- Hardcover: 196 pages
- Publisher: XRX Books (22 Nov 2007)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1933064072
- ISBN-13: 978-1933064079
- Product Dimensions: 27.7 x 25.9 x 2.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 414,623 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
Within this compendium, the very first knitting books have been translated from sketchy, often inaccurate instructions into richly coloured, exciting patterns for modern day accessories. This blend of history, mystery, and hands-on technique debunks myths about Victorian life as it inspires beginners and ambitious knitters alike. Included are instructions for Victorian lace, as the Victorians never saw it - in glorious detail, up close and on location in and around Cambridge. The lace patterns progress from the first, most basic, edgings to the sophistication of "real" lace. Forty patterns are included - scarves and shawls, capes, and fichus - with comprehensive information on the tools and techniques of lace knitting for beginners and enough challenges to keep experienced or ambitious knitters engaged. Delicate and decorative, historical lace patterns are within the reach of today's knitters in this book of adventurous ideas with a vintage touch.
About the Author
Jane Sowerby - violist, teacher, spinner, and dyer - began researching Victorian lace knitting over a decade ago. She lives and knits near Cambridge, England.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
47 of 47 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
'Victorian Lace Today' is a superb lace knitting book - enticing, imaginative, and inspirational in every way.
The last two years have seen a return to the 'feminine', gentle and beautiful, especially in the areas of crochet and knitting. Gone are many of the stiff, boring and unimaginative garments that deterred many from taking up the needles again. Not so with this book.
It is, as the title says, based on patterns found in the knitting books of the Victorian era. However, these are transformed by the author Jane Sowerby, with the use of modern yarns, designer yarns, cottons, finest kid mohair, gorgeous colours and the adaptation of the patterns for the woman of the moment.
Lace is often thought of as doillies, chair back covers and old-fashioned items that grandma used on her tea tray. In 'Victorian Lace Today' you will not find anything like that, but chapters filled with wonderful shawls in many styles, simple lacy scarves, lace edged scarves, shawls with curving corners, throws, swirls, swinging items and everything that one could wish for to be a lacy up-to-date woman.
The colours used are often vibrant. Imagine a lacey rectangular shawl in fine lime green mohair or bright raspberry; or for lighter shades a soft gentle apple green, and a primrose so pale and fragile it is stunning. Also there are romantic black and mulberry coloured wraps to entice and capture the heart, plus a host of other lacy styles and colours.
The diagrams and intructions are very clear, as is the history of the women long ago who wrote these patterns for us. They are discussed in a way that brings the Victorian era to life.
The photographer must receive an accolation for his superb pictures. Alexis Xenakis has chosen the exteriors of stately homes for his locations, adding a mysterious past/present feel to the book. The models also echo this sense of timelessness in a way that is frankly beautiful.
If I had to chose only one knitting book this year, this would be the one.
It is exceptionally lovely.
The last two years have seen a return to the 'feminine', gentle and beautiful, especially in the areas of crochet and knitting. Gone are many of the stiff, boring and unimaginative garments that deterred many from taking up the needles again. Not so with this book.
It is, as the title says, based on patterns found in the knitting books of the Victorian era. However, these are transformed by the author Jane Sowerby, with the use of modern yarns, designer yarns, cottons, finest kid mohair, gorgeous colours and the adaptation of the patterns for the woman of the moment.
Lace is often thought of as doillies, chair back covers and old-fashioned items that grandma used on her tea tray. In 'Victorian Lace Today' you will not find anything like that, but chapters filled with wonderful shawls in many styles, simple lacy scarves, lace edged scarves, shawls with curving corners, throws, swirls, swinging items and everything that one could wish for to be a lacy up-to-date woman.
The colours used are often vibrant. Imagine a lacey rectangular shawl in fine lime green mohair or bright raspberry; or for lighter shades a soft gentle apple green, and a primrose so pale and fragile it is stunning. Also there are romantic black and mulberry coloured wraps to entice and capture the heart, plus a host of other lacy styles and colours.
The diagrams and intructions are very clear, as is the history of the women long ago who wrote these patterns for us. They are discussed in a way that brings the Victorian era to life.
The photographer must receive an accolation for his superb pictures. Alexis Xenakis has chosen the exteriors of stately homes for his locations, adding a mysterious past/present feel to the book. The models also echo this sense of timelessness in a way that is frankly beautiful.
If I had to chose only one knitting book this year, this would be the one.
It is exceptionally lovely.
29 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
While I would have liked to have read more information derived directly from Sowerby's research, this is an excellent resource for knitters. It is beautifully illustrated and includes a wide selection of patterns graded by experience level, each of which includes required yardage and both the yarn used in the image as well as suggested substitions. A well-planned book, it concludes with a very useful guide to methods (it's always nice to know which cast-on/off, etc. the designer had envisaged). Very good value for money.
58 of 59 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
If there is still anybody who thinks knitting is stupid, boring or whatever, think again. This wonderful book puts knitting into perspective. First and foremost it clearly demonstrates that knitting has a rich and long history to it. Secondly, as with anything with a history, it tells us a lot about the society and the people who practised it. Case in point, the Victorian society. But if you think history is as boring as knitting, here is another thought for you. This is a beautiful book. This lace and its patterns richly deserved to be preserved. This is as much cultural heritage as the Taj Mahal or Shakespeare. This lace is breathtaking. The photography is ever so refined and the Victorian settings are so fitting. I assure you. You will not put this book away until you have seen it all. And finally, when the mind and the senses have been satisfied you yourself can partake in this grand tradition. The detailed patterns and clear instructions allow you to recreate all this romantic beauty and make it ready for a new age.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
VICTORIAN LACE TODAY
I love this book,lots of history and lots of patterns which are labelled as easy/intermediate or experienced. Read more
Published 8 months ago by debbie
This is an absolte treasure - lace to make you drool
The only problem I have found with this book is I can't stop looking through it trying to decide what to start knitting first.. or having started... next! Read more
Published 16 months ago by L. Clarkson
fantastic
I'm hooked - already on my 4th project!
Everyone who looks at it loves it.
Everyone who looks at it loves it.
Published 20 months ago by sabine
Vintage knitting at it's best
Truly beautiful projects, stunningly photographed. As soon as I received the book my current WIP was immediately delegated to UFO-status so that I could start on my own... Read more
Published on 5 April 2010 by Cat LeBlanc
Inspirational book of achievable heirlooms for the dedicated knitter
Jane Sowerby really knows her stuff... this gorgeous book gives a fascinating insight into the pioneering creators of the original patterns that have inspired her. Read more
Published on 5 Feb 2010 by Nelly Maggie
victorian lace today
This is a beautiful book, but I have only given it 4 stars because I would have preferred less of the beautiful photograghy so there would have been more room to print the charts... Read more
Published on 10 Jan 2010 by P. A. Reynolds
Fabulous!
This is a fantastic book. The short section on knitting in Victorian times is fascinating and the designs themselves are stunning. Read more
Published on 29 Dec 2009 by Mrs. Helen Weaver
complete book
I have learned a lot from this book. I have knitted a lot but have no lace expirience. My first shawl is finished (easy)the next (intermediate) is halfway and i'm planning more... Read more
Published on 2 Dec 2009 by Anne Juhl
A treasure of a purchase
Victorian Lace today is a beautiful book in all respects. The patterns are inspiring. Halfway through the first and I am already planning the next. Read more
Published on 9 Oct 2009 by J. Warner
Absolutely fantastic.
This is the best lace knitting book I have ever bought. There is a great variety of patterns it is difficult to know where to start. Read more
Published on 23 Aug 2009 by Carol
Listmania!
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