Well we are going back....way back in time, before my Mom was even born! It's time to see what the LA Public Library can really offer me. And after all folks, knitting has been around for centuries and hasn't changed all that much. I mean we still use string and pointy sticks. So books written twenty, thirty or in this case fifty years ago should still be relevant and good resources.
This week in honor of Wendy's Summer of Lace I picked up the First Book of Modern Lace Knitting by Marianne Kinzel (1954, reprint 1973).
First of all, the author's introduction was a nice little history lesson on knitted lace. I have to admit, my historical knowledge of the fiber arts is sparse to non-existent. Now that I consider myself an accomplished knitter, I want to start delving back in time a bit. It also gives a bit of a chuckle as it touches on the traditional role of woman in the 1950's like the line "I do expect the reader of this book to be familiar with the basic knitting stitches we all learn in school."
The blast to the past vibe continues in the discussion on knitting needles.
"Knitters are often rather reluctant to use the circular needle, but having once experimented with the unusual knitting implement they find it most pleasing to work with."
Really the giggling I did was uncalled for but when I thought about how they would view my Denise's, which I use almost exclusively, I pictured faces of mock horror. I also learned that apparently there used to be different sizes for US DPNS and US Circulars. The give a British size no.13 as equivalent to US no.12 dpns or no.1 circulars.
As I progressed further into the meat of the book, I found quite a few useful items. The first thing I know I am going to use, it an easy-to-start method for knitting in the round that uses a crochet chain. I know I have seen this described somewhere else but the pictures and instructions are incredible clear. A quick note on the picture which as you all know is my personal pet peeve. Black and white photos can really work much better than color. A quick discussion on tension was informative and a tip of marking the cast-on stitches to facilitate counting elicited an "Ahhhh (Thump Head Against Wall)" moments. Sometimes it's the obvious things that I don't even think of that get me the most. And the discussion on starching (most of the lace projects are household), stretching and ironing are something not included in every lace book.
Yet a tip for joining the threads was the one I am going to use on my current lace project. It involves using a reef note (note to self, find out how to tie one of these) and when use it and a few stitches double stranded, no weaving in is needed!
Now when you finally get to the projects, you realize how dated this book is. Luncheon mats, a trolley cloth, a teas cosy, a settee back, a bedspread (I don't even want to contemplate how long this would take!), and then quite a few doilies. The patterns include charts and instructions long-hand.
These days when you say "lace" you can guess the person will be doing a shawl or scarf. Back in the day, it had a different implication. I am not sure, being the modern gal I am, that I would make many of these designs, but it was a good trip back into the knitting mind of the 1950's woman.
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