More Shetland Lace

Shetland lace is one of the most beautiful techniques in knitting. This new book, A Legacy of Shetland Lace, is about more than just knitting. It has history, tradition, personal stories, and culture as well as knitting. I especially like the stories of the knitters who have patterns in the book.

The book is great as a stand-alone story of Shetland knitting. But if you love Shetland lace, your library also must include Heirloom Knitting by Sharon Miller; Shetland Lace by Gladys Amedro; and The Art of Shetland Lace by Sarah Don. The new publication is a wonderful addition to our knowledge and love of Shetland lace.

The only problem I have with A Legacy of Shetland Lace is deciding which pattern to knit first.

New Skills

I picked up this pattern because it contained two techniques I have never done before, and because I had some yarn in stash that would be suitable.

The first technique is a Shetland construction of the center triangle. Maybe I have done this before, but not recently. The other technique is working with different sizes of needles to create the stripe effect. I like the Shetland construction but I am not as crazy about the two-needle-sizes technique but I think it works here and I am glad I tried it. I really like a picot bind-off, which I have done before.

The details:

• Pattern: Simmer Dim by Gudrun Johnson at The Shetland Trader.
• Yarn: Louet Gems, 100% merino wool, 185 yards/50 grams, 2 skeins, Pink Panther
• Needles: US5 and US10
• Finished size: 15 inches center back