Annette If you live in England and will be learning bobbin lace there, it might be best to follow English practice, since that is what teachers and other lacemakers there will be doing. English lacemakers work palms down, usually on a Honiton pillow or a cookie shaped pillow. As far as I can tell, ALL English lacemakers do half stitch CT, with cloth stitch CTC (although they may call this "whole stitch"), and "whole stitch with a twist" would be CTCT.
I have worked palms up on a cookie pillow and there is no problem with it. And also on a pillow with a roller insert. It is just that the palms down method is faster. Basically the best advice is to do whatever works best in your situation, or with whatever physical limitations you have. Perhaps you can find a lacemaker who lives near enough to you that you could meet her in person and ask her to allow you to try out her pillow, whatever kind she has. Try the palms up and palms down method to see if there is any significant difference for you in terms of physical comfort or freedom of movement. I think many lacemakers would find it reasonable to help out a newbie who isn't sure what kind of equipment to buy and who wants to try it out first. Or perhaps a local lacemaker can suggest a supplier who might have several kinds of pillows and who might be willing to let you try a few out in the shop before purchasing one. Happy hunting. Lorelei - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
