Monday, November 11, 2013

First Book of Modern Lace Knitting


First Book of Modern Lace Knitting by Marianne Kinzel is a booklet of lace patterns that is "modern" in the sense that it was written in the 1950's.  The designs are all very pretty, and while there aren't motifs that you can easily move to another design itself, with  yarn selection  you can adapt what the patterns were meant for (tablecloth - shawl etc.)  

An incredible feature of this book is that it contains charts!  I have found chart inclusion to be rare in older lace books.  There are also instructions on how to read charts in three different languages, English, French and German.  

"Knitted lace is, of course,, not by any means as valuable as a fine pillow lace, a needlerun or needlepoint lace, the latter being considered the most exquisite of all time.  But in these crowded days of our modern age, very few women have the long leisure hours required to learn and practice the noble art of true lace-making."  

The patterns in the book are separated into three sections based on their construction.  For Designs knitted on two pins (needles), in the round, and square.  Some of my favorite designs include:
  • "Celandine" Design - a series of chair backs, tray cloths and luncheon mats.  The lace is a simple diamond design with a circle in the center of each panel.  There are even instructions to modify the pattern to suit your personal needs!  
  • "Coronet" Design - a doily that reminds me slightly of the one I knit to test out whether I liked lace knitting.  This has a flower at the center surrounded by eyelets with a gathered crochet bindoff at the edge.  
  • "Valentine Design" This set is sweet because it contains hearts!  There is a Cheval Set (which I'm not sure what that is...)  
  • "Azalea" Design - Luncheon Set.  I love this because it looks like a pattern of a multipettled flower or a a pile of overlapping leaves. 
On closer inspection, most of the flat patterns come with modification instructions.  If only this were something we saw more in contemporary, downloadable patterns!  

3 comments:

  1. A cheval set sits on a dressing table - you would place hairbrush, hand mirror and tray on top of these items. There could be a powder bowl on the tray, or you could place jewelry there.

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    Replies
    1. Ohhhh, that's what those things are called! Thanks so much for helping me out. :)

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  2. SES POINTS FORTS : SON ENTRETIEN FACILE ET SA DÉLICATESSE
    Non seulement délicate et élégante, la nouvelle ligne de linge de lit DEREN avec bandes satinées 2 cm séduira le plus grand nombre grâce à son entretien facile.
    En effet, le mélange coton / polyester lui confère une excellente tenue au lavage et permet un repassage facile.Comme tout le linge de lit DEREN, la gamme PERLA n’échappe pas à la règle et arbore également nos astucieux liserés de couleur (invisibles une fois le lit fait) à l’ouverture de la housse de couette (ci-dessus) permettant de trier, plus rapidement, le linge par taille.La housse de couette PERLA SOCIAL ACCOUNTShttps://www.facebook.com/epitexfrance/ reprend les mêmes fondamentaux que les housses de couette ANAFI et SAMOS afin de vous faire gagner un temps précieux : sa forme droite avec des passe-mains de chaque côté, son ouverture complète ainsi que ses liserés de couleur permettant un repérage rapide de la taille, faciliteront sa mise en place. La housse de couette satinées Perla

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