:: Summer 2016 
Review
The Magic of Shetland Lace Knitting
Author Elizabeth Lovick has written a marvelous book, The Magic of Shetland Lace Knitting (ISBN: 978-1-250-03908-8), to inform and inspire knitters from novices to experts. You know you are in for an interesting read when the forward proclaims, “Why I love Shetland lace.”
The Table of Contents is divided into three main sections: Essential Techniques; Stitch Directory; and Projects. CyberFibres is pleased to report that the author has included a useful Index, followed by Abbreviations and Symbols for knitting stitches.
The Stitch Directory is presented in two formats. The first shows a small photograph of a swatch of each lace knitting stitch in color. This allows the reader to peruse knitted samples of each stitch quickly. The second format provides a larger color photo of each stitch accompanied by written directions and/or a stitch symbols chart. Ms. Lovick explains that some lace knitting stitches require greater concentration by the knitter, and assigns each pattern a concentration number from 1 to 3. Level 1 patterns come with both written instructions and a symbols chart. A Level 2 pattern may come with written instructions and a symbols chart or with a symbols chart only. Level 3 patterns are presented with symbols charts only.
As the author points out, the knitter may use a wide variety of yarn thicknesses to design projects using lace knitting stitches. CyberFibres has found The Magic of Lace Knitting to be a valuable, constant resource, and recommends it to all knitters.