Top 5 Books for Knitting Lace Techniques

Springtime is upon us (thank goodness!) and that means it’s time to switch up our knitting techniques. We may start to knit more shawls, use thinner yarns, or even do some lace work! I know, I know, knitting lace can definitely be complex at times and may seem daunting to those who have never tried. But fear not, there are plenty of great resources, including a few of my own blog posts, to help you along the way.

Lace has been around for many many years, and like so many things in fashion, everything old is new again. There are some amazing books on traditional lace techniques.

Here are five of my favorite books that cover lace techniques, that I think you’ll appreciate:  

Simply Shetland Lace: 6 Knitted Stitches, 20 Beautiful Projects

This recently released gem by Brooke Nico teaches how to master three classic Shetland lace motifs, as well as 6 simple stitches. The book also includes 20 breathtaking projects to help you learn how to incorporate these techniques. In this book, Brooke shows how just three simple motif (Feather and Fan and Old Shale; Acre and Razor; and Horseshoe and Leaf) can create a number of amazing items, from home décor to fashion accessories.

Knitting Lace: A Workshop with Patterns and Project

Susanna E. Lewis shares 91 motifs in this book, which were taken from a 19th century lace sampler in the Brooklyn Museum. By charting all 91 patterns, Susanna helps you understand how to work through the motif, making this an easier read for lace knitters at all levels. This book also includes full instructions for four laceprojects: socks/stockings, a shawl, a sweater, and a girl’s dress.

Gossamer Webs: The History and Techniques of Orenburg Lace Shawls

Galina Khmeleva made this detailed guide for those of us who adore the history and techniques of creating rare and amazing Russian heirloom 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,” says a customer.

The Magic of Shetland Lace Knitting

Elizabeth Lovick’s The Magic of Shetland Lace Knitting is a perfect read for a transitional knitter, from their first “yarn over” to the more challenging patterns. Elizabeth provides detailed photos of knitted samples, in addition to clear step-by-step instructions for techniques. Included are all the traditional Shetland patterns, Candlelight, Cat’s Paw, Horse Shoe, just to name a few.

Barbara Abbey’s Knitting Lace

This book by Barbara Abbey, is dedicated to lace edgings with background lace and instructions. Anne, a customer, explains that Barbara Abbey’s Knitting Lace has, “More lace than you can imagine: Edgings, some insertions and 10 allover lace patterns. Instead of standard nomenclature, Abbey uses her own unique symbology based on punctuation. (Example: K2, yo, K2tog is written 2,0,/.)”

If you appreciate a good lace knit, don’t hesitate to join the newest video sweater class (on my brand new platform) Gramercy Park.

Want to dip your toe in with a bit of lace? Check out, Roselle Tee, which incorporates a little bit of lace, with a lot of stockinette. It’s a fun project because it’s a reversible design! You can wear the lace in front or back. Dress it up, or dress it down. Come join hundreds of others for the KAL; the pattern is available NOW!