Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Review: New Lace Knitting

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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.

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?

Pencil Knitting Patterns

Getting ready for back to school makes me think about pencil crafts, so let’s take a look at some pencil themed knitting patterns! 

I recently made a pencil on a circular knitting machine, and it was a fun, quick, easy project that uses little bits of leftover yarn (and if you don’t have yellow you can make it a colored pencil using whatever color’s your favorite). And if you want to make a bigger version check out this pattern from Orange Olive Road on Etsy.

If you want to knit a pencil pillow by hand, check out Sketchy, available on Ravelry from Shana S. Cohen. This one uses worsted weight yarn and has two size options and the choice to make a pencil with an eraser or a colored pencil. 

Pencil scarves seem to be the most popular kind of pencil knitting pattern, and there are lot of cute ones. This one from Cosy Craft UK mostly uses garter stitch, with some welts to add texture and what looks like an I-cord edging. It calls for DK weight yarn. 

If you want to go all garter stitch try this version from Emsley Co Creations, which uses five colors of DK weight yarn and just a little shaping to make the point of the pencil.

There’s also this fun, mostly stockinette so it looks like it curls a bit, pencil pattern that looks like it’s worked in chunky yarn from Little Knits Studio. This one uses just a little garter stitch and easy shaping for the point. 

If you don’t want a pencil scarf, how about some pencil socks? The No. 2 Pencil Socks from The Yarn Enabler are available from Ravelry and use five colors of sock yarn. They feature wide ribs to mimic the texture of a pencil and have options to be worked from the top down or the toe up. 

Needs Sharpening by Alexander Walker is a free pattern on Ravelry that uses five colors of sock yarn to make a sort of shortie sock. The little bit of black at the tips of the toes inspired the name. These, too, can be worked in either direction and are available in three sizes.