This is traditionally worked without pins, which can be tricky. There are several half stitches to be tightened, and it is useful to have a pin to tighten against. However, the pin must not be in the centre of the stitch, as this might cause a hole.
So I put the pin afterwards, so the stitch rests on top of the pin. It still needs careful tightening, to make sure that the mini-plait does not end up lop-sided.
See pattern 307.
Working: 3 half stitches, pin, twist both pairs.
I have not provided an animation for this stitch. These old grounds are fairly similar to each other. They are important for lace history identification, and of course if you want to make lace within a specific lace tradition, then you have to use the correct ground. However, these are not my lace traditions, so I am just describing them for completeness. I would advise that you learn simpler grounds before trying this, for example, double Torchon ground. Once you've done that, you won't need an animation!
There seems to be a bit of confusion around Mechlin ground. I have given 3 half stitches, as in "A Lace Guide for Makers and Collectors" by Gertrude Whiting (1920). However, I have seen other authorities describe Mechlin ground as having 4 half stitches (which I describe as Brussels ground). There does seem to be a certain amount of agreement that Brussels ground should have a longer plait (more half stitches) than Mechlin ground. Perhaps there was variation within the Mechin lace tradition! There might also be a certain amount of variation in the number of twists after the stitch. I am not an expert on all this!
© Jo Edkins 2017 - return to lace index