Code, a textured piece with a refined knit-purl pattern. The front and back look quite similar, which I know can be an important detail for some knitters.
Memory Code shawl
Winter Ashburn shawl
Winter Ashburn intrigued me for a different reason. While I usually prefer clean lines and clear aesthetics, this design made me curious, especially about the optional picot edge. Melanie also provides an alternative finish if picots aren’t your thing, which I appreciate immensely. The ombré effect in the sample is also stunning.
And then there is Wonderwall. Colourful accents? Yes. Semi-circle shape? Yes. Two sizes and an interesting construction with a garter tab cast-on? Also yes. This one feels playful and modern, and I loved seeing how differently it turned out for various testers.
Wonderwall shawl
Line Break shawl
Having made the Heartwarmer cowl in 2023 (a joyful texture study in hot pink) it’s no surprise that Line Break is my favourite in the book, marked immediately with a sticky note. The triangular shawl plays beautifully with texture and colour: while the sample’s contrasts make the stitch pattern pop, it would look just as elegant in a single colour or a softer blend. As Melanie writes, “Like a pause between lines in a story, this shawl gives you room to breathe and experiment.”