Gossamer Webs: The History and Techniques of Orenburg Lace Shawls

This book is extremely detailed in the art of knitting Orenburg Shawls. There are charts for basic patterns used in the traditional shawls and at the back a full shawl is charted for practice knitting Orenburg Lace. There is even a small sampler shawl you can knit to learn the techniques of the full sized ones. A great book, necessary for any lace knitter.

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.

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

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.