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.