Prelims
Introduction
I Love Shetland Lace
About This Book
Stitch Selector
Techniques
Stitch Directory - All-over patterns, Motifs and
frames, Edgings and Insertions
Projects - Aran weight scarf and hat, Ten-stitch
socks, Baby set, Triangular shawl, Mini-shawl, Full-size cobweb
shawl
Index, Resources, and Credits
Living in Orkney and frequently travelling to Shetland, Elizabeth Lovick has spent many years researching and knitting Shetland lace. A teacher by nature, she enjoys giving knitters the help they need to expand their horizons. She regularly contributes patterns and articles to knitting and spinning magazines in the US and UK. Visit her website www.northernlace.co.uk
Issue 65 The delicacy and beauty of traditional Shetland knitted
lace has enchanted people over the years, including designer
Elizabeth Lovick, who has created many beautiful patterns for
knitters to try. Now she has brought together all her knowledge in
her inspirational new book. Her techniques guide covers all the
fundamentals of Shetland lace knitting, including knitted-on
edgings, blocking lace, and fixing mistakes. She then explains how
to go about designing your own lace projects, looking at different
construction methods, putting motifs together and charting out your
design. Next up is a comprehensive stitch directory, starting with
an at-a-glance stitch selector, and instructions for more than 80
lace stitches. All are charted and most are written out, too.
Elizabeth also provides seven projects, including shawls, mitts,
socks and a baby set. This excellent book will be treasured by lace
knitters who want to try their hand at designing their own unique
creations.
*Knitter, The*
Oct 13 I love fair-isle and lace knitting, both hailing from
Scottish islands. That’s not to say I am traditional when it comes
to knitting, I like my knitwear to have a contemporary twist. This
book looks at Shetland lace – those incredible shawls that are so
fine they can pass through a wedding ring. Of course, many knitters
these days opt for the quicker, the better, which means chunky
yarns and big needles. Yet there is something special about
Shetland lace. Intricate, delicate and so fine. I would put the
Shetland shawl at the top of my list of accessories every woman
should have. It’s refined and a true heirloom. Shetland lace
patterns can look so complicated, that none but skilled knitters
would attempt them, so Elizabeth has set out to show that even
novice knitters can. Techniques are clearly shown, with clear step
by step instructions and charts. There is a stitch dictionary, so
you can design your own items. There are projects too, not just
shawls but socks, fingerless gloves and a baby set. I love the
Crescent Shawl, but I can’t work out the pattern and I have knitted
many lace projects in over 40 years. I like the stitch directory
and techniques sections and the fact that there are variations on
the stitches for the projects. Charts are not always easy to
follow, especially when a book closes on itself, it needed to lie
flat. I would much have preferred row by row written
instructions.
*Karen Platt Yarnsandfabrics.co.uk/crafts*
Jan 14 This is one of those rare books which make you feel as if
you are at a serious workshop while retaining a friendliness and
accessibility which is essential for nervous knitters and newbies.
The first section is quite exhaustive. She covers the history of
Shetland lace and story of the sheep breeds on the islands,
complete with stunning photos and a description of arriving on the
plane - 'We bank sharply and lose more height, the runway comes
into view, jutting out into the sea, the rolling waves breaking on
to the tarmac. We land safely.' All the basics are covered, yarn,
needles, knots, reading a chart (a whole page), joining in colours,
picking up stitches, dealing with mistakes and dressing lace
(blocking). Then she starts advancing a little more and branching
out into designing, constructing shapes, charting and putting
motifs together. At this point you're thinking 'this is quite
awesome, a whole page or two on how to chart my pattern, wow'. But
then there are pages on designing with frames, designing a stole, a
scarf and a christening gown. Pretty satisfying. I would definitely
say all my questions about lace were answered in this section. Next
comes the stitch directory which contains around 70 edgings and
traditional Shetland motifs displayed very clearly and knitted in
beautiful yarn in delicious colours. At the end of the book you get
seven patterns to practice your skills, which of course can be
knitted in a different lace pattern to the one shown using the
stitch directory. Overall I would definitely say this is a fabulous
buy if you are a beginner or an intermediate knitter looking for a
new challenge. Lace isn't so difficult, and the only thing you may
struggle with is reading charts but Elizabeth expected this and
solved it with her page on reading charts. She also has full
website details at the back of the book.
*sewingisforgirls.blogspot.com*
Jan 14 The delicate beauty of Shetland lace knitting is conveyed
perfectly here. As you can see from the cover, it's a technique
that produces very intricate patterns, but everyday knitters
shouldn't be put off – if you can knit, purl, cast on and off, you
can master this technique too. Allow Elizabeth to guide you through
your first project, to increasingly more complex ones, with her
easy-to-follow step-by-steps. Before you know it you'll have a
collection of elegant accessories made just by you.
*Knit Today*
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