Knitted Lace of Estonia: Techniques, Patterns, and Traditions (Paperback)

by Nancy Bush (Author)
Key Phrases: stitch guide, needles size, leaf center, Nupp Working, Notions Markers, Yarn Fingering (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"If you love fine lace, you certainly will enjoy this new book. The history and patterns are wonderful."  —Knitting News

"For knitters who love lace, Nancy Bush, really skinny yarns and/or eastern Europe."  —knotions online magazine

"How can you not love a book like this? It's got everything. History. Beautiful patterns. Great stitches. Lovely pictures. Good writing."  —KnittingScholar.com

"Everything you need to know to create an authentic lace shawl is included, from knitting a center to knitting a frame; how to connect the two; special techniques for cast-on, bind-off, joining, and more."  —Blogcritics.org

"A beautiful book for any knitter . . . and if you are already a lace lover you definitely need to have this book in your collection." —About.com Guide to Knitting

Product Description

Combining some of the oldest knitted artifacts in Northern Europe with authentic tips and expert advice, this distinctive guidebook demonstrates a wide range of knitting knowledge. Featuring 14 heirloom-quality projects, this savvy reference includes traditional lace-knitting techniques such as the starburst, twig, peacock, and lily of the valley patterns. Modern variations on classic methods and adding lace edges are also explored, and photographs from several Estonian museums beautifully illustrate various completed designs. With accessible graphed and written instructions, the projects include Estonian-style shawls, stoles, and scarves.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Interweave Press (December 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596680539
• ISBN-13: 978-1596680531
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 8.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,790 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #1 in	Books > Home & Garden > Crafts & Hobbies > Lace & Tatting
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Lace, Approachable Resource, Wish There Were More, October 31, 2008

By	Book Fan (California) - See all my reviews

This book is a great addition to Interweave's series of "approachable" knitting technique books, but it is not an exhaustive compendium of advanced techniques. It contains 14 projects and a number of knitting stitch charts for lace shawls and scarves which are typical of Estonian lace knitting, and which span the range from introductory (the Raha scarf) to advanced.

Estonian lace is characterized by a few unique stitch components, such as nupps (knobs of yarn) and nature patterns, including lily of the valley (a graceful arc of nupps). The author seems to have spent much time in Estonia collecting stitch patterns and shawl designs from knitters, decades of magazines, and museums. (I wish this book contained much more of what she found!) The book begins with a brief history of knitting in Estonia, then describes traditional shawl design and techniques that the knitter will need to know.

Next is the pattern section of 5 lacy scarfs and 9 shawls. Each of the designs is based on an actual Estonian shawl (purchased by the author or in a museum collection), or taken from Estonian magazines, or utilizing a documented traditional stitch or pattern, though there have been some reworkings. Only two patterns have been previously published by Interweave: Madli's shawl, from Interweave Knits Summer 2004, and Triangular Summer Shawl, in Piecework July/Aug 2008. Each pattern includes information about where it is from and its history, such as a designs created in honor of the Swedish Crown Price and Greta Garbo.

Finally there is a small stitch dictionary, in charts, of 25 complex body patterns, 11 lacy edgings (none simple, and some complex), and 2 diamond borders. Some of these stitches are variations related to patterns that lace knitting fans already know, but some are completely new (at least to me). Additionally, in most cases, the project patterns themselves have their own charts for (usually) the body and the edging, and these patterns are usually similar to, but not exactly the same as the stitch patterns in the stitch dictionary, so that there are even more stitch pattern charts scattered throughout the text.

I am delighted with what is here, but disappointed that it is not an exhaustive compendium and stitch dictionary. Nevertheless, there is a lot here, carefully described and presented, and to my eye, all the projects look appealing (except maybe the simple Raha scarf). I found the interspersed accounts of Estonian knitters interesting, and greatly appreciate that the author was careful to credit the sources of her patterns and included a bibliography.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning - Lace Lovers Rejoice!, November 13, 2008

By	Tina Martinez (Catskill, NY) - See all my reviews

I will preface this review with the fact that I got to take a class with Nancy Bush on Estonian Lace at SOAR 2008, and what a great preview to the book it was! I got to see these shawls, and shawls like these first hand, so I can say they really are as beautiful in real life, if not more so.

This book really has everything I enjoy in a knitting book, especially one that is based on a particular area or tradition. The front of the book is full of information on the knitted lace traditions of Estonia, informative without being boring or tedious. The tutorials are well designed to make some of the more "advanced" techniques like nupps something to enjoy rather than dread.

The patterns themselves are just gorgeous, ranging in difficulty from easy to quite challenging. My favorites have to be the Queen Sylvia, Madli, and Crown Prince shawls. There are a range of shapes, whether you like stoles, scarves, squares or triangles you'll find something that suits your style and adventure level.

As an added bonus the stitch dictionary and information in the back make designing your own shawl yet another option. The book is worth every penny, both the wow factor and how much knowledge it packs.

Tip from class: If you want a dark colored shawl, try knitting it in white to give your eyes a break and then dyeing it when you're done!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm a knitted lace addict and I l LOVE this book!, November 8, 2008

By	Twinknitter (Nebraska) - See all my reviews

I've been searching for years for the perfect shawl to make my sister and I found it here! These are beautiful patterns and there is something for everyone who loves lace knitting. The book is well written, with both charts and written instructions, and very understandable technique instructions with pictures. The shawls and scarves are shown modeled and with close-up details so it's easy to see how they drape, the size, etc. The added stitch dictionary and instructions on construction make it easy to design and make your own creation if you don't like what's offered. I really appreciate the instructions for the blocking frame. My biggest disappointment is that I have to wait for the yarn I ordered before I can begin knitting! This book is definitely worth the price!