Beginner's Guide to Bobbin Lace

Explore the world of Bobbin Lace with this book, which takes you through simple Torchon ground pieces to scarves, purse and bags.

Bobbin lace may look complicated when you see a pillow set up with dozens of bobbins, but it will seem far less daunting when you realise that only four bobbins (two pairs) are in use at any one time, and there are only two moves twist and cross that you can do.

While the basic lace stitches are common to all types of bobbin lace, different lacemaking traditions developed different ways of putting these stitches together. Bruges lace, for example, uses less than a dozen pairs of bobbins and a relatively coarse thread to create curved braids and flower-like motifs which are linked to form the fabric; on the other hand point ground laces, such as Chantilly or Bucks Point, are worked from one end to the other in fine silk or cotton and may need a hundred pairs or more.

Book Contents

Introduction 6
Materials 8
The Bookmark Collection 14
Basic techniques 16
Four strand plait 18
Cloth stitch bookworm 22
Half stitch bookworm 28
Torchon ground bookmark 30
Torchon bookmark with spiders 34
Torchon bookmark with diamonds 38
Torchon bookmark with trails 42
Additional techniques 46
Four Seasons 50
Spring Purse 52
Summer Scarf 56
Summer Bag 62
Autumn Cushion 66
Winter Scarf 70
Patterns 78
Index 80