A Gathering of Lace

Gathered by Meg Swansen

Elaine Rowley, Ed. (XRX)

AUD$47.95, ISBN 1893762025

Traditional Knitted Lace Shawls

Martha Waterman (Interweave Press )

AUD$34.95, ISBN 1883010489

A Gathering of Lace is a stunning collection of lace patterns compiled by Meg Swansen. Aiming to provide a contemporary take on lace knitting and knitted lace, the contributors provide inspiration for knitters of different ages, tastes, and skill levels. (Note: The majority of patterns are labelled 'intermediate' or 'experienced' but an intrepid beginner should not be dissuaded.)

Projects included run the gamut from socks, gloves, and purses to shawls, shrugs, and jumpers 'while showing a range of lace stitches in a variety of yarns, fibres and tensions. The featured designers, introduced in brief biographies near the end of the book, are also diverse. The stories behind many of their creations accompany the patterns.

Within the volume knitters will also find concise explanations of the basic elements of lace construction (e.g. yarn overs, various types of decrease, and special cast-on methods), as well as tips and advice on techniques and treatments (e.g. how to block shawls, read charts, and splice wool). Although sure to end up in your knitting bag, A Gathering of Lace is attractive enough to reside on the coffee table.

Martha Waterman's Traditional Knitted Lace Shawls is an excellent resource for those interested in designing and caring for hand-knitted lace shawls. It begins with a brief history of knitting in general and lace shawls in particular, exploring the influences on and origins of knitted lace shawls, as well as the evolution of their knitting.

Waterman provides practical recommendations for the creative process, such as a variety of methods for making different shapes (squares, rectangles, triangles and circles), how to estimate the amount of yarn needed, which fibres and yarn weights work best for specific types of stitching, and how many stitches are required at what gauge in order to shift a work in progress to a longer circular needle. In addition, she gives advice on blocking, storing, mending, and wearing shawls and stoles. The whys and wherefores of borders and finishing touches are similarly addressed.

Readers will be tempted by several pages of openwork, mesh, and textured stitch patterns 'as well as several edging patterns 'traditionally used in shawl-making. Although the book includes eight complete patterns utilising the techniques and stitches presented within, its main purpose is to encourage and enable readers to design and knit their own family heirlooms.

—Ingrid Summers