From: Carol Adkinson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > I know you will all be rushing to help - I am wondering what the > 'beginners'book on Needlelace is called! > > another question. Is the > needlelacepillow absolutely necessary?
Needlelace can be done in the hand. When using a pillow (a bolster pillow or the roller from a roller pillow will work), you add a dowel under the part of the pattern where you're currently working. Instead of a pillow and dowel, you can wrap the pattern around your finger. Personally, I prefer working on a pillow, but it's not required. The purpose of the finger or the dowel is to get enough curve to easily get the needle under the edge cord or the existing stitches, without catching other threads. I think both Pat Earnshaw and Jill Nordfors Clark have books on needlelace stitches (and getting started/set up) that would be useful. They show the stitches with pearl cotton, which is also what I used to learn and to teach friends. When I taught, I used plastic canvas and made a series of squares on it (also with pearl cotton) just by backstitching or double-running-stitching through the canvas. This was to set areas for trying the stitches, not something that could be removed and made into a picture or jewelry or anything. More normal is a design on cardstock under film, rather like a bobbin lace pricking. The edging cord is couched to this and the cardstock helps keep the work from distorting if you roll it over your finger to work. Robin P. Los Angeles, California, USA (formerly Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) [EMAIL PROTECTED] - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
