kitty: homework.... Lace Stitch inspiration books

If some of you haven't guessed I have a knitting book obsession. Or to be more honest a book obsession. No surprising for someone who use to own a used book aggregated site on the internet for 8 years. To be honest if the cover of the book looks interesting I will probably order it it to add it to my collection, old or new. I troll through ebay looking for interesting vintage pattern books and pamphlets to add to the collection. It breaks up the deadline of my normal day. So the discussion came up recently about recommendations for knitting lace stitch books. Here are some of my favorites in no particular order.
Knitting Pattern Books
	Knitting Lace By Susan Lewis The 91 motifs presented in this book were taken from a 19th century lace sampler in the Brooklyn Museum. Lewis dissects and charts each pattern to make them accessible to lace knitters of all skill levels. In this book, you will find complete written and charted instructions for all 91 patterns in the sampler. Full instructions for four lace projects: a shawl, a sweater, a girl's dress, and socks/stockings. Detailed directions to design and chart your own lace patterns. Information for machine knitters to convert hand-knitting charts to machine.
	Mary Thomas's Book of Knitting Patterns  By Thomas, Mary Probably the best such manual ever written. A new motif or design in each chapter; over 300 figures illustrating the patterns.
	Barbara Abbey's Knitting Lace By Barbara Abbey By popular demand (and lobbying from Sandy Terp), Barbara Abbey s Knitting Lace is back in print. There appears to be another swell of interest in lace knitting; wonderful! This book is one of only two I know of that is dedicated to lace edgings (and the other one has been out of print for many years); 100 of them to be exact; plus some background lace and instructions for doilies. An excellent - and unique - resource, now in hardcover.
	Heirlooms Knitting By Sharon Miller She also has written: Shetland Hap Shawls, Princess Shawl, The Lerwick Lace Shawl, Love Darg Shetland Shawls (Just ordered)
	Arctic Lace: Knitting Projects and Stories Inspired by Alaska's Native Knitters  By Druchunas, Donna Qiviut, or musk ox down, is a world-class fiber--luxurious, warm, and lightweight. People who experience it become obsessed. Qiviut makes perfect hand-knitted lace, as demonstrated by the Alaskan artisans of Oomingmak Musk Ox Producers' Co-op. This book presents how-tos for knitting and designing lace, projects suited to new as well as experienced lace knitters, yarn sources, and comprehensive cultural background.
	THe Haapsalu Shawl: A Knitted Lace Tradition from Estonia  By Siiri Reimann & Aime Edasi  A glorious, coffee-table size book of knitted lace, Estonia and a binding love between the two. Not a simple pattern book, and certainly not a project book, but a time capsule into a far off world where the soul of a people is captured in the hands that guide the needles to create the indigenous patterns of a rich heritage. The photography capturing this world is rich and the drawings and charts make the techniques and patterns close to a hands-on learning experience.
	Shetland Lace Knitting From Charts  By Hazel Carter
	Creating Original Hand-knitted Lace  By Margaret Stove Intended for all levels of skill, Margaret Stove's new book, with 236 illustrations and diagrams, is unique in that it is specifically designed to enable knitters to create original hand-knitted lace. The opening chapter looks back over the years to the sixteenth century and the first knitting to use holes in a decorative manner. Early chapters then discuss the structure of knitting, the 'tools of the trade' and where and when lace can be used to its best advantage. With accompanying step-by-step pictures and diagrams, the effects of individual stitches are illustrated and explained. Having examined how stitches can be created, readers are invited to participate in specific, carefully described and illustrated exercises. Readers are then introduced to the important stage of project planning and then provided with a detailed account of how it is possible to progress from the 'visionary' stage of inspiration through the practical stages of design to the ultimate finished product.
	The Art of Shetland Lace By Sarah Don The authoritative book on the finest of knitting. Technique, instructions and patterns for the gossamer wedding ring laces
Japanese First and formost any book written by the Prince of Knitting is just pure knitting inspiration or crochet patterns.
	1000 pattern stitch - knitting patterns crochet knitting needle definitive editions By When they say definitive edition in the title they really do not lie on that one. There are 3 stitch books that I don't think I could live without. This is one of them. I simply adore this book and a lot of patterns you don't see in the other books. I actually picked up my copy while I was in China, one of the only 2 knitting books at the bookstore.
	Couture Knitted Patterns by Hitomi Shida ISBN-13: 978-4529041768 And this would be the 2nd stitch book I couldn't live without. :)
	Figured 250 Gorgeous Knit Patterns by Hirose Mitsuharu ISBN-13: 978-4529042284 And the 3rd stitch book
Lace Shawls
	Knitted Lace of Estonia: Techniques, Patterns, and Traditions  By Bush, Nancy Combining some of the oldest knitted artifacts in Northern Europe with authentic tips and expert advice, this distinctive guidebook demonstrates a wide range of knitting knowledge. Featuring 14 heirloom-quality projects, this savvy reference includes traditional lace-knitting techniques such as the starburst, twig, peacock, and lily of the valley patterns. Modern variations on classic methods and adding lace edges are also explored, and photographs from several Estonian museums beautifully illustrate various completed designs. With accessible graphed and written instructions, the projects include Estonian-style shawls, stoles, and scarves.
	A Gathering of Lace  By Swansen, Meg Editor Rowley, Elaine Photographer Xenakis, Alexis Collected from knitting designers all over the world, the patterns in this guide will be a joy to create for any knitter. The lavish full-color illustrations and easy-to-follow instruction charts will make these traditional patterns an exciting addition to a lace knitter's repertoire. From beginner to advanced, the 34 projects contained include designs for sweaters, vests, shawls, scarves, gloves, and socks. With beautiful photographs of these unique patterns, this knitting book is perfect for those who love to knit lace and those who would love to learn.
	Traditional Knitted Lace Shawls  By Waterman, Martha Timeless and beautiful shawls from Ireland, Scotland, and Wales in an array of shapes with openwork, textured stitches, and lace edgings. Everything you need to know to design and knit your own shawls is provided, including detailed instructions for eight shawls.
	Victorian Lace Today  By Sowerby, Jane Photographer Xenakis, Alexis Part project book and part history lesson, this unmatched collection of lace patterns offers techniques for embellishment and edging to shawls and scarves. The 40 projects are deciphered, rewritten, charted, and adapted for modern tools and fibers. Illustrated.
	The Gossamer Webs Design Collection: Three Orenburg Shawls to Knit  By Khmeleva, Galina Presenting three classic Orenburg-style lace patterns in written form for the very first time. Created from a series of basic elements and patterns handed down from generation to generation from the Orenburg region of Russia, Galina Khmeleva has worked with these talented craftspeople to bring you these unique knitted masterpieces. Create your own heirloom shawl following step-by-step instructions and charts laid out for ease of knitting from bottom to top.
Historical Reprints
	The First Book of Modern Lace Knitting  By Kinzel, Marianne Easily learned, low-cost fundamental methods for over 25 distinctive projects, including Rose Leaf, English Crystal, Mosaic, Coronet, Valentine, Celandine, more. Includes diagrams, charts, and photographs of completed articles.
	The Second Book of Modern Lace Knitting  By Kinzel, Marianne Perfect for knitters of all skill levels, eye-catching designs include Grand Slam, Lilac Time, Maidenhair, and others. The book features step-by-step directions for creating over 29 complete projects. 41 illustrations.
	Knitted Lace Designs of Herbert Neibling By Herbert Niebling The name of Herbert Niebling has become legendary among lace-knitters.In his designs you may find familiar leaves and flowers - but frequently his extraordinary and unique motifs will make you gasp; he seems to bend the "rules" of knitting to near-impossible lengths. Over two dozen patterns are included - edited and revised by Mary Frances Wogec - along with her full English translation. What a treat. This beautiful book, Knitted Lace Designs of Herbert Niebling is a reprint of Gestrickte Spitzendecken by Eva Maria Leszner. However, the English translator discovered errors in many of the instructions - and has corrected everything she found. Most comforting as you launch into one of these spectacular designs.her
Faroe Islands
	Bundanaurriklaedid By Imported from the Faroe Islands, 19 traditional Faroese shawls; color photos; charts and schematics. Hardcover, plus complete softcover English translation supplement by Marilyn Van Keppel
	Three-cornered and Long Shawls By Sigridur Halldórsdóttir The reprint of a near-legendary Icelandic shawl book contains instructions and charts for 27 lovely lace shawls and scarves knitted with Icelandic Laceweight or UnSpun Icelandic wools. Author's English translation included.
German
	Kunst Stricken: GroBe und kleine DeckenISBN: 9783897980709 Verlag fur die Frau SC Folio   16 pp. + 4 fold-out pattern charts   This pattern folio contains the instructions and charts for 36 gorgeous knitted lace articles. The patterns are for round, square and oval articles of varying sizes. Each of the patterns is charted on the large fold-out charts included and two of the patterns are also translated into English. Also included is an English translation of the knitting symbols used. A gorgeous collection!
	Kunststricken: Schone historische Muster ISBN: 9783897982260 Verlag fur die Frau SC Folio   6 fold-out pattern charts   This pattern folio contains a collection of 24 mid-20th century knitted lace patterns for table runners and doilies. The designs are charted on six large fold-out pattern sheets. Please note: The text and symbols for these patterns are in German.
	Omas Strickgeheimnisse by Erika Eichenseer, Erika Grill And Betta Kron. 200 historical knitting patterns from a folk museum collection. Comes with English translation.

knitty: ohio knitting mills - part of Cleveland, OH textile history

The Ohio Knitting Mills Knitting Book: 26 Patterns Celebrating Four Decades of American Sweater Style Author - Steven Tatar & Contributor - Denise Grollmus This is one of those books I have been waiting for since I saw the preorder listing on Amazon. I really didn't know anything about the title, but since I live in Ohio and into textile history of just about any kind I went ahead and preordered.
	If nothing else I was intrigued by the cover sweater which appeared to be a inspired by the 1965 YSL dress that was inspired by Mondrian. YSL was inspired by the Composition series of Piet Mondrian and he translated his paintings into dresses for his fall collection in 1965. After reading about that pattern, it turns out that OKM reproduced that design and sold it for $30.00. The book is really delightful. A little touch of the history of the mill and 26 modern recreation of a few of there designs. The pattern range in history from the 40's - 70's. I wish there were earlier examples of there works, but that is always the way things are. The technical drawings that are inside the book jacket in the front and the back are probably my favorite touch. But the photo of the original garment and the modern interpretation is a nice touch for each garment. You can still purchase some of the vintage sweaters from the mill. I sheepishly didn't know much about the Ohio Knitting Mill, but I checked out there site and a couple of other sites about the mill and the shop...... So what happens when you have a collection of over 10,000 knit wear garments stored in a time capsule? You open up a store in NYC, create a web site to sell vintage sweaters and release a book about the history of the Cleveland, Ohio sweater mill.
"Yves Saint Laurent: 'Mondrian' day dress (C.I.69.23)". In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000 ndash;. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/C.I.69.23 (October 2006) Source: Yves Saint Laurent: "Mondrian" day dress (C.I.69.23) | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Other links of interest Sketch up for auction by YSL for the Mondrian dresses of '65 Christie's Auction photo of Piet Mondrian's Composition avec bleu, rouge, jaune et noir, 1922, (estimate: $10-14 million), which sold at Christie's Photos from the YSL, Style, Style, Style book
	Cleveland, Ohio was second to only NYC for textile manufacturing at one point in time. The Ohio Knitting Mills was founded in 1928 by Harry Stone whose family for three generations ran the mills until it was closed during2003. What really saddens me is that this great collection of American textile history was not documented it has been sold off piece mill to vintage collectors. The mill once made garment for Lord & Taylor, Sears, Montgomery Ward, Pendleton, Van Heusen, Jack Winter, Queen's Way of Fashion, Petti, and Easmoor. The other disheartening and sad thing is, this may be the only way to buy an American mill made sweater at this point in time.
http://ohioknittingmills.wordpress.com/ - http://www.ohioknittingmills.com/ To See a real treat of some of the photos taken from people who have seen the photos Ohio Knitting Mills @ Lizard Lounge on Karmalot - A creative coop - Click Here Photos on Country Living - Click here

kitty: you never know where google might take you

So this post kind of started out with me looking to see if anyone had posted anymore information about Godey's Lady's Book on the net. I have been reading one of the old volumes on and off for the last month. I keep having good plans on setting down and scanning more of the crumpling pages to add to the Godey's Lady's Book section of the blog, but sadly time seems to always pass me buy. I have good plans honest... But alas I have no time to breathe these days. So here are a few of the gems I found about Godey's Lady's Books.

Godey's Lady's Book

Godey's Lady's Book, Vol. 42, January, 1851 - Project Gutenberg Another great entry into the Project Gutenberg project Fashion: Work Collection of patterns Godey's Lady's Book Online 5 months of Godey's Lady's books that has been reproduced by hand

Then my googling lead me to check my ongoing search for hard to find historical knitting books. A lot of these are in my personal collection, I am only missing a few, but I thought I would include the list that I normally go through on amazon to see what other people have bought. I am always in search of good books, particularly those about lace or forgotten techniques.

Historical Knitting Books

Alice Starmore: Aran Knitting Alice Starmore: Charts for Colour Knitting a Designer's Source Book From the Personal Collection of Alice Starmore Anne-Maj Ling: Two-End Knitting Patterns Ann Feitelson: The Art of Fair Isle Knitting: History, Technique, Color and Pattern Anne L. MacDonald: No Idle Hands: The Social History of American Knitting Annemor Sundbo: Setesdal Sweaters: The History of the Norwegian Lice Pattern Annemor Sundbo: Everyday Knitting: Treasures from a Ragpile Beth Brown-Reinsel: Knitting Ganseys Birgitta Dandanell: Twined Knitting Britt-Marie Christoffersson: Swedish Sweaters: New Designs from Historical Examples (An International Craft Classic) Elsebeth Lavold: Viking Patterns for Knitting: Inspiration and Projects for Today's Knitter Gladys Amedro: Shetland Lace Gladys Thompson: Patterns for Guernseys, Jerseys, and Arans: Fishermen's Sweaters from the British Isles Gwyn Morgan: Traditional Knitting Patterns of Ireland, Scotland, and England Henriette Van Der Klift-Tellegen: Knitting from the Netherlands, Traditional Dutch Fisherman James Norbury: Traditional Knitting Patterns from Scandinavia, the British Isles, France, Italy Jules and Kaethe Kliot: Knitting 19th Century Sources Laurel Thatcher Ulrich: The Age of Homespun: Objects and Stories in the Creation of An American Myth Libeth Upitis: Latvian Mittens: Traditional Designs & Techniques Martha Waterman: Traditional Knitted Lace Shawls Mary Schiffmann: The Lacy Knitting of Mary Schiffmann Michael Pearson: Michael Pearson's Traditional knitting: Aran, Fair Isle, and fisher ganseys Nancy Bush: Folk Socks: The History and Techniques of Handknitted Footwear Nancy Bush: Knitted Lace of Estonia: Techniques, Patterns, and Traditions Nancy Bush: Knitting Vintage Socks: New Twists on Classic Patterns Nancy Bush: Folk Knitting in Estonia : A Garland of Symbolism, Tradition, and Technique Priscilla A. Gibson-Roberts: Ethnic Socks & Stockings: A Compendium of Eastern Design and Technique Priscilla A. Gibson-Roberts: Knitting in the Old Way: Designs and Techniques from Ethnic Sweaters Richard Rutt: A History of Hand Knitting Sabine Domnick: Cables, Diamonds, & Herringbone: Secrets of Knitting Traditional Fishermen's Sweaters Sarah Don: Fair Isle Knitting Sharon Miller: Heirloom Knitting Shelagh Hollingworth: Traditional Aran Knitting Sheila McGregor: Traditional Fair Isle Knitting Sheila McGregor: Traditional Scandinavian Knitting Susan M. Strawn: Knitting America: A Glorious Heritage from Warm Socks to High Art Wendy Keele: Poems of Color: Knitting in the Bohus Tradition

kitty: Samplers

Recently I have started to collect sampler books for my mom and one of her friends. Above is a little collection that I have ready to send her for Valentines Day. Yes, Yes, Yes, I am really late and if I don't hurry Asian Girls Valentines day will be over as well. I am just having a hard time finding time to get to the post office. The stack of stuff I need to mail is embarrassing. :( Sorry everyone. I have been thinking a lot about needlework and samplers, it is surprising when you think about it; the story of the sampler really is far from over. In a time when virtually all textiles are mass-produced and women are employed outside the home, there has been a revival in an interest in hand goods. Just think about all the craft bloggers out there. Though it pains me to say, embroidery and decorative arts that flourished prior to the Industrial Revolution can never again be regained. We have simply lost the skills and time needed for these arts. We are certainly coming a long way to restore the craft, but unfortunately it is seen more as a craft than fine art. Though there is a small group that is working on the "Heritage Industry" today, who keep at least some of the historical concepts alive. So what engrossed us in studding about samplers? Historically, samplers were the start of a lifetime of work. The word sampler was derived from the Latin - 'exemplum' which had a meaning of self-explanatory. So the meaning of sampler was the act of learning and recording of stitches. This is the aspect that really intrigues both my mother and me. Young children did a lot of the earliest samplers both English and Continental. The motifs that were popular were those of the areas of the world that you lived. For example; Crucifixion and Instruments of Passion are common in Catholic Europe, Orange Trees were popular in German and Danish borders, English samplers have heavy bands and repeat borders. I am far from an expert, but I have been reading a lot on the subject as of late. Especially in regards to knitted samplers and lace samplers. Knitted samplers were very practical items. They held an immediate practical application for the knitter. They could be used as stockings, caps, gloves, and other accessories need to keep one warm in the winter. Then when young girls perfected their lace knitting, they could knit the band designs into the ankles of their stockings so that it would be slightly visible under their hemlines. You know how a racy ankle meant more than fully exposed chest during the early 1800's.

Samplers from A to Z by Pamela A. Parmal

kitty: Samplers: From the Victoria & Albert Museum - 1851773096

Samplers: From the Victoria & Albert Museum (Hardcover) by Clare Browne Victoria & Albert Museum (January 1, 1999) ISBN-10: 1851773096 Ingram Annotation Embroidered samplers from the V&A's fine collection are used in this lavishly illustrated volume to provide a historical survey of this popular needlework art and a practical guide to the different types of stitches. Samplers reveals a gallery of some of the most important and beautiful pieces in the V&A and is a unique opportunity to see close-up the fragile objects which cannot remain on permanent display or be seen in strong light. The book is international in scope and covers a wide range of stitch types, providing both practical information and a rich source of inspiration for designers and embroiderers. Kitty Kitty If you were going to buy one of these titles, I think this one really has the most bang for the buck. It offers a comprehensive study of samplers through out the time with reference to Egyptian to Modern. It also clearly outlines the common these and motifs found in samplers. .

kitty: Ohio Is My Dwelling Place: Schoolgirl Embroideries, 1803-1850 - 0821414534

Ohio Is My Dwelling Place: Schoolgirl Embroideries, 1803-1850 by Sue Studebaker Ohio University Press (November 2002) ISBN-10: 0821414534 Ingram Annotation One of the most intriguing cultural artifacts of our nation's past was made by young girls—the embroidery sampler. In Ohio Is My Dwelling Place, American decorative arts expert Sue Studebaker documents the samplers created in Ohio prior to 1850, the girls who made them, their families, and the teachers who taught them to stitch. In this lavishly illustrated book, these now highly prized works are coupled with the stories behind their creations and the circumstances under which they were sewn. Ohio Is My Dwelling Place also includes an extensive chart of known pioneer teachers and schools in Ohio, as well as maps depicting the counties where the samplers were made. These samplers serve as a tangible and enduring legacy of Ohio's history, and readers will be intrigued and fascinated by the stories presented in this extraordinary keepsake volume. Kitty Kitty On many levels I think this is an amazing title. Rich in both Ohio history and also Children Embroidery Reference. Definitely a good reference book.

kitty: Samplers (Fitzwilliam Museum Handbooks) - 1851773096

Samplers (Fitzwilliam Museum Handbooks) by Carol Humphrey Cambridge University Press (April 28, 1997) ISBN-10: 0521575923 Ingram Annotation This lavishly illustrated book brings together a selection of English and Continental samplers of outstanding quality and interest. The selection includes examples from the fifteenth century to the twentieth, showing the development of techniques and changing fashions in design. It brings alive the many social reasons for the sampler’s manufacture and decoration, from providing an early ‘curriculum vitae’ to illustrating the accomplishments of young ladies. The introduction and full descriptions explain their significance, style, and materials and all examples are shown in full colour. Kitty Kitty: This was probably my favorite book, there are a wealth of examples and a lot of different samplers that are not commonly seen in the other books.