Knitted Lace of Estonia, Book and DVD

While I personally haven’t yet seen a copy of this book, you can be sure that as soon as I do, it will be snatched up just as fast as I can. And if you’re the one holding it, be sure to count your fingers afterwards!

So, this book HAS to be awesome, I mean, a book about knitted lace! And I LOVE cultural patterns, so this fits the bill twice. And now, there’s a DVD featuring the author, Nancy Bush.

This description is directly from Interweave’s site:

Deepen your knowledge of lace knitting with 14 Estonian, heirloom quality lace patterns from Nancy Bush in a new edition of her bestselling book Knitted Lace of Estonia. Now with a bonus 1-hour DVD, Knitted Lace of Estonia will teach you about traditional lace-knitting techniques, such as:

Traditional twig, peacock, and lily of the valley patterns and their variations
Different ways to make the distinctive nupp, or subdued bobble
Modern adaptations of the classic ways of constructing shawls and scarves and adding lace edges
On the new bonus DVD, Nancy explores the knitting traditions of Estonia, as well as offers in-depth instructions for the book’s patterns and techniques, as well as designing an Estonian-style shawl, stole or scarf from beginning to end.

MUST. GET. COPY.

Next Pattern:

When I first started knitting again after a long absence from the craft (which has now been almost 25 years ago!) I really didn’t like garter stitch that much. I found it super boring, somehow even more boring than knitting stockinette stitch in the round, even though it’s exactly the same thing.

Over the years I’ve softened my opinion, and even grown to like garter stitch. There’s nothing wrong with being plain, and actually the texture of garter stitch is more interesting than stockinette.

Also there are fun things you can do with garter stitch to make it more interesting if you want to, such as adding stripes, working on the bias, or doing fun effects to change the look.

That’s the way with the Bernat Twist My Way Garter Knit Blanket. Using combinations of casting on and binding off creates what they call a Swiss cheese effect along two sides of the blanket. This is a lot of fun in the self-striping ombre yarn they chose for the pattern, but it would also be fun in a solid color or making your own stripes.

Despite the dramatic effect, this pattern is rated easy. It’s worked from side to side (if you consider the “cheesy” edges the top and bottom) and has an eight-row repeat that involves binding off and then casting on again to make the holes. They’re kind of like giant buttonholes.

Once you get the hang of it it’s a pretty easy repeat to remember, and it will be smooth knitting as big as you want to make it.

You can download this pattern from the Yarnspirations website for free, or you can buy a kit direct from them that includes the yarn you need (and knitting needles if you need those, too). Bernat Sport Ombre Twist, which is what is used in the pattern, comes in 12 self patterning colors and is a DK weight acrylic yarn.

[Photo: Yarnspirations]

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