A Gathering of Lace

I almost didn't purchase this book, because I decided the Victorian Lace book was probably more of what I expected a book on lace to be. Then one of the anesthesiologists I work with said she had it and enjoyed it very much. I now have both this book by Meg Swansen and Victorian Lace Today by Jane Sowerby and enjoy them both for different reasons. Victorian Lace has some of the most magnificent lace shawls I've ever seen in my life, but that's all it features. Its variety comes from the uniqueness of its many lace designs and the gradual increase in their complexity from beginner to advanced level. It also discusses the Victorian period and its lace designers. These patterns are stunning, and their character suggests a "special occasion," lace made for a bride, for a new baby, for a new Mom, in short for significant events. Ms Sowerby's book provides patterns which are "lace" as most people probably think of it, very open, airy fabric. Ms Swansen's book, on the other hand, while it presents shawls, features a far greater variety of pattern types. The author of the Gathering of Lace has included patterns for lace gloves (a cold weather type, not an "occasion" type), several very nice sweaters (including a tunic I really have to give a try) a delightful spring hat (which I also want to do) a tam, a clever sachet, a christening grown, and probably the nicest purse I've seen featured in knitting or crocheting books. (They all seem to have to have them these days, but they are not all created equal by any means.) While the lace in Victorian Lace seems much more ethereal, most of the lace products in the Gathering of Lace, even the shawls, are more sturdy fabrics with a denser, less open character to their designs. They are lace by virtue of their technique, a lace technique--yarn-overs, slipped stiches, pass-overs, etc.--which creates openings in the overall knitted fabric. These are practical items, items intended to be used and enjoyed on a daily basis, not used once and kept carefully packed away and treasured. The photos of both books were done by the same photographer and feature a similar venue, similar poses for the models, and similar displays of the lace, especially the shawls. The settings are gorgeous, and the choice of display enhances the lace incredibly well. If it was he who designed the format that the photo displays would have, he did a splendid job. Both books are visually appealing, nice even if even if you don't intend to make the lace, just enjoy the book. Very nice. It would be difficult to decide between the two, which is probably why I have both. Those on a tighter book buying budget than I would probably do well to decide what they want from their lace work before they chose which of them to purchase.

I have to differ with the previous reviewer on a number of points. I'm a knitter of over 15 years experience, both for my own pleasure and for others on a commision basis. The size of my knitting library is the bane of husband's existence. This book is, without a doubt, one of the most delightful I have ever purchased. There are at least 5 projects that I am rumaging through my yarn stash to start. The photography (by Alexis Xenakis of Knitter's Magazine fame)manages to be both beautiful enough to be called art, and illustative enough to be a real aid in knitting the project.Projects range from beginner's projects with instructions that are extremely user-friendly and will help the knitter enter into lace knitting with confidence to more advanced projects that will provide the more advanced knitter with a happy challenge (due to their intricate nature, *not* due to difficulties in the instructions, which seem very clear and complete, including charting).As for lack of originality: did you see that coracle!!!! (Yes, a knitted boat). Or the hat. Or the beauty of so many of the projects compared to the rather humdrum offerings that are being called lace knitting today.Definitely a book that deserves to be in your library, if only for inspiration (though there are some smaller projects such as gloves, hats, and purses that even the most time-challenged person can squeeze in). It's taken up semi-permanent residence on my night-table.

This fab book has been in my hot, sweaty hands for just a few days. I flip from section to section, feverishly, wanting to know it all at once. Anywhere I flip I'm sucked into the page. I'm a lace-junkie trying to sniff it all in at once. The photography is divine--even the endpapers are lovely photos.And to finally see Liesl's shawl that we watched grow effortlessly from Meg's needles at her knitting camp several years ago, is such a beauty. Debbie New's lacy coracle/boat is a riot--of an idea and of laces and colors. That's thinking outside the box--or inside the boat--in this case. How did Robert Powell get the lettering "a rose is a rose" to fit and be so easy to read completely encircling the center rose of his magnificent shawl? It's in there. His two-stitch decrease that is perfectly symetrical is such a boon; and his color-change technique is brilliant. The knitting directions are so easy to read--clear charts/directions and often more than one photo of the article should make an easy knit. The range of difficulty is from easy to advanced, with a variety of items from socks to gloves to hats and boats! and artist Katherine Cobey's whimsical coat from strips cut from plastic bags that looks like it could cover a bridal gown. So many choices.The title could be also: A Gathering Of Delightful Knitters so rich is the collection of knitting artists. I think Meg's mom (the incomparable Elizabeth Zimmermann)is 'knitting' up this grand community of craftspeople/artists from beyond the veil--knitted, of course. It's a wonderfully rich book and a 'must have' reference on lace knitting & knitted lace.

Yes, it's finally here! And, it is well worth the wait. This is a beautiful and BIG book - coffee table size and 174 pages.The most astounding thing about this book is the amazing range of projects offered within the theme of lace. Just among the shawls offered there are: 3 triangles, 2 rectangles, 8 circles, 2 faroese and 3 squares. Then there are garments ranging from shrugs and tunics (6) to socks (3) and a christening gown. Then, just for grins, is Debbie New's lace boat (I kid you not!)As for the skill levels required, there are a few projects for solid beginners. (The actual knitting of lace isn't difficult -- it's the keeping track of where you are in the pattern that is the trick.) Most of the projects are best suited to knitters with some experience with lace. Beyond the patterns, there's a good techniques section in the introduction. There's also a gallery of lace projects where the designer doesn't have a written pattern available but it has some fun ideas (including the boat). There's also a section with a message from each designer. The book concludes with a section about the making of the book - coordinating 30 designers, photographing garments on several continents (and the photos are stunning). What a project for Meg Swansen to coordinate.Bottom line -- a gorgeous book of patterns but with enough technique and design that you can use it as a reference too.

More than one knitter has been bitten by the lace bug. With a few basic stitches and proper techniques, you can go from a plain looking thin yarn to a garment that is a work of art, with lace leaves, flowers, insects, and waves of edgings like ocean foam. This book not only has patterns for shawls and scarves (typical lace projects) but also gloves and socks! Best of all, it teaches all-important techniques such as choosing the right yarn, the right sized needles for the yarn and blocking--stretching the lace project when completed. When you are initiated into these secrets, you will be able to make lace knits that are the stuff of legends.