
New Vintage Lace is available now from Interweave, and features shawls, scarves, wraps, and hats that Andrea designed based on original lace doily patterns.
A nurse and wonderful lace designer, Andrea has a structured way of working that I find inspiring. The book is beautiful, and the projects timeless. I had the pleasure of interviewing Andrea as I explored the pages of her book.
Read through the interview, and then find out how you can win your very own copy of New Vintage Lace!
I started by asking her who taught her to knit, and how did she feel the heritage of knitting might have inspired the path to this book: [AJ]: My grandmother taught me to knit as a child. I was immediately interested in traditional techniques, like how to turn a sock heel and make cables. Lace came right after that and I am interested in lace from all different eras and techniques. This book is all about vintage lace techniques, with an updated flavor. [KW]: I know a lot of nurses that knit. Do you have a knit group at work? (or do you bring a project with you to work?) [AJ]: I ALWAYS have knitting with me. I knit when I travel (as long as I am not the driver.) I knit during long plane flights, and discovered during a flight to Southeast Asia I can actually sleep lightly and knit. I knit in meetings and conferences. I knit during my lunch breaks at work. I do not have a formal group at work, but several other knitters often join me for lunch. One is a dentist and another an administrator in radiology. Sometimes another nurse. One of our financial people learned to knit with us and is loving it. | New Vintage Lace By Andrea Jurgrau Interweave/F+W; $24.99 |
[KW]: Which project in the collection is your favorite and why? [AJ]: My favorite project is always the one currently on my needles. Once the project is done and written up I let it go! So I really do not have a favorite. I think I knit Kodama the most times, because I tweaked the design once and then the yarn I originally used was discontinued! But I actually enjoyed knitting all of them. [KW]: What do you do with all those swatches? Do they live in a collection in your home? In a treasured box? [AJ]: More than swatches, I have full samples. I always knit things myself before sending them out for a test knit. I store my samples in zippered pillow cases in boxes. I actually have to go through them and catalog them. One of these days I will have to give some away, because they are starting to take up way too much space! |
[AJ]: Only three? That is tough. Elizabeth Zimmermann would be right up there. How about Herbert Neibling? Maybe Marianne Kinzel? But I would also love to chat with Hazel Carter and Evelyn Clark. EZ was the knitting author I first found as a teenager and I loved her approached. No spoon feeding. Knitting is for thinking people. She taught me that there are no rules knitters have to follow. I would love to chat with Mr. Neibling about his design process and charting. But if I think more about it I could continue on with the list of knitters I want to meet!
[KW]: How do you store/catalog your vintage patterns?
[AJ]: I keep them in binders on a shelf, but have started to scan them and have many stored on my computer/CDs now. I have them in folders by style and or probable designer.
[KW]: Any plans for another book?
[AJ]: Indeed. I already have more than half of the pieces knit and out with test knitter! Say no more!
[KW]: Is there a "purl of wisdom" that you'd like to share with other knitter/crocheters out there?
[AJ]: I like to remind people that knitting is a pleasure. I knit as the "zen" in my otherwise hectic and often emotionally draining professional life as a healthcare provider. Knitting is about the process for me. I also spin yarn, for the same pleasure. Try not to get hung up on the product and live more in the process. It works for me!
DRAWING! (completed)
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Congratulations, Sara Greer - you're the winner!
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