Weronika I have seen torchon on a grid other than the standard diamond. In DMC's La Dentelle aux Fuseaux (all torchon) there is a pattern with a flattened grid. But yes, torchon is always designed on a grid. That is done to keep all the threads in the proper relation to each other. All straight laces, except perhaps Bedfordshire, are designed on a grid.
The term "free lace" or "part lace" (both interchangeable terms) doesn't really have to do with whether the lace was designed on a grid, or whether it is geometric. It means that the solid parts, usually flowers and leaf shapes, are made separately, and the ground is worked afterwards. Or that the design motifs are connected where ever convenient with a crochet hook or needlepin. In free lace your working direction changes constantly, you may have many discrete motifs which each require being hung in and ended separately. One is constantly doing sewings to connect various parts. There is a straight lace called "free hand lace", which used to be called "Swedish pinless lace", also known as "Scania lace". This type has pins only on the outside and the interior of the lace is kept in shape by careful tension control. But because all the connection between parts are done as the lace is being made, it is still a continuous or straight lace. Weronika, once you've learned torchon and tape lace, and perhaps Cluny, you will understand what "free lace" means. You might try studying the "identification" page of my website, where I have the photos divided by structural classes: straight laces first, then free laces. Study the photos in their enlarged sizes carefully and try to see the direction that the threads move in, especially in the cloth stitch sections. In straight lace the clothwork is always vertical and horizontal. In free laces the clothwork curves around and changes direction. http://www.loreleihalley.com/identification.htm Lorelei - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
