This could be used as a Christmas tree decoration. Click here for more Christmas decorations.
Pattern:
Bobbins: 14 pairs (11 gleamy white, 3 dark blue)
Style: Torchon
Stitches:
half stitch
cloth stitch
cloth stitch and twist
twist pair
Details:
Torchon ground (grey)
cloth strip (red)
footside without passives (grey)
how to work a roundel
how to work a helix
Description:
Follow the links above for explanation of how to work the different parts of the lace. The edges are footsides without passives. Twist the outer edge three times between stitches for extra strength.
The worker pairs for the stripes are a different colour. There are three such pairs, and they travel through the ground. It is vital that these pairs are in the right place to get to colour the relevant diagonal strip (by being workers) so the lines are coloured blue in the pattern. These worker pairs will naturally use more thread than the other pairs.
The start is along a diagonal, so one pair starts at each pin. Above, I have marked where the pairs actually start. Use pinholes above for false pins if you wish.
Structurely, the helix works surprisingly well. I recommend a tie (a piece of thread) at top and bottom. This means that if the spiral starts to droop round the edge, you can hang it upside down for a bit until it recovers. It looks the same, either way up!
This pattern was a development of pattern 318. I left out the gimps as they didn't seem to be necesssary. Rather than a zigzag, this attempts to produce spirals (which should produce interesting effects as the helix turns). However, the dark blue pairs had to travel from one diagonal strip to another, which unfortunately produced spirals in the opposite direction. The dark blue thread I used was very thin as well (it was a metallic thread), so the diagonal strips don't show up that well. I worked this in three complete circles (pattern 318 was only worked in two) which certainly produces a nice long spiral, but I must admit I got bored with working the pattern by the end! Also the paper pattern was getting very worn, and ripped in places.
© Jo Edkins 2017 - return to lace index