Knitted Lace of Estonia: Techniques, Patterns, and Traditions - Softcover

Jan 09 Nancy Bush revisits hallowed creative ground for this beautifully in-depth treatise on the lace masterpieces of her beloved Estonia. She starts with a history section, tracing Estonian lace from its origins as a cottage industry into a world-renowned art form. Then, a primer on knitting intricate "Haapsalu Sall" - center pattern, frame, scalloped edging - with special attention to the bobblelike nupps scattered liberally throughout and, also, to blocking properly on a frame. Then, the patterns: 14 of them, each one a marvel, several adapted from the influential Estonian magazine Triinu. They're rectangular and triangular, short and narrow, long and wide; with diamonds that intersect like figure eights, peacock tails and regal patterns named for Swedish royalty of yore. Finally, a stitch glossary of popular Estonian lace schemes, from leaf and twig to lilly of the valley to the hearty "Greta Garbo." Lovely. * Yarn Market News * June 09 Estonian lace designs are well known to be among the most beautiful and delicate of all, and this book covers the best traditional designs. The projects are all for shawls and scarves, but there's also a directory of Estonian lace stitches which you could use for any design of your own. The book also explains the rich history of Estonian lace knitting. * AllAboutYou.com * May 09 This has to be one of the most beautiful books featuring knitted lace that has ever been published. I love it. The first chapter describes the history of the remarkable Estonian lace knitters covering 14 pages. Following this there are 14 lace patterns for scarves and stoles which use some amazingly lovely lace stitches. Estonian lace is unique in that the patterns are not found in English knitted lace, but are complex, fragile, feminine and very up-to-date. There are stunning designs and borders. Also included are hints for designing your own lacy items. There are plenty of superb fine yarns in the shops and on the web, and these come in a huge variety of colours and yarn types. They have become very popular indeed since the book 'Victorian Lace for Today' hit the bookshops a couple of years ago. Fine yarn and large needles create beautiful flowing projects which can be made by any knitter with some experience. The photography is excellent and the instructions are given in abundance. These are not written, but are given in chart form which many people favour. The more 'difficult' stitches are shown in diagram form and although a challenge are clearly represented. I can find no faults with this book and being a lace knitter myself highly recommend it to anyone wanting something different and challenging. If I had to sum up the book in a few words they would be BEAUTIFUL BOOK - BUY IT AND TRY IT -You will not be disappointed. * Jenny Lewis *

From Estonian knitting authority Nancy Bush comes a new classic, Knitted Lace of Estonia. Knitters will deepen their knowledge of knitting in Estonia, home to some of the oldest knitted artifacts in northern Europe-particularly mittens, gloves, and socks-where the craft has played a major role in customs and traditions for hundreds of years. Learn about traditional lace-knitting techniques, including the traditional starburst, twig, peacock, and lily of the valley patterns and their variations; different ways to make the distinctive nupp, or subdued bobble; as well as modern adaptations of the classic ways of constructing shawls and scarves and adding lace edges. Technique chapters will include information about traditional Estonian lace knitting as well as modern adaptations of the classic ways of constructing shawls and scarves and adding lace edges. Photographs from several Estonian museums and from the author's own collection of modern knitted shawls are used as source material for patterns and construction techniques. A chapter includes dozens of Estonian lace patterns, with both graphed and written instructions, so they are easily understandable to readers. Instructions for fourteen heirloom-quality projects to knit are included: scarves and shawls in square, rectangular, and triangular shapes; some with added edgings, some without. The text covers instructions for interchanging patterns and designing an Estonian-style shawl, stole or scarf from beginning to end. Tips and techniques used in Estonia are included and augmented with expert advice from the author.