Successful Lace Knitting: Celebrating the Work of Dorothy Reade

by Donna Druchunas

This book presents not only a beautiful collection of patterns but also a fascinating biography of Dorothy Reade, arguably the mother of modern lace knitting. It's a must-have for any knitter who appreciates lace! Discover techniques and patterns developed by Reade in the 1960s as you create gorgeous projects featuring completely modern designs.

Genres: Knitting, Crafts, Nonfiction

112 pages, Paperback

First published May 10, 2010

About the author

I grew up learning many different crafts from my mother and grandmothers including knitting, crochet, rug-hooking, embroidery, and sewing.

After a 25 year vacation from crafts, I started knitting again and learned to spin and dye wool with natural dyes.

Before I returned to knitting, I spent almost 20 years working in corporate cubicles as a writer, designer, and creative services manager. My cubes were in military training facilities, small businesses, and large corporations. During that time, I wrote and designed marketing materials, training courses and technical manuals for many types of hardware and software products.

I also streamlined documentation production processes for several companies. I was recruited by Fujitsu-ICL Systems and Hewlett-Packard's Colorado storage division to establish in-house creative services departments and to implement procedures based on systems I originated earlier for the US Navy Fighter Weapons School at NAS Miramar and Pyxis Corporation in San Diego.

After all that time, I rebelled and left my cubicle behind to combine my interest in knitting with my skill at writing easy-to-follow instructions. My designs and articles have been featured in Family Circle Easy Knitting, Knitters, Piecework, Interweave Knits, Fibre Focus, and INKnitters magazines, and I design patterns for several yarn companies.

I was born in New York City, but today
I live at the foothills of the Colorado
Rocky Mountains with my husband and
two cats, who are very helpful when it
comes to testing new knitting designs!

Reviews

[Julie]

A friend in my knitting group mentioned that she had read this book and that Dorothy Reade's story was fascinating. I agree, and I enjoyed learning about her. Several of the accompanying patterns were beautiful, but I don't think I will knit any of them.

The book is definitely worth reading simply for this piece of knitting history that isn't well known.

[Heywu]

1pattern. Lace and colorwork wimple

[Marilyn]

Extensive history of Dorothy Reade and charting as well as lots of beautiful patterns. IF you like to knit lace, you will want this book.

[Mckinley]

Helpful, not really any lace projects I want to do.