Knitting

Patterns, projects and techniques

Review: New Lace Knitting

by

new lace kntiting book reviewI have a strange relationship with lace. I like the idea of lace knitting, I love the look of a lot of it, and yet I resolved long ago that my lifestyle is not that of a person who knits or wears a lot of lace. I don’t have the patience for complicated patterns, long repeats or the seemingly unending length of time an intricate lace knitting project would require.

Yet I still love the idea that you can make shapes with holes, and I can get behind using lace as an accent on projects (and though completely unrelated to knitting I just today bought two shirts featuring lace trim).

If you like the look and the idea of lace but maybe not so much the traditional patterns like giant lace shawls that take forever to knit, check out Rosemary (Romi) Hill’s book New Lace Knitting: Designs for Wide Open Spaces.

In it, she looks at some traditional lace motifs like waves, leaves and diamonds and uses them in different ways, sometimes enlarging or editing the pattern, other times leaving it like the original. The motifs are then used on tops, sweaters, cowls, shawls, hats and other projects.

These designs are pretty and often a great way to use a little bit of lace to great effect (though there are some larger, detailed and more advanced patterns here, too). A couple of my favorites include the sweater on the cover, called the Manzanita Tee, featuring a chevron lave pattern on the yoke and picot edgings; the Hope Valley Flounce, a knit denim skirt; and the Crystal bay Shawl, which uses a Print o’ the Wave edging on an otherwise Garter Stitch shawl.

You can check out all the patterns on Ravelry. You’ll also love Romi’s rules for lace knitting, which are important for new lace knitters and those with experience.

This is a fun book for people who like lace but who maybe don’t want another lacy shawl (though there are some of those here, too) or who want to knit a project that’s a little different from traditional lace. If you’ve looked at this book or knit anything from it, I’d love to know what you think!

About the book: 168 pages, paperback, 19 patterns (no skill levels given, but some knowledge of lace knitting is helpful, garments have between five and seven sizes). Published by Interweave/F+W, September 2015. Suggested retail $24.99.

Next Pattern:

Comments

  1. I really love his book, but haven’t purchased it yet. I like to knit (and wear) lace garments… During the past couple of years I have made a number of lace tops (with sleeves) to wear during the summer over a tank. I think it’s a good modest look with a little glamour. Like the top on the cover, it’s pretty and feminine even if you’re wearing it with capris.

Have you read?

Textured Baby Blanket Knitting Patterns

There are so many baby blanket knitting patterns out there I could probably do a post a month full of them and not run out for a very long time. This time I thought I’d look specifically at single color baby blankets that are interesting because of the inclusion of textured stitching. This makes them easy enough for new knitters but engaging for knitters of all skill levels. 

Take the Textured Checks Baby Blanket from Janet Dubbelman for example. This project is mostly stockinette stitch, with some what looks like reverse stockinette and garter stitch thrown in to make the ridges. You can use whatever yarn weight you like to make blankets of different sizes. Find the pattern on Ravelry. 

The Seedling from Modern Made Shop is just about as easy as it comes, combining seed stitch with a garter stitch border. It calls for worsted weight yarn and is perfect for beginners. 

The Julie Baby Blanket by Elisabeth Kristiansen is another one with an easy allover stitch pattern that you can knit up in a flash in whatever size you want. (The pattern notes say any gauge but it also says 28 stitches per 4 inches, which would be a superfine or fine weight yarn. Learn more on Ravelry. 

The Oscar Baby Blanket from Snufflebean is another one with an easy repeating stitch pattern that has a really fun, graphic effect. This is also great worked in a bright color, reminding us that babies don’t have to be in pastels! This one uses DK weight yarn. 

If you want to get a little fancier, check out Sammy Bristow’s Georges Blanket. This one alternates blocks of stockinette stitch with boats and anchors made by purling on the right side of the blanket. It calls for DK weight yarn and has multiple sizes for dolls through toddlers. Check it out on Ravelry.

Another cute texture is this heart blanket with diamonds that are a little reminiscent of argyle. Yarn Sonata Patterns has this one, which is worked in DK weight yarn and comes in four sizes. It includes a chart and row by row instructions. 

Or try the pretty Seton Portage baby blanket from Knitted Wishes, which has a border of trees and textured stitches that look like snow falling. The pattern includes different options for snowflakes and doing a mirror image of the trees on each end of the blanket. It’s worked in worsted weight yarn. This one includes charts, written instructions and video tutorials for special stitches.