Wrapped in Lace: Knitted Heirloom Designs from Around the World

by Margaret Stove

The spectacular knitted lace designs of New Zealand designer Margaret Stove are truly the pinnacle of the craft. In Wrapped in Lace , dive into Margaret's love for learning and creating knitted lace, then begin your own journey to master lace knitting with 12 original patterns. To appreciate the history of knitted lace, follow Margaret's quest to design and knit the legendary "wedding ring shawl"--a large lace shawl so fine and delicate that it can be drawn through a wedding ring. Wrapped in Lace shares the art of designing patterns and the characteristics of lace traditions from around the world. Framed by an engaging narrative of learning to create knitted lace from scratch, Wrapped in Lace describes each set of lace techniques, patterns, and traditions in depth and offers Margaret's spectacular patterns for lace shawls, stoles, and scarves. These projects illustrate knitted lace from the Faroe Islands, Shetland Islands, Orenburg, Estonia, and lace motifs of New Zealand, as well as more contemporary European work. As an added bonus, Wrapped in Lace includes Margaret's tips for preserving, restoring, and remaking knitted lace heirlooms.

Genres: Knitting, Crafts, Nonfiction, Reference, Adult

160 pages, Paperback

First published November 23, 2010

Reviews

[Woollythinker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad book, but not the book I wanted. I was hoping for more details on the various lace traditions; what I found was a very personal account of how the writer herself discovered and worked with each tradition, and the barest hand-waving over what makes each of those traditions unique. There is some useful discussion (although not always clearly explained) of different constructions, but more detail would be nice. The actual shawls are very accomplished but only one or two appeal to me personally. I'll keep looking for a good lace shawl sourcebook.

[Judi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating dive into the world of lace knitting, specifically shawls from different European lace knitting traditions. Original designs from the author for those inspired to create a heirloom and instructions on designing and repairing. If the designs were rated as to difficulty it would make the first time lace knitter more confident in choosing a pattern. I suspect the three scarves at the end would be the least daunting.

[Kirsten Lost 2022 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lovely read, with so much research involved, and I weep that most of these designs will be forever beyond me.

[Tonileg]

Amazing lace knitting collection of patterns with history mixed into this book.
NOT for beginners and you have to have mastered the art of reading charts with hundreds of changing x and o and all sorts of points which just gives me a headache in advance.
Best variety of lace patterns and clear explications, but to crazy for my simple useful style of knitting.
160 pages and borrowed from the library
5 stars

[Tessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The knitting patterns themselves are rivaled by the superb research into lace knitting (and knitted lace). I want to make all the projects, but even more than that I want to become a lace knitting expert.

Also the insight into the knitting culture of New Zealand was very interesting. It makes sense when you hear about all those sheep.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't knit any of the patterns, but read every word.
Fascinating, if you can get over the condescension of the author. In fact, about halfway through, she starts to become endearing (if terribly particular about the traditional ways).

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has some very nice patterns with clear charts and instructions.

You won't find eye-candy, you will find a sampling of traditional lace from a variety of areas. It's a good beginning to delve into the construction of different shawl shapes.

[Mollie *scoutrmom* · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had written a long and involved review of this, which vanished into cyberspace while I was checking a link. Don't you hate when that happens?

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting history and great patterns. Most of them don't appeal to me particularly, but they're still wonderful.

[HadiDee]

Beautiful collection but very intimidating for a beginner.