Click here for how to work the lace.
Once you have finished the pattern, or want to stop, then you need to finish the lace. You could just cut off the bobbins. After all, when you buy a strip of lace, it is just cut to length. However, if you do that, then a little bit of lace will unravel. You spent time working that lace, and you do not want to lose any of it!
So it is best to tie off the threads. Do this while all the pins are still in place. You can either use overhand knots or reef knots. Overhand knots make a fringe along the bottom, which is quite attractive. But if you want a more inconspicuous finish, use reef knots. However, reef knot ends to stick out, so they need trimming.
Unwind a pair of bobbins (for reef knots) or two pairs (for overhand knots). You need enough thread to actually tie the knot (plus a bit for luck). Cut off the rest. Take the threads and tie them in the knot. Overhand knots tend to tighten too far away from the lace. A pin put inside the knot before it is tightened can help to slide it as close to the lace as you can get it. Reef knots are easier to tighten, especially if the threads are either side of a pin. You can always put a pin in if the pattern does not have one. Once the knot is tied and tightened, trim the threads. The overhand knots are trimmed to make the fringe. The reef knots must be trimmed close to the knot. But not too close, or the knot may come undone! The photo below shows both an overhand knot fringe, and reef knots. Perhaps the reef knots need a closer trim.
Once all the threads are tied off, you can remove all the pins, take the lace off the pillow, and admire it!
There is always thread left over from the bobbins. You might be able to use some of it if you want to sew the lace to something. But quite frankly I just throw it away. Thread is cheap.
© Jo Edkins 2016 - return to lace index