Customer Reviews

Heirloom Knitting

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you want to knit Shetland Lace and like to design your own patterns, buy this expensive book and forgo the others. This book is the bible of Shetland lace knitting. Finally, a good explanation and comparison between "knitted lace" and "lace knitting". This book is so good, I sometimes peruse it while eating breakfast.

Directed to somewhat experienced knitters, this book is a jewel. All the main patterns in Shetland lace are covered, providing detailed instructions and CHARTS! The various techniques are explained with clear pictures, and there are very useful tips scattered around the book. Not many patterns for complete projects, but the goal is to teach the readers to make their own.

I gulped when I first saw the price of this book, but I took the plunge and I am delighted to have it. While Sharon Miller gives you some written instructions for shawls, she gives you many options so you can design and make your own shawl. I have been knitting for over 60 years and feel confident of my abilities, but Sharon is teaching me some new skills and I love it. I recommend this book heartily.

I have to say that I really enjoyed this book. I had always seen Shetland Lace before and didn't know where I could get my hands on something that would teach me HOW to do it.

There is a difference between "knitted lace" and "lace knitting": knitted lace is Shetland Lace--patterning on every row; lace knitting is everything else that alternates between plain and patterned rows, ie those simple, visually unappealing designs that Interweave, Knitty, etc put out!

This book is a great place to start. There are many wonderful and challenging patterns that she lists that a knitter could use to create her own bit of Shetland Lace. She also explains the different pieces--stoles, triangular, circular, and square shawls--construction and gives you info on how you can create an organic shawl of your own.

The reason I gave it 4 out of 5 is because I really am not too impressed with the designs in the design collection at the back of the book. I didn't find but ONE pattern--The Unst Stole--that was attractive. Maybe other knitters would also like the Christening Robe but I didn't even favor that!

Also, Mrs. Miller has this funky rating system that she uses to instruct a knitter about how challening the patterns or designs are. It seems to me that she is overly cautious an rates VERY EASY patterns "difficult" when they really aren't. It's the dumbing down of the whole learning process that really bugs me! Take it from this 19-year-old, they are NOT hard!

But regardless of these, I recommend that any knitter who wants to try her hand out at Shetland Lace, GET THIS BOOK! You will be able to create your own one of a kind designs with her tips. After seeing the Shetland lace, you will NEVER want to knit simple St st lace again!

This book is an excellent, comprehensive guide to Shetland lace knitting and essential addition to a knitter's library. I have over 20 years experience knitting mostly less complicated knit/purl patterns for projects such as hats, scarves and afghans, as well as many sweaters with cable and aran patterns. I yearned to create one of those beautiful, flowing lace shawls I'd seen in pictures, but hadn't felt confident enough to venture into lace, until now. With this book, an experienced knitter has all the information they need to create an heirloom-quality garment from their own unique vision. I, too, gulped when I saw the price, but now having read it and created my first beautiful lace scarf, I am satisfied that it was well worth purchasing.

Do you like knitted lace? Does knitting lace make your heart beat faster? Do you drool over Wedding ring shawls?

This may well be the book for you.

It's not full simply of patterns for shawls and such that you can knit (though it has them). No, this is a complete compendium of Shetland Lace. And when I say "complete" I really mean complete. Exhaustive, in fact. If you have a question about Shetland lace chances are the answer is in this book.

Sharon Miller starts off with a history of lace knitting in the Shetland isles, and then moves into technical details about knitting techniques (cast-ons, yarn joins, and the like). Next comes stitch patterns. Dozens of lace patterns, sorted by type (centers, borders, edgings) and difficulty. This alone makes this a great resource.

But wait, there's more! (As they say) The next section is a thorough, detailed examination of how these shawls (and other lace garments) are put together. The proportions, the construction, how to handle the designs at the corners. Everything. And then this is folowed by a collection of her own designs, which are always fabulous. Not just shawls, but christening gowns and lace edgings.

Oh, this is beautiful stuff.

Now, it must be said that most of the illustrations are in black and white, but this doesn't hurt the book at all, since most of the illustrations are showing off the LACE, and that's most easily done by white-on-black photographs. There are some color photos, though, if that's important to you. The index is thorough, the details are incredible.

I think this is the most expensive book I have in my library. But I will also tell you that this is one book I will NOT give up. It's fantastic. The lace is inspiring, the patterns exquisite. It's worth every penny.

While I don't think the actual patterns in the book are the best examples of Shetland Lace I personally have encountered (I'm actually pretty "meh" about them to be honest...), this book is wonderful if you want to create your own piece of shetland lace. Sharon Miller provides extensive stitch patterns (for centers, borders, and edgings) and techniques for creating a rectangular, circular, triangular, or square shawl. She also includes information about wool, blocking, and a little bit of the history of Shetland Lace.

It's a good book and I believe every lace knitter, even if she is currently intimdated by true knitted lace, will enjoy owning a copy.

Sharon Miller has authored *the* comprehensive guide to lace patterns of the Shetland Isles. Part stitch dictionary, part pattern book, this book is an anthology of individual motifs, clearly charted, with specific guidance on how to combine motifs, borders, and edgings to compose your own unique Shetland lace projects. Miller provides complete patterns for a series of lace projects ranging from relatively simple to complex (Unst Lace Shawl). If you can have only one Shetland lace book in your personal library, make it this one.

This is a great book if you are interested in learning how to do Shetland knitting. The history of Shetland knitting and of wool production from sheep to marketing the final product is an added plus.

I didn't buy this book because I wanted to knit something to wear. I bought it, because I like a challenge in knitting. A difficult pattern pushes me to expand my knitting skills.

Heirloom Knitting is a magnificent book. The instructions & tips are beyond comprehensive! The lace projects are exquisite - hard to choose which one to knit first.

If you like knitting lace, this book is a must-have. I will keep it in my library forever. I give it 5 stars +!