More on Bobbin Lace

Okay, so here are a few pictures of some bobbin lace in progress..

In this first pic, you can see the bobbins wound with the thread.. You only work with 4 bobbins at a time. 2 on the left, and 2 on the right. There are only two movements in weaving the lace. A twist, which moves to the left, and a cross, which moves to the right. As with knitting, every stitch is a variation of those two movements.

The stitches are held in place with a pin, which is later removed as you work your way through the pattern.

The second pic shows the lace being made with the pattern underneath. You can see the pins holding the stitches in place.

Depending on the pattern, the lace can either be worked in sections and then joined, or straight across from left to right, and then back right to left.





The last picture shows the lace after the pins have been removed and you can see the finished product. This lace in particular is an authentic pattern from 1559 AD England.

The lace is made of gold thread, and I made 12 feet of it. It took me about 5 weeks to complete the project.

You can also see the pillow that the lace is made on. This pillow, often called a cookie pillow, has a wood bottom, and is stuffed with foam. The foam right under the cotten covering is a sturdier foam, so the pins are held secure as the weaver tugs and pulls on the bobbins.

So thats my little tour of bobbin lace. You can find all sorts of videos on You Tube and on Google or Bing. Or you can just ask me.. Im full of info ;)

Christmas Temari Balls

Okay, so Ive been working on making some temari for my family for Christmas. A few of my coworkers noticed what I was doing and wanted to learn.. so Ive been teaching them.

LOL they are now happily making their own. :) Yay! Im taking over the woooooorrrrld!

okay maybe not the world, but its a start.

Anyways, so whats Temari? Well Temari started in Japan around the 8th century. It was originally made from scraps of kimono wound into tight balls and then embroidered with silk as toys for children. The nobles caught on and would challenge each other to see who could come up with more intricate designs. It is still an existing art today and are given as gifts for special occassions, and symbolize friendship and good luck.

Here a a few that I have done so far. I am by no means an expert. Im more of a beginner.

Ive mastered the two centers, meaning two designs are on each ball.

The more skilled you are, the more centers you can work into each ball. Ive seen some upto 12 centers! They are just beautiful. Check out google or bing to see more.

Ok so whats Bobbin lace?

Alrighty, for those that dont know what bobbin lace is.. Ill inform you here and now. :)

Bobbin lace is lace made by weaving bobbins wound with thread back and forth in different patterns. The weaving is held in place with pins, and later removed and the pattern progresses.

Here is an example on how bobbin lace is made.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiTqdr38tTU

Ill come in and post a pic of some lace Ive made when I have more time ;)

New Blog

ok so since Im always making things (since Im super crafty and all) I thought I'd start a blog for those people who are interested in seeing the numberous things I make.

Just started to take up knitting. Im working on my first pair of socks. :) Those are them...

Anways, lets see what else I make.. I crochet, I now knit, I make bobbin lace, I dabble in Japanese Temari balls, I bead, I do embroider some... Ill post pics and blogs about each project Im working on...

Feel free to add comments as you will.

Here's two more pics of some super cute stripey socks Ive made also. I think they turned out really nice.