First Book of Modern Lace Knitting

I’ve made the cover doily, “Coronet”, twice and the Rose Leaf curtains once. I’m barely started with the book, really. It’s not a compendium of modern lace knitting, or even mid-century lace knitting. It’s a 1954 collection of one designer’s work: doilies, curtains, and tablecloths. The modernity comes in with the designer’s use of techniques that were up-to-date for the time, which she thoroughly explains and illustrates, and especially with her then-innovative use of graphs, which were not in general use until about 1970.

It should be noted that she uses British sizes for knitting needles and British crochet terminology, so her double crochet stitch is an American single crochet.

The patterns in this book are astoundingly lovely. However, I was hoping for more fundamental information on how lace works and how to design one's own lace patterns. This book doesn't serve that purpose well, though it is certainly worth looking at -- and owning, since it is quite inexpensive.

The first and second books of Modern Lace Knitting are beautiful. The lace intricate and beautiful. Most of the patterns are for doilies or other decorative accents, but they can - with the right yarn - be expanded into wearable shawls, curtains, table runners or any other lacy thing you fancy. The language is a bit dated, but otherwise easy to figure out.

A wonderful collection of old lace patterns for tablecloths, curtains, a bedspread and antimacassars.

Spectacular designs for tablecloths and other large pieces.

Beautiful fine lace - doilies and tablecloths mainly

Seized by realism, time to sell it