With 16 new designs to offer, ‘Lace Knits’, the latest book from Yorkshire knitwear designer, Ann Kingstone, is quite a substantial pattern book.
From the moment you pick the weighty text up, you immediately feel as if you’re getting your money’s worth. That’s in part thanks to the whole chapter entitled ‘Magical Methods for Openwork Knitting’ which Ann has included as a handy guide that you can refer to as you attempt the designs.
If openwork knitting is something you try to avoid or one of those things you have attempted but seem to always end up with holes in the wrong places, then ‘Lace Knits’ is the book for you.
To the inexperienced knitter (and even to some experienced ones) reading a lace chart or written instructions can seem like a complex and frustrating task, particularly when the finished patterns look so intricate, delicate and detailed.
For me, lace knitting has to be one of my favourite techniques, not because I like to end my day by tearing my hair out and cursing at my own inept abilities, but because I love vintage patterns of a bygone era – something to which lace designs naturally lend themselves to.
Not so long ago I was daunted by lace knitting too but I would spend hours looking at such beautiful designs that the desire to complete at least one of them outweighed my fear of getting it wrong. After all, knitting generally is trial and error and no matter how long you’ve been knitting, there’s always something new to learn.
But if I had had Ann’s book back then, I may have avoided many mistakes and hours of frogging and re-knitting as I muddled my way through.
Not only does she cover different lace stitches but Ann also shows you how to use lifelines, add beads, different cast on and off methods, wrap and turn, magic loop and much more besides – as a reference book ‘Lace Knitting’ really is invaluable.
The designs themselves are very classic and include cardigans, shawls, jumpers, a stole and smaller items such as fingerless gloves, a hat, a headband and even socks!
There really is something for everyone and enough so that you can start with a small project and work your way up as your confidence in lace knitting builds.
Ann’s written instructions and charts are very clear and easy to follow. The only problem you’ll have is deciding which pattern to knit first!
