Interweave Knits' WebWatch

Howdy!
There were a few things in the original Summer 2006 column I submitted to Interweave that didn't make it to print. I think the whole thing explains itself a little better, so what the heck -- here it is, for your reading enjoyment, with appropriate links in place in the text.

---

If you’ve been reading this column for a while [hi!], you may remember I wrote briefly about lace a few years ago. That was when I first realized lace was not my enemy, not solely the domain of ancient women with amazing eyesight and infinite patience. Lace has become my friend.

There’s a debate about nomenclature. Supposedly working a pattern with lace detailing on both sides is knitted lace, whereas doing what I love best – finding a pattern where every alternate row is simply knit or purled – is called lace knitting. They’ve both got “lace” in the name, and the resulting projects are beautiful and full of intentional holes. I’m not going to quibble about what’s what.

All over the web, lace has continued to grow in popularity since the Charlotte’s Web shawl first made its splash on blogs worldwide. Some people have added lace to their socks and sweaters. Some knit doilies. Endlessly. Some think their washcloths deserve a little lace. Some believe only in the glory of the lace shawl. There’s room for all of us.

What continues to fascinate me is how giving bloggers are of their time and knowledge. Two amazing bits of sharing have emerged recently. First, we have Ted Myatt and Katherine Matthews, who are co-blogging about their experience as they knit the dazzingly complex Princess Shawl designed by Sharon Miller. It’s a delicate, intricate work befitting the title “heirloom”, designed in fine crochet-weight cotton and called “one of the most complex Shetland lace patterns ever offered for sale”. I’d say.

And then we have the ever-generous Eunny Jang, who’s sharing everything she knows about lace, a blog entry at a time, with clear pictures and illustrations, and detailed explanations and instructions. Her “Majoring in Lace” series is a gift to anyone who wants to knit lace, and absolutely worth reading, printing and saving. Check her archives for more.

---

You want more? THIS should keep you busy for about a lifetime. :-)

And a little peek at my latest love, the Tuscany shawl:

This is all I can show you. This is the first lace shawl I've designed, and it'll be published in the book I'm writing for Interweave about knitting without wool. Spring 2007. I'm knitting the final sample for photography right now, and I still love it. Lace is a wonderful thing. Silk lace doubly so.

Posted 6:42 AM PST