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Victorian Lace Today Paperback – April 28, 2008

by Jane Sowerby (Author), Alexis Xenakis (Photographer)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 261 ratings
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Part project book and part history lesson, this unmatched collection of lace patterns offers techniques for embellishment and edging to shawls and scarves. The 40 projects are deciphered, rewritten, charted, and adapted for modern tools and fibers, and are presented with full-color photos and illustrations of both the works-in-progress and the finished items. Comprehensive information on the tools and techniques of lace knitting helps beginning knitters, and challenging patterns keep experienced and ambitious knitters engaged. Delicate and decorative, the historical lace patterns in this book are adventurous and dynamic.
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    196 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    XRX Books
  4. Publication date
    April 28, 2008
  5. Dimensions
    10.5 x 0.6 x 11.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    9781933064109
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1933064109
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author


Jane Sowerby is a former teacher who has done extensive research on Victorian knitting patterns and has given a series of lectures on Victorian lace shawls to craft guilds. Alexis Xenakis is the publisher of Knitter's Magazine and XRX Books. His photography is featured in more than 15 books, including all three volumes of The Knitting Experience. He lives in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 1933064102
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ XRX Books (April 28, 2008)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 196 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9781933064109
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1933064109
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.25 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10.5 x 0.6 x 11.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 261 ratings

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  1. Jane Sowerby

    Jane Sowerby

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
261 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Linda Bulger
5.0 out of 5 stars This is why people knit
Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2010
Verified Purchase
Most of the knitters I know are drawn to knitting for the creativity of the craft. We could buy sweaters, hats, mittens for our loved ones, toys and blankies and darling baby underthings, often in materials as fine as those we use for our knitting. And we can often buy them for less money than we spend on our lovingly hand-painted yarns of squishy, silky fiber. We knit because we want to knit some love into every stitch; because we can afford to; because we have the skill and creative energy; and we knit because we have the time.

Knitting was a more utilitarian pursuit until the Victorians, who are sometimes said to have invented the leisure class, took it up as a leisurely pastime. This gorgeous book from author Jane Sowerby traces the growth of creative hand knitting of lace from the 1830's to the end of the Victorian era. During these decades the codification of knitted lace designs began to appear in pamphlets and magazines. There was no standardization of directions and abbreviations, so some of these patterns are unknittable today; but they're a treasure trove, and Sowerby has now made them so much more accessible to modern knitters with this book.

Though  Victorian Lace Today  is much more than a pattern book, it does contain 38 patterns for shawls, scarves and stoles that are taken straight from the pages of The Ladies' Knitting and Netting Book, The Ladies' Assistant, and other publications of the era. Sowerby knitted them up, often in her own homespun yarn, and translated the designs to modern language for the modern knitter. In addition to the patterns (all of which are charted), this volume contains a wealth of general information on shawl construction, and deconstructs the patterns in a way that makes the reader feel it's all do-able. Yarn choices are discussed in a very helpful way.

Beyond the patterns and instructions, however, "Victorian Lace Today" is a big, beautiful book with glorious photography. The shoots were done in the English countryside, along the River Cam, in London and Brighton, and at the wonderful Belton House, where some filming was done for the BBC's "Pride and Prejudice." Photographer Alexis Xenakis captured the detailed shots of the knitted pieces, along with wonderful vistas of lawns, formal gardens, and half-timbered buildings. The photography and the social history would make this book an object of desire, and then there are the knitting patterns too.

I understand that the cautious knitter should look on the publisher's website for errata before picking up yarn and needles for one of these projects. That's a price I'm willing to pay for the pleasure of owning this book and, energized by Jane Sowerby's gift, I look forward to undertaking some of the projects in it. They are a living link to a rich creative history.

Linda Bulger, 2010
3 people found this helpful
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Patricia W. McNamara
5.0 out of 5 stars I highly recommend this beautiful book to anyone interested in lace knitting.
Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2021
Verified Purchase
This is a gorgeous book with stunning patterns. It exceeded my expectations. Beautiful photos & wonderful history of Victorian lace knitting. The patterns are truly gorgeous from the more traditional to the very unique. I especially love the section that shows you how to take what you've learned & design your own. So many beautiful items to make. Premium Book Co is a 5 star seller. My book arrived quickly & in perfect condition. I will purchase from this seller again.
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Sowerby's "Victorian Lace Today" - pros and cons
Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2007
Verified Purchase
I like the historical references in this book and am keeping it mainly because of them. The patterns themselves are also good and varied enough with round, square, triangle and rectangular shaped scarfs and shawls to retain one's interest. I don't like the font, which is quite light and somewhat tricky for 50 year+ eyes to read at night, and the photos which aren't always as revealing of the actual lace patterns themselves as I need when I'm trying to figure out a chart, though they are in themselves quite pretty. Also, there are still quite a number of errors, so be sure to visit the publisher's errata webpage.
10 people found this helpful
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Bonnie Brody
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Most Beautiful Knitting Books I Have
Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2009
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Wow! I drool over this book. I love to knit lace and this book has the most beautiful presentation of lace projects that I have ever seen. There are photographs of flower, wood, bridges and natural objects to complement the lace projects. The colors are luscious. If I had enough time in my days, I would knit every project in this book!

The projects are primarily shawls and scarves and vary in degree of difficulty. I think that one should be an intermediate knitter to take on one of these projects. As an experienced knitter told me when I did my first lace project (which I called my 'Chaos blanket'), "Learn to Count". Counting is the key to lace knitting.

I recommend this book for every lace knitter and for anyone who has ever dreamed of knitting lace. This book is inspirational and one that you will look at over and over for its beauty and ideas.
3 people found this helpful
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DJF
5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely classic lace shawls and garments.
Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2022
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I purchased this book because of one pattern -- the lace shawl/ caplet. Reading the book has been captivating and there are many gorgeous lace patterns. This book is much more than I expected. I am super happy to add it to buy collection of lace knitting books.
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volknitter
5.0 out of 5 stars A Lace Knitter's Dream
Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2006
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Jane Sowerby's latest offering is a lace knitter's dream. Sowerby delves into the history of lace knitting in Victorian England translating original designs of the period into patterns for today's knitters. There are a wide range of scarves and shawls, enough to entice a beginning lace knitter or challenge the advanced knitter. The designs are clearly charted and easy to follow. There is also a chapter devoted to understanding knitted lace with tips for designing your own lace. Shot on location in England, Alexis Xenakis' photography is exquisite! This large, hardbound volume is equally worthy of display amongst the art books on a coffee table and would make an excellent gift for the knitter in your life.
6 people found this helpful
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LWoods
5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning!
Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2015
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This book is full of 40 beautiful pieces to knit, one more beautiful than the next. When it arrived I was so surprised at just how wonderful this book is. The photographs are stunning, the history is interesting, and the advice as to how to design your own shawls are a great addition too. It is indeed Victorian Lace for Today as even my hip teenage daughter admires the shawls and scarfs wanting some for herself. It will be hard to decide which to do first. I am past being surprised when knitting books have errors in patterns, I assumed this one would also. One reviewer said the book has many errors. I will be sure to look online for corrections before starting any pattern but I do this anyway with every book.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Elena g.
5.0 out of 5 stars Calidad del producto
Reviewed in Mexico on March 8, 2022
Verified Purchase
Me encanto este libro, tiene excelentes fotos y cada uno de los dideños es un sueño.
Yo compre este libro por las foto y los paisajes y que da una explicacion de los lugares mostrados
Quede muy satisfecha con la compra
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SofieMZF
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic book with great variety of patterns.
Reviewed in the Netherlands on June 9, 2022
Verified Purchase
There is a great variety of patterns. They are beautiful. The foto's are fantastic.
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Yankee Fan
5.0 out of 5 stars By far the best lace knitting project book available
Reviewed in Germany on March 10, 2024
Verified Purchase
Exquisite modernized patterns presented in a variety of lace yarns auch as mohair, shetland lace, merino lace, silk lace. Outstanding and in a league of its own.
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anggrk
5.0 out of 5 stars バイブルです
Reviewed in Japan on May 5, 2024
Verified Purchase
一枚編むのに何年もかかってしまいますが、楽しく編んでいます。
とても素敵なモチーフがたくさん作れます。
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LauraLynn
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book on lace knitting-
Reviewed in France on December 18, 2014
Verified Purchase
I have bought several books on lace knitting and this one is full of different models to create, mainly shawls and scarves. The book is huge (196 pages), delves a into the history of Victorian lace knitters with modern versions created from models published in the 19th century and making up the bulk of the book. it's also beautifully illustrated. All patterns are chart or grid patterns only. I do not recommend this book for beginner lace knitters but intermediates and advanced lace knitters will find a host of models to choose from, each one more beautiful than the last.
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