Knitch Magazine

Title: Stitchionary 5 Lace Knitting

Author: Vogue Knitting

Date Published: 2010

Review Date: September, 2010

Who is this book for?

Stitchionary 5, Lace Knitting is another in the best-selling series of stitch dictionaries from the Editors of Vogue Knitting Magazine. Like the earlier installments (Knit & Purl, Color Knitting, Cables and Crochet), this book is a valuable reference for knitters of all skill levels. If there is a knitter out there who hasn’t yet fallen under the spell of knitting lace, this collection of patterns is sure to lure her or him into the enchanting art of lace. Stitchionary 5 explores the endless potential of lace knitting and knitted lace. Yes, dear knitters, there is a distinction: in lace knitting all the action of yarn-overs, increases and decreases occurs on one side with an easy return of knitting or purling back. Knitted lace, on the other hand, is more complex since the pattern maneuvers are worked every row. Although knitted lace introduces more opportunity for error, these challenging designs are beautiful for their intricacy as in the relatively easy “Shetland bead lace” (pattern 33) and the more complex “butterflies are free” (pattern 120). Give them a try; you will learn to work and “read” both sides of your knitting.

What Yarn Does it Feature?

All the swatches are knit using extra fine merino wool (Zarina from Filatura Di Crosa), a deeply saturated plied yarn with flat surface that displays the details of all the lovely lace stitches. Test knitters used size 3 or 4 (3.25 – 3.5 mm) like the finely crafted Lantern Moon needles featured on the cover of the book. Knitters will, of course, dutifully create a swatch to test the lace stitches using their own yarn and needles, but the samples in the book provide a helpful starting point.

What's Inside

Seven chapters containing a total of 158 lace patterns are arranged from easy to more expert level. All the patterns are numbered and named with descriptive labels. Some describe the lace pattern precisely as with the beautiful “cockleshells” (pattern 99), “double diamonds” (pattern 136) and “French swirl” (pattern 153). Other names are less objective but far more imaginative as “webs, spiders and diamonds” (pattern 118) or the “fox and badgers” (pattern 78) and “caterpillar” (pattern129).

Using It

Stitchionary 5 is well organized; the editors at Vogue know knitters’ preferences and have developed a functional format for the Stitchionary series. The clear, uncluttered layout is unified with samples knit in a pleasing palette from silver to deep royal blue. The color scheme is carried throughout the book, in chapter tabs, pattern names and swatch illustrations. Your eye will tell you before your mind comprehends that the icy blue swatches with names like “japanese butterflies” (pattern 119) are in the allover patterns chapter while the royal blue “open book” (pattern 130) is in a separate chapter devoted to lace panels.

Theoretically, you can use the pattern number to gauge the level of difficulty of the lace pattern, with higher pattern numbers indicating a greater the level of difficulty. The level of pattern difficulty progresses from easy to complex in each chapter. Likewise, the skill level builds from chapter to chapter. Starting with easy mesh, the knitting is organized into chapters of edgings, chevrons that create angle and line with staggered decreases and yarn-overs, allover patterns, panels that can be used alone or inserted in other patterns, combination lace and cable patterns, and motifs that can be featured alone or in combination other lace.

All the patterns feature a large full color illustration, line-by-line instructions and a large easy to read chart. Vogue uses standard symbols and abbreviations in all the pattern instructions. Specialized techniques are described at the start of each pattern so that you don’t have to flip back and forth between the pattern and glossary instructions. The editors maintain a very high standard of accuracy, but you should always check for corrections before starting any lace pattern. No corrections have yet been published for Stitchionary 5, but you can check at Sixth and Spring Books for updates.

Best Pattern (or Best Advice)

Use these fanciful and descriptive labels to spark your creativity and create a shawl, scarf or garment based on symbolic hidden meanings. Knitting lore holds that Aran islanders created cables based on religious and runic symbols that were then combined patterns associated with clans and villages. Victorians used floriography in tussie mussies to send secret messages of flirtation, love, and admiration. Knitted lace is traditionally presented to commemorate a special occasion like a wedding or birth, and sometimes to send encouragement like in a prayer shawl. You can create a uniquely special work of art to communicate your message by using these patterns according to their symbolic meanings. Browse through the pattern name index to find a pattern that conveys your heart’s intent. You’ll find you can welcome a new baby girl with a blanket of “sweet violets” (pattern 75) edged in “petticoats” (pattern 43). Bless a baby boy with lace of “flying saucers” (pattern 31) around a “sea star” medallion (pattern 156). Celebrate an engagement with a scarf of “diamonds are forever” (pattern 86) or “hearts entwined” (pattern 132). Whatever you choose, be sure to include a short description of the pattern names when you present the lace; the recipient will appreciate the beauty of the lace and the deeper meaning of your gift.

Recommendation

For many knitters, lace is the ultimate achievement. More than a tour de force, lace is alluring, romantic, and feminine. It’s a delight to knit and makes an impressive and welcome commemorative gift. Stitchionary 5, Lace Knitting is a collection of lace patterns that will charm and challenge knitters from beginner to expert. The editors, faced with endless possibilities in lace knitting, presented an organized and easy to use tool that is both a designer’s resource and a handy guide for individual patterns.

Overall Recommendation

Like the other four books in this series, Stitchionary 5, Lace Knitting is an essential reference. I rate it #10.