Does lace have to be knit on size 0 needles and take years to complete? No! Let this primer on knitted lace put any worries to rest. Go from a skein of fiber to a fantastic finished piece with this unique approach. Simple techniques, helpful hints, and an extraordinary palette of colorways will inspire you to play with the possibilities of hand-painted yarns. Create over a dozen scarves and shawls that guarantee no hassles with fitting or shaping--one size fits all Have fun with an incredible variety of exotic textures, colors, and fibers Catch on to techniques quickly with a bounty of specialized tips for patterns from beginning to advanced

In Caribbean history, the European colonial plantocracy created a cultural diaspora in which African slaves were torn from their ancestral homeland. In order to maintain vital links to their traditions and culture, slaves retained certain customs and nurtured them in the Caribbean. The creation of lace-bark cloth from the lagetta tree was a practice that enabled slave women to fashion their own clothing, an exercise that was both a necessity, as clothing provisions for slaves were poor, and empowering, as it allowed women who participated in the industry to achieve some financial independence. This is the first book on the subject and, through close collaboration with experts in the field including Maroon descendants, scientists and conservationists, it offers a pioneering perspective on the material culture of Caribbean slaves, bringing into focus the dynamics of race, class and gender. Focussing on the time period from the 1660s to the 1920s, it examines how the industry developed, the types of clothes made, and the people who wore them. The study asks crucial questions about the social roles that bark cloth production played in the plantation economy and colonial society, and in particular explores the relationship between bark cloth production and identity amongst slave women.

Modern, step-by-step approach shows how to create every variety of bobbin lace, from the simplest stitches to the most challenging patterns. Suitable for needleworkers at all levels. 279 illustrations.

This unique four-volume encyclopedia examines the historical significance of fashion trends, revealing the social and cultural connections of clothing from the precolonial times to the present day. This sweeping overview of fashion and apparel covers several centuries of American history as seen through the lens of the clothes we wear—from the Native American moccasin to Manolo Blahnik's contribution to stiletto heels. Through four detailed volumes, this work delves into what people wore in various periods in our country's past and why—from hand-crafted family garments in the 1600s, to the rough clothing of slaves, to the sophisticated textile designs of the 21st century. More than 100 fashion experts and clothing historians pay tribute to the most notable garments, accessories, and people comprising design and fashion. The four volumes contain more than 800 alphabetical entries, with each volume representing a different era. Content includes fascinating information such as that beginning in 1619 through 1654, every man in Virginia was required to plant a number of mulberry trees to support the silk industry in England; what is known about the clothing of enslaved African Americans; and that there were regulations placed on clothing design during World War II. The set also includes color inserts that better communicate the visual impact of clothing and fashion across eras.

From weekday office to weekend casual, this collection of handknit sweater designs combines simple knitting with timeless style. A special section on achieving a great fit will have knitters reaching for these comfy classics first. Fourteen sweater designs spotlight simple knit-and-purl patterns, plus a few easy adventures in color work Instructions are provided for a variety of sweater sizes to fit busts from 30" to 54" Information on "wearing ease" will help you choose the right size to knit for a perfect fit

A lavish wedding marries two of the most sacred tenets of American culture - romantic love and excessive consumption. This work offers a look at the historical, social and psychological strains that come together to make it the most important cultural ritual in contemporary consumer culture.