The Very Easy Guide to Lace Knitting

This easy-to-follow course in lace knitting will transform the complete beginner into an accomplished expert.

Progress from simple eyelet lace to openwork stitching and intricate edgings as you develop the skill and confidence to create beautiful pieces of lace filigree. With step-by-step tuition and a preliminary section explaining all the essentials yarn, needles, tension, techniques and how to read knitting charts this guide could not be more accessible.

All of the stitch swatches are clearly photographed and each stitch is provided in both written and chart form, so even novices can start right away. There are also 13 lovely projects to practise your newly acquired skills, including a baby blanket and slippers, an evening bag, a shrug and a jewellery purse.

Each stitch pattern is illustrated in both fine and thicker yarns, so you can choose the look of the finished item. The Very Easy Guide to Lace Knitting will give you the skills and the inspiration to get started.

This is a reissue of the previously best-selling published book The Very Easy Guide to Lace Knitting (9781844486519).

Book Contents

Introduction 6
Lesson 1: Yarns 8, Lesson 2: Knitting kit 10, Lesson 3: Circular needles 12

Knitting basics 14
Lesson 4: Casting on 16, Lesson 5: Knit and purl 18, Lesson 6: Reversible fabrics 20, Lesson 7: Casting off 21, Lesson 8: Decorative increases 22, Lesson 9: Decorative decreases 23, Lesson 10: Tension 24, Lesson 11: Charts 26

The lace knits 28
Lesson 12: Eyelet patterns 30, Technique: Simple eyelets 32, The stitch collection 34, Project 1: Baby blanket and slippers 44, Project 2: Hat and scarf 46, Project 3: Child’s cardigan 48, Lesson 13: Lace panels 50, Technique: Eyelets in diagonal lines 52, The stitch collection 54, Project 4: Cushion wraps 70, Project 5: Jewellery purse 72, Project 6: Women’s sweaters 74, Lesson 14: Lace patterns 78, Technique: Double decrease 80, The stitch collection 82, Project 7: Scarf 104, Project 8: Wrap 106, Project 9: Evening bag 108, Project 10: Pillow cover 110, Lesson 15: Lace edgings 112, Technique: Double increase 114, The stitch collection 116, Project 11: Shrug 120, Project 12: Baby’s shawl 122, Project 13: Guest towels 124

Finishing techniques 126
Lesson 16: Blocking and pressing 128, Lesson 17: Perfect seams 130, Lesson 18: Adding beads and sequins 132, Lesson 19: Basic tassels 134, Lesson 20: Beaded tassels 135, Lesson 21: Adding buttons 136, Lesson 22: Pompoms 138, Lesson 23: Aftercare essentials 139

Abbreviations and chart symbols 140, Index 142, Credits 144