Arctic Lace: Knitting Projects and Stories Inspired by Alaska's Native Knitters [Paperback]

Donna Druchunas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 29, 2006

Qiviut, or musk ox down, is a world-class fiber—luxurious, warm, and lightweight. People who experience it become obsessed. Qiviut makes perfect hand-knitted lace, as demonstrated by the Alaskan artisans of Oomingmak Musk Ox Producers' Co-op. This book presents how-tos for knitting and designing lace, projects suited to new as well as experienced lace knitters, yarn sources, and comprehensive cultural background.

Editorial Reviews

Review

I was so sucked in to reading this book that it went everywhere with me until I was finished. -- Jillian Moreno in Knitty.com Winter 2006

Overall, this book is an excellent resource . . . suited to both the beginner and experienced knitter. -- Janel Laidman, Spindlicity, Winter 2006

[A]t once a history and present-day virtual tour . . . -- Library Journal, December 1, 2006

[T]his book has something for everyone. It is clearly written and accessible to fiber artists of all levels. -- Miriam Felton in Spin-Off, Winter 2006

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Nomad Press (August 29, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966828976
• ISBN-13: 978-0966828979
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.5 x 10.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #633,430 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #90 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Crafts & Hobbies > Needlecrafts & Textile Crafts > Lace & Tatting

More About the Author

Donna Druchunas escaped a corporate cubicle to honor her passions for knitting, world travel, research, and writing. She is the author of six knitting books including Arctic Lace, Successful Lace Knitting, Kitty Knits, and Ethnic Knitting Exploration: Lithuania, Iceland, and Ireland. Donna has just finished writing a book about knitting in Lithuania. She lives in Colorado with her husband, mother, and three cats who all help her test the usability and comfort of her finished knitted items.

Website: http://www.sheeptoshawl.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DonnaDruchunas

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

63 of 64 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Not Your Typical Knitting Book September 24, 2006

By Kristi Mickelson

Format:Paperback

ARCTIC LACE is not your typical knitting book. Not only does it provide an array of native alaskan designs for every knitting level, it also offers easy to follow tutorials with templates for designing your own unique lace projects.

This beautiful book is brimming with photos and stories that depict the rich history and traditions which give insight into the unusual world of alaskan knitters.

The author provides interesting information about the history and use of qiviut, the exquisitely soft, lightweight, but warm fiber from a most unusual source, musk oxen.

I highly recommend this book for all knitters who are interested in the diverse and rich historical aspects of this craft.

46 of 46 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars lovely engrossing history...very basic lace November 16, 2006

By Quickbeam VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I really enjoy this book. It is a unique and fascinating look at handwork in a part of the world I know little about. The lace patterns are sweet but VERY basic so if you were thinking that you would advance in your lacework, you won't get that from this book. I also felt that some color photos would have punched up the book an awful lot.

The north star tam is a unique pattern and if you are a hat knitter,this book is worth it for that alone. I was quite impressed that the author bothered to show the hat in both a conventional wool and qiviut. Nice touch!

Don't be put off by the qiviut discussion...the author handles this well and these designs can be worked up in fingering or laceweight yarns easily.

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Unique and enthusiastically recommended October 6, 2006

By Midwest Book Review

Format:Paperback

Donna Druchunas is an expert knitwear designer whose work has been showcased in Family Circle, Easy Knitting, Interweave Knits, PieceWork, Knitter's, INKnitter's, and Fiber Focus magazines. In "Arctic Lace: Knitted Projects And Stories Inspired By Alaska's Native Knitters", Donna has created a 192-page, single-volume workshop on knitting and designing lace with an Inuit flair. In addition to the fifteen individual "user friendly" projects provided with careful step-by-step instructions, "Arctic Lace" is enhanced with 171 b/w photographs, 91 b/w illustrations, 28 tables, 11 sidebars, an extensive bibliography, and a comprehensive index. These projects are adaptable to any yarn and demonstrate to even the most novice needlecrafter just how to make the most of luxury fibers. There is even extensive background information on the natural history of musk oxen, conservation efforts, and the fiber quality and use of their fur which is the source of Qiviut (or musk ox down), felt by many to be the world's warmest, lightest-weight fiber and a mainstay of Alaska's native knitters. "Arctic Lace" is a unique and enthusiastically recommended addition to any dedicated needlecrafter's reference collection.