What I love about this book are not only the great pattern, but the history of lace knitting. I’m (admittedly) a geek, and I just love to see how things evolve over time, and this book takes you on a journey through the history of lace shawls during Victorian times.
There are a lot of knittable patterns in there, and also the book strives to give you enough of an understanding of the basic design principles so you can make your own shawls or wraps.
When I started knitting again after a 10+ year hiatus, a pair of socks was actually one of the first things I knit. It turned out that I don’t love dpns (still), and that I make holes in top-down heel flaps (also, still). So I searched the internet, and found that sock knitting had changed – two circulars, wow. Toe-up, my gosh!
This book is an excellent starting point if you’re interested in broadening your skills as a sock knitter, and find a less painful way to keep your footsies warm.
Finally, a book about bigger projects. I bought this in the hopes that it will help me convert vintage patterns to modern-day knit- and wearable garments.
While I don’t think this is actually the case, I am sure that understanding the construction techniques detailed in this book are invaluable, and will help me greatly to make “my own” sweaters and cardigans.
Disclaimer: Yes, if you click on any of those pictures, it will take you to Amazon, and if you go ahead and buy a copy of the book in question, I will get a tiny percentage of the price.
