Re: [lace] Multi-part prickings tricky; skeins also tricky

[Brenda Paternoster]

My 1973 edition of the 1954 book “The Modern Textile & Apparel Dictionary
by Professor George E Linton published in USA  (He was a textiles teacher and
Dean of the textile department of Fashion Institute in New York) at describes
a skein as “an appreciable length of yarn or thread that has been wound onto
a reel or swift… the circumference of a skein varies, usually from 44 inches
to 54 inches…..

That is describing a skein as being in the same format a s a hank.  He does
not mention the centre pull rolls, balls, cakes etc, but it does now seem to
be common parlance in USA to describe centre pull balls as skeins.  In UK the
work skein is used more often for the small coils of embroidery cottons which
if you are very careful with it’s possible to pull a length without taking
the label off.  That’s how language evolves.

Or ask my husband, he would say it’s a group of flying geese!

Brenda


> On 7 Nov 2015, at 04:44,  
wrote:
>
> As we started getting more varieties of yarns, we got more varieties of
shapes of skeins.  We have balls (some but not all allowing center-pull),
hanks (the English skein, I guess), cones (those used to be for weavers),
'cakes' (short cylinders, diameter greater than length) and what-not.  My
experience is that 'skein' refers to the fact that there is a specific
quantity of yarn gathered together in an orderly shape, and the other terms
refer to the shape of the skein.  Even hand-spun and other non-commercial or
boutique yarns can be in 'skeins' usually in the shape of hanks or cakes.
This would be because ball-winders make cakes and swifts make hanks, and those
are the most commonly-available machines for winding skeins.

Brenda in Allhallows
paternos...@appleshack.com
www.brendapaternoster.co.uk

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[lace] vintage lace posted to Flickr

[hottleco]

Hello All!  While I was adding to my stash of vintage buttons today, the shop 
owner brought over a packet of lace to see if I was interested.  I was!  It is 
a tiny insertion--5/16"--comprised of spiders.  She thinks it is from Germany 
because it was in with a group of items she purchased from a German source.  It 
is wrapped in pale blue tissue & there is a label on the back "25,00" but no 
manufacturer.  I have not opened it yet but there seems to be several meters.  
I'd like to say that it is bobbin lace because of what I perceive to be pin 
holes.  Pictures are posted & expert commentary is welcome!  Many thanks for 
any suggestions as to what it might be.  Sincerely, Susan Hottle, Erie, PA USA  
 

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[lace] Venetian masks

[Susan]

Hello All!  While I was trying to sort out my Flickr issues, I ran across some 
photos of a mask decorated with lace.  It was in the Camera Roll section & 
added in March so I don't know who posted the photos.  Would you believe, I am 
registered for a "mask making class" in January & I was already thinking about 
a lace overlay as part of my embellishment!?!  The lace trim as pictured is 
above my pay grade, but I am in awe.  Will the person who posted the photos 
please share some additional info.  It is quite spectacular & something I would 
wear in a heartbeat! Many thanks.  Sincerely, Susan Hottle, Erie, PA USA 


Sent from my iPad

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