During my recent study of the art of heirloom lace knitting, I came across a very timely piece of history.
One of my recent birthday gifts was this wonderful book by Margaret Stove called Wrapped In Lace: Knitted Heirloom Designs From Around The World.
One of my recent birthday gifts was this wonderful book by Margaret Stove called Wrapped In Lace: Knitted Heirloom Designs From Around The World.
I've only skimmed the surface of it so far, but I am quite entranced by the story of how she came to lace knitting. Over the years Margaret Stove has become a leading expert on handknitted superfine lace and perhaps her greatest claim to fame is the commission she was appointed to by the High Country Sheep Breeders of the South Island of New Zealand. Using one of their prize winning merino fleeces, she was asked to spin and knit a shawl to mark the birth of the Prince and Princess of Wales' first child, William.
Margaret did just that, also designing each motif taking care to include elements of New Zealand's natural world. You can read the whole story of the shawls construction in the book and, yes, it was so fine that the finished piece could be pulled through a wedding ring!
Since reading this story at the weekend, I've come across it again and again. With Prince William's wedding to Catherine Middleton only hours away now, memories of his mother's wedding and William's birth back in the '80's are everywhere.
Princess Diana spawned a fashion in wedding dresses that lasted for years. Some 8 years after her wedding, I got married myself and had the puff-sleeves, long train and large bow as part of my wedding dress design. Slub silk was still in vogue and I did the Sarah Ferguson thing and wore fresh flowers in my hair.
Like her, I was a country girl!
I'm excited to see just what Miss Middleton will present us with on her big day. You can be sure that people will be copying her style for years to come. She may not be blessed with a handmade shawl to wear, but you can guarantee that she will wear a dress fit for a princess.
I wish the royal couple every happiness in their life together.......and myself some sleep. (Television coverage of the wedding starts at 1am here on the west coast of America!)
Links Featuring Margaret Stove:
Margaret's website
Knitsch: Margaret's Granddaughter, Tash.
Spinning Daily: Article about Margaret's spinning.
Knitty Blog: Fyberspates Give-away
Oh, lovely. Will you be tackling that one of these days? It would be stunning in purple, don't you think?
ReplyDeleteSomeday I'll work up the nerve to knit with lace-weight yarn. Maybe this book would help.
ReplyDeleteFabulous story, and I hadn't heard it.
ReplyDeleteThe shawl is relly beautiful; it must have taken hundreds of hours to knit. i wouldn't have the patience, prefer the "grow-fast" myself!
Enjoy the wedding day. Coverage starts here at 8.30 am, and I'll be glued to it!
sooo lovely of you to post this - thank you very much! It would be a treat to see a pic of you in your wedding attire - would you ever consider this? The wedding begins at 4:00am my time - will be up and checking it all out!
ReplyDeleteThat shawl is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI thought Kate's dress was gorgeous.
Sounds like a good book and what an interesting story about the shawl.
ReplyDeleteWow that shawl is quite a piece! Absolutely beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI have the book and am trying to get my courage up to make some of the patterns. They're all beautiful.
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