This could be used for a Christmas tree decoration.
| Pattern: |  |
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Bobbins: 14 pairs
Style: Torchon
Stitches:
half stitch
cloth stitch and twist
Details:
Torchon ground
twisted footside
how to work a corner
how to finish
Description:
The first problem with this square is where you start and where (and how) you finish, since there is no top and bottom. Instead, there is a horizontal yellow line across the pattern. This will be the start, and every pin hole on that line has two pairs on it, as before. The diagram below shows which colour should startwhere (there isn't room on the main pattern!)
The second problem is - how do you go round the corners? This is exactly the same as the straight Torchon ground pattern except it is worked in several straight bits (the sides) down to a diagonal yellow line, but not beyond. When you get to the yellow line, turn the pillow so the next part of the pattern goes in the direction you want, then move the bobbins so they hand downwards (rather than all being to one side). Click here for more detail.
Now work the lace, turning the pillow when you get to the yellow corner lines. Take out the back pins as you go, as normal. This is even more necessary as usual, as otherwise the threads start catching on pins as you turn the pillow. However, you must leave the first two rows of pins, where you started. It may help to keep some pins round the corners as well, especially at the corners. These pins will also catch on the threads, so you need to push them into the pillow, right up to their heads.
Finally, you will find that the end of the worked lace meets up with the start, which means that you have finished. Now, take one pin at a time. Remove a starting pin from the edge of the lace. (The second pin stays in. That's the point of this second row of pins at the start - to keep the lace firm as you do this finishing off.) There are two pairs of threads which need to be attached to the starting loop at this point. Unwind one bobbin from one pair, thread the thread through a needle, and get the thread through the starting loop. Unwind a bobbin from the other pair. You now have two threads. Tie them together with a reef knot. Do the same with the other two bobbins. Move onto the next start pin, and so on.
Close up of the lace, so you can see the working in more detail
© Jo Edkins 2018 - return to lace index