We’ve been eagerly awaiting the release of the latest in Kay Gardiner and Ann Shayne’s perennially popular Field Guide series — and now that it’s here, let me say, our impatience has been justified and rewarded. Field Guide No. 15 is called Open and is all about beautiful, modern lace, brought to you by knitting industry legend, Jeanette Sloan.

If you’ve not had the pleasure of perusing a Field Guide before, here’s what you get — a beautiful little book (perfect for popping in your knitting bag) chock full of patterns and stories to inspire the curious knitter. They’re always filled with the sorts of projects that I want on my needles yesterday. One of the things I love about this latest offering is it’s all about keeping your (lace) options open … in terms of difficulty level (ranges from beginner to intermediate), project type (accessories and a garment!) and gauge (no less than three of the five patterns are written for two gauges). Here’s a peek at the projects , along with some yarn pairing ideas.

Mood Cardigan (Our Yarn Suggestion: Stolen Stitches Nua)

It is hard to say how much I love this easy cardigan. Designed so it can be worn two ways for two different looks, it features an easy fit and gorgeous, architectural lace. The design requires 2840–3550 yards (2597–3246 m) of laceweight yarn held double, or alternatively, 1420–1775 yards (1300– 1623 m) of sport or 4ply yarn. It would be a showstopper in Stolen Stitches Nua. (When subbing yarn, do just make sure to swatch and make sure your tension is correct and you’re happy with the fabric!)

Rib Lace Scarf (Our Yarn Suggestion: Fyberspates Vivacious DK, 1-2 skeins)

This simple but effective lace scarf covers the basics of lace knitting and let’s beautiful skeins really shine. It’s perfect  if you are new to lace knitting – or a little run down with life! It allows you to practise working yarn overs and decreases, on a simple short pattern, thus building your confidence. Written for two gauges, we love the way this pattern shows off the semi-solid shades of Fyberspates Vivacious DK.  One 115g skein would make a scarf around 1m long, whilst 2 skeins would make a more generous size, 2m long.

Tumbling Block Lace Scarf (Our Yarn Suggestions: Fyberspates Scrumptious 4ply, 2 skeins or Something to Knit With Aran, 4 skeins)

Another gorgeous scarf pattern written for two gauges, this one to stretch your lace knitting muscles. This thin clever scarf is knit sideways and made up of just 26 rows — you work the chart once (albeit, over rather long rows) and you’re done! A long thin scarf, knitted sideways in a beautiful, geometric lace pattern. We think it would look amazing in 2 skeins of Fyberspates Scrumptious 4ply or 4 skeins of Something to Knit With Aran for squishier, chunkier version.

Clerestory Shawl (Our Yarn Suggestion: Coop Knits Socks Yeah! 4ply, 6 skeins or Something to Knit With Aran, 10 skeins)

Worked end to end, the Clerestory Shawl uses the rib lace and tumbling blocks patterns of Open’s two scarves, giving you the chance to practise either (or both) stitch patterns before tackling this beautiful trapezium shaped shawl. Worked end to end and written for two weights, it requires 1420 yarns (1300m) of light fingering weight yarn – 6 skeins of Coop Knits Socks Yeah! 4ply would be ideal or 910 yards (830m) of aran weight yarn – 10 skeins of Something to Knit With Aran would make for the cosiest shawl!  

Aperture Stole

This stole is a billowy, light, and enveloping confection that melds two different yarns (in three different colors). Jeanette chose a lace pattern that looks random (even though it isn’t), then added in the extra effect of changing the way the yarns are combined, resulting in exciting oscillations of color, texture, and motif. 

I’ve had fun doing a little swatching … the only challenge is, which project to cast on first?

You can scoop up your copy of Field Guide No. 15 in the online shop (and why not stock up on some of the previous Field Guides while you’re at it?) I’ve also filmed a few lace lace tutorials to accompany this newest Field Guide — you can find them on our YouTube channel! Which project will you cast on first?