Gossamer Webs: The History and Techniques of Orenburg Lace Shawls [Paperback]

Galina Khmeleva (Author), Carol R. Noble (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1998

Readers are led step-by-step through the history and techniques of creating beautiful and rare Russian heirloom shawls with this detailed guide.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Khmeleva, who teaches Orenburg lace-knitting workshops in the United States, here chronicles the history of the fine gossamer shawls produced by knitters in the steppes of the southern Ural mountain range. The books primary focus is on shawl design, planning, and knitting, as the authors lead the reader through a sample miniature shawl. A charted stitch and border dictionary and instructions for a full-sized Eastern Star gossamer shawl are provided for those who wish to create one. Interviews with shawl knitters and the details of a shawl-buying party the authors attended at the home of a Muslim Tatar family in Orenburg make particularly fascinating reading. Recommended for large public libraries and textile collections.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Galina Khmeleva is the author of The Gossamer Webs Design Collection. Carol R. Noble is the author of Style at Large: Knitting Designs for Real Women.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Interweave Press (November 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1883010411
• ISBN-13: 978-1883010416
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #126,716 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful introduction to a neglected regional craft, May 24, 1999

By A Customer

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This review is from: Gossamer Webs: The History and Techniques of Orenburg Lace Shawls (Paperback)

While all lace knitters are familiar with Shetland lace, this book will take you to less familiar territory and introduce you to women who have been carrying on the tradition of glorious lace for a few hundred years.

While as much an introduction to the microculture of Orenburg knitters than a "how-to", the authors nevertheless succeed in stirring the creative juices with page after page of pictures of absolutely gorgeous shawls. Some directions are written out, some are in chart form. Recommended for the experienced lace knitter.

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars great, but sometimes stumbles, April 15, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Gossamer Webs: The History and Techniques of Orenburg Lace Shawls (Paperback)

My problem with the book is pretty small. For the most part I think it is a very beautiful and special book. The shawls are beautiful and the text is interesting. My only problem is that the instructions for the full-size shawl are a little iffy in points, like telling you to knit in the "corner stitch" without once ever explaining this maneuver. Mostly a beautiful book, though

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Shawls that weigh 80 grams and look like fairy wings, January 28, 2001

By 

Joanna Daneman (Middletown, DE USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Gossamer Webs: The History and Techniques of Orenburg Lace Shawls (Paperback)

There are directions here to knit Orenburg-style shawls, but unless you are an experienced knitter, you may find that the instructions are a bit frustrating. Orenburg shawls look a lot like Shetland cobweb lace shawls (but which came first? Orenburg shawls are mentioned in writing at least back to the beginning of the 18th Century.) The technique starts with an edging, then corners are turned and the body of the lace shawl is knitted together with the side edging.

The best part of this book is the history and story of the life of the Orenburg knitters, who even today support their families by knitting gorgeous works of art out of handspun silky mohair yarn. This book is a must if you are a lace knitter.