The Lacy Knitting of Mary Schiffmann (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Mary Schiffmann (1908-96) was an indefatigable collector of lace patterns for knitting. Such was her enthusiasm that she once purchased plastic doilies pressed from knitted lace originals and managed to decipher instructions for re-creating the originals in cotton thread. She was also a cofounder of the Lacy Knitters, a national group working to promote the preservation and cataloging of old knitted lace patterns. This book offers both her reminiscences on her work and a collection of her patterns and teaching notes. Patterns include a photograph of each item plus written and charted directions. Highly recommended for textile collections and public libraries.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

You'll appreciate this book for its great projects and its great reading. A founding member of the Lacy Knitters guild, Mary Schiffmann was a tireless collector of lace patterns and a delightful storyteller about her life and craft. Nancy Nehring has lovingly collected Mary's legacy, patterns ranging from simple edgings to an elaborate christening gown, and accounts of her life starting with her birth to missionaries in Japan and following her long life of lacy knitting in America.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Interweave Press; illustrated edition edition (May 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 188301042X
• ISBN-13: 978-1883010423
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 8.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #373,994 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

80 of 81 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy This Lace Knitting Book First, January 21, 2000

By A Customer

I highly recommend this book as either a first lace knitting book or to add to a collection because it is both helpful and beautiful. I have purchased other lace knitting books but because of their complexity I had never used them to produce a piece of lace. The author of this book, Mary Shiffmann, taught lace knitting and includes in the book a list of projects designed to help novice lace knitters develop their skills. I was able to pick up this book and without other help teach myself to knit lace. Also helpful is that all the patterns are charted. The book is an interesting mix of the author's personal history, discussions about lace, and lessons. It also contains an excellent variety of patterns (from easy to complex), projects and suggestions. I plan on working my way through many of the patterns.

The book has an artful approach that shows the beauty of hand knitted lace.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Very few projects , August 6, 2005

By	Shelly B. Thompson "lace knitter" (Torrance, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The cover is deceptive in that it shows several lace doilies, but what you see on the cover is what you get in the book. Most of the stitch patterns are found in most pattern books. The only part of the book that is truly unique for the experienced lace knitter is the few lace edging patterns. Not worth 17.95 for those few patterns.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Lacy Knitting of Mary Schiffmann, April 6, 2005

By	Scottish Gypsy "lisa_knits" (Stow, OH USA) - See all my reviews

This book is very well put together. I have been knitting for 20 years and love the patterns in this book. There are a number of advanced patterns for more experienced knitters, something difficult to find these days, and a number of simpler patterns for novice knitters. I only wish it had more patterns and hope that they will come out with a second book.