Knitted lace of Estonia - Nancy Bush

From Estonian knitting authority Nancy Bush comes a new classic, Knitted Lace of Estonia. Knitters will deepen their knowledge of knitting in Estonia, home to some of the oldest knitted artifacts in northern Europe-particularly mittens, gloves, and socks-where the craft has played a major role in customs and traditions for hundreds of years. Learn about traditional lace-knitting techniques, including the traditional starburst, twig, peacock, and lily of the valley patterns and their variations; different ways to make the distinctive nupp, or subdued bobble; as well as modern adaptations of the classic ways of constructing shawls and scarves and adding lace edges. Technique chapters will include information about traditional Estonian lace knitting as well as modern adaptations of the classic ways of constructing shawls and scarves and adding lace edges. Photographs from several Estonian museums and from the author's own collection of modern knitted shawls are used as source material for patterns and construction techniques.

A chapter includes dozens of Estonian lace patterns, with both graphed and written instructions, so they are easily understandable to readers. Instructions for fourteen heirloom-quality projects to knit are included: scarves and shawls in square, rectangular, and triangular shapes; some with added edgings, some without. The text covers instructions for interchanging patterns and designing an Estonian-style shawl, stole or scarf from beginning to end. Tips and techniques used in Estonia are included and augmented with expert advice from the author.