Carol James

Mme. Lemye’s Lace, Volume 1
Sprang Lace from the Collection of the Art and History Museum, Brussels, Belgium Charts and patterns by Carol James

This work contains written and charted sprang lace patterns based on sprang textile holdings at the Art and History Museum in Brussels, Belgium. It contains an introduction to sprang, this collection, and its provenance by Curator Ria Coorman, an Introduction to the volume by Carol James, and maker’s notes and descriptions by modern sample maker Debbie McClelland.

While descriptions of Carol’s pattern writing and a review of sprang basics are included, the work is aimed at individuals who have already mastered the interlinking stitch in sprang; the book Sprang Unsprung or the DVD Introduction to Sprang, available from taprootvideo, are recommended as a beginner’s starting place.

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Sprang Patterns and Charts
Inspired by samples in the collection of Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum

This work contains written and charted sprang lace patterns based on sprang textile holdings at the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum in Decorah, Iowa, with an introduction by Carol James, Provenance and historical notes by Chief Curator Laurann Gilbertson, and maker’s notes and descriptions by modern sample maker Sharon Wichman.

While descriptions of Carol’s pattern writing and a review of sprang basics are included, the work is aimed at individuals who have already mastered the interlinking stitch in sprang; the work Sprang Unsprung is recommended as beginner’s starting place.

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Sprang Lace Patterns Inspired by Dutch Sashes

This book contains 77 written and charted sprang lace patterns, from geometric motifs including diamonds, stars and squares, to the figurative such as birds, deer, ships, and people, to imaginative motifs including mermaids and angels. Inspired by a book featuring some 47 sprang sashes from Dutch Guilds from the 1700s, it is aimed at individuals who have already mastered the interlinking stitch in sprang.

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Sprang Lace Patterns

Sprang Lace Patterns, 25 of them, taken from a variety of sources, and de-coded by sprang expert Carol James.

Sprang is an ancient textile method where every row of work results in two rows of mirror-image cloth. A variety of stitches are possible with this technique …. Including some very lacy stitches. This book draws on a rich history and introduces sprang lace patterns to individuals who have mastered the interlinking stitch in sprang.

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Fingerweaving Untangled

Fingerweaving is a method to make sturdy pieces of cloth without a loom. You need only the yarn, your fingers, an attachment site, and perhaps a pair of sticks.

Straps, bags, neckscarves and sashes are some of the uses for the ancient textile method called fingerweaving. A wide variety of patterns are possible, including horizontal stripes, diagonal and vertical stripes, sawtooth, chevron, and lightning patterns. These can be as colorful as your yarn stash.

This book contains clear, concise instructions. It includes step-by-step diagrams and photos, as well as patterns for a number of motifs. Fingerweaving Untangled is consistently acclaimed as the best book you can find on fingerweaving.

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Fingerweaving Untangled, left-handed edition

Carol’s left-handed friends expressed their disappointment that the original version of Fingerweaving Untangled is exceedingly right-handed. Now for you, the left-handed, here is a left-handed version of Fingerweaving Untangled, featuring appropriately oriented images and instructions that are all left-handed.

This volume returns to Carol’s original drawings…. The left-handed version

This book contains clear, concise left-handed instructions. It includes step-by-step diagrams and photos, as well as patterns for a number of motifs. Fingerweaving Untangled is consistently acclaimed as the best book you can find on fingerweaving.

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Sprang Unsprung

Sprang is an ancient, very adaptable textile method. This book introduces you to the technique with little equipment necessary. Once you have picked up the basic technique, continue on to create other fabric structures that vary from dense to lacy. Many of these cloth structures have a natural stretchiness that will not diminish with time.

An incredibly wide variety of garments including socks, vests, leggings, gloves and baby bonnets have been made in the past using these techniques. Other textiles for the home have also been made of sprang such as tablecloths, doilies and curtains. The technique has come up repeatedly in history and this book will help you to discover why.

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Finger Weaving Instructions

At long last, clear video instructions for fingerweaving. Carol James has been fingerweaving for more than 30 years and has perfected the finger movements. Many have learned from her book Fingerweaving Untangled. For those who want to see the hand movements, this is the video for you.

Fingerwoven belts and bags are traditional in several parts of North America. The technique goes by different names: Ceinture Fleche, yarn belts, and arrow sashes. This video leads you step by step through the learning process.

Fingerweaving is a no-loom method for producing cloth. Highly transportable; all you need are your fingers, yarn, two sticks, and a firm place to attach. This video assumes no previous weaving or braiding experience. It offers detailed instructions on the method showing you how to use your fingers to manipulate the threads, and demystifies a series of pattern variations.

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Introduction to Sprang

Sprang is a simple technique that is as versatile as knitting or crochet – but with the added benefit of getting two rows of work for each one row made! Sprang can be used to make hats, scarves, mittens, socks, vests… endless possibilities! In this 65 minute video, you will learn from the top teacher in the field, Carol James, who is well known as the artist who reproduced George Washington’s military sash – in sprang open-work lace.

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A Taste of the Sprang Technique

Sprang is probably something you never heard of. Here is your chance to learn about this ancient, under-appreciated technique of interlacement, that’s faster than knitting and gives two rows of cloth for every row of work! This video shows how to make two friendship bracelets at the same time and all you need is yarn and tape on the tabletop.

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