Handwoven Laces

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by Donna Muller
152 pages, Interweave Press

I don't have to tell you how good this book is; it's been reprinted and then gone out of print a second time. That should tell you all you need to know.

However, that makes for a short review, so I'll share my experiences with this book.

Our local weaver's study group, Warped Ones, accepted me as a member a year ago. At that time, we chose to study lace weaving, using Donna Muller's Handwoven Laces as our guide. I found a copy in my local yarn store's bookcase—there are still some new copies out there— so the $100+ price that pops up on Amazon.com doesn't have to stop you from finding a copy at regular retail.

A year later, I am pleased to have a much better understanding not only of lace but also of fabric design after working through the chapters of Handwoven Laces. Although not the most prolific weaver of our group (I wove a huck sampler, two huck-lace tea towels, five Spot-Bronson washcloths, and a Swedish-lace scarf) I have a much better appreciation of all the lace structures in the book. I'll be referring to Handwoven Laces as I learn more about weaving, and I'm sure it will open up new vistas to me each time I return to it.

Donna Muller starts with the simplest lace structures—basket weave and canvas weave, then progresses through more complex structures: huck, Bronson, and Swedish lace. In all cases she describes the structure, shows how to weave it on a four harness loom, and then expands it to eight harnesses. Multishaft weavers can adapt Handwoven Lace's design methods to even more shafts—there are 12-shaft and 16-shaft threadings in the appendix. Her detail is wonderful, leading you to design your own fabric or use some of the drafts included in the book.
The book discusses other ways to achieve lacey fabrics, including examples of lace treadling on other weave structures such as overshot and summer and winter—weave structures still on this reviewer's to-try list.

There are very useful discussions of sett, the need to finish the fabric to open up the lace, and clever photographs showing each weave used in lovely fabrics, mats, and scarves. The book is rich with drawings, drafts and drawdowns, black and white photographs and color photographs in its 152 pages.

I am glad to have had the opportunity to study lace weaving with Handwoven Laces. If you want to explore lace weaving, or simply like to study specific weave structures, this book will open up lace for you.

Amelia Garripoli is thrilled to share the fun of fiber with others. Her blog, Ask The Bellwether
is the tip of the iceberg. Amelia writes magazine articles and pamphlets on many fiber topics. Her book Spindling: The Basics is a recognized asset for the new spindler to own. Amelia runs The Bellwether and teaches at fiber festivals and guilds in the Pacific Northwest. Amongst all that, she plays with fiber at home in Port Angeles, Washington.