Customer Reviews

First Book of Modern Lace Knitting (Dover Knitting, Crochet, Tatting, Lace)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a concise, yet thorough explanation of what the author calls "modern" lace knitting. (She contrasts "modern" with the very elaborate lace of previous centuries.) All of the patterns are stunningly beautiful, and not very difficult (as lace knitting goes). The patterns are primarily for doilies and tablecloths; there is also one set of curtains and a bedspread. They could pretty easily be adapted for other purposes, and she gives some guidelines for doing so. Certainly any of the larger ones could be used for shawls. I highly recommend this gem if you have any interest in lace knitting. (Can't wait to get her second book, too!) Thanks to Dover for continuing to publish these treasures!

I adore this book. It isn't hard to find lace patterns where I live (Europe) We have issues of knitted lace patterns on the newstands everywhere. But these patterns are just, well, WOW. The floral centers of the round knits are much more "realistic" and beautiful than the average doily.

Now, you can make doilies and tablecloths if you like from these patterns, but you can also make them in a fine laceweight wool yarn and have a shawl that is absolutely stunning. The cover picture pattern actually would make an incredible wedding veil/shawl from very fine silk or merino wool yarn. And a baby christening blanket from one of these patterns would become a family heirloom (I've given handknitted gifts to my friends with new babies, and one of them washed the item and shrink-wrapped it so his son will have it when he grows up.)

This is NOT a book for beginners; if you haven't done lace knitting before, you should probably start with another book (I like Martha Waterman's book on lace shawls.) But after you get the hang of knitting lace, this book will feed the lace fever. It is a treasure.

After almost giving up in despair, I found a copy of this book in our local library (pop or 3200) and found myself in lace knitting (or is it knitted lace?) heaven. Explanations are simple and concise, as are both diagrams and charts. I adapted one of the smaller patterns using overlocking thread and size 1.50mm needles and made a 4ft sq tablecloth as my son's wedding gift. It took approx 285 hours, but it was magnificent (even went through MY wedding ring and I'm 5ft! If you can knit, purl, make 1, then this is the book for you to enter the realm of fantasy.

This is NOT a good book for a beginner in Knitted lace.
I am an experienced knitter but have not knitted lace for years - I was once fairly expert, I earned pocket money while a medical student by knitting circular Shetland lace baby shawls to order. Even so, I found this book of little use in getting back into this area.
There are virtually no general instructions and the layout of the patterns is unnecessarily complicated
Try Jan Eaton's book instead

This book is full of beautiful patterns with the great detailing that make lace knitting so enjoyable. Some of the book is not written out line by line, the patterns are adaptable and flexible. If you are looking for a great resource book with patterns that will get your mind working, this is the book for you. If you're wanting straight patterns to follow then you might want to pass this one up for now. Definitely a great addition to any lace knitters library.

This is a collection of exquisite knitted lace designs by Marianne Kinzel. The patterns are in very fine thread lace and mostly use knitting needle sizes around 2.00 mm or finer.

The sizes of the pieces range from doilies to tablecloths and bedspreads and every lace knitter should have this book and Book 2 in her collection.

This book is one of the classics of lace knitting, referred to in many more modern books. I bought it to have it im my collection. The instructions are good especially as there are both chart and 'old fashioned' written instuctions, so that you can check the chart with the traditonal k1, p1 type pattern - useful if you are new to chart reading. But I would consider it a beginners book, as an experience lace knitter, I had to learn a new set of chart marks - time someone set a standard there. The main down side is that the patterns are for household items (chair backs, dressing table sets) that no one uses any longer. Fun to knit if you can find an alternative use such as crocheting them together to make a bedspread.

I was hoping for some information on making large round shawls. There is not much information on that, in this book. Directions are given for mostly rectangular items, with the occasional doily or other small item. The round items given are too small to be adapted for use as shawls; and I'm not skilled enough to determine how to add rounds to a design to enlarge it.

I have literally worn out my first copy and bought a second one as I have loved everything I have made from the patterns. All of which I have given as gifts to special people in my life. The patterns are very challenging and time consuming, but well worth the effort. I think that people who like a challenge would really enjoy it as well.

I asked the lace knitting group I belong to what would be a good book to start with learning lace knitting and many answered,FIRST BOOK OF MODERN LACE KNITTING by Marianne Kinzel.I looked it up on Amazone and found it right away and also found the, SECOND BOOK OF MODERM LACE KNITTING and had to purchase both. Very good books to have if you are just starting out with lace knitting. Iltcrft