Nancy and all These definitions are always a problem. I have trouble understanding why someone using a knitting machine would join a contest for hand knitting. The only reason that makes sense is when the machines first came out and were still very rare. A woman has one, uses it, and wants to show off what she can do. But the skill set for operating a knitting machine is quite different, I think, from the skills a hand knitter needs. Once the machines become common, comparing yourself to others who use the same machine makes more sense.
As for lace definitions, myself, I have no problem with a very broad definition: any textile with holes is lace. ( I especially like the definition of "holes surrounded by thread") . It doesn't matter to me if it incorporates some machine made elements, such as Battenberg or Carrickmacross (both of which are lace, I think). Embroidery on net is lace. Embroidery which makes holes in fabric is lace -- Hardanger, pulled thread, reticella, cutwork, drawnwork. A large part of the reason is that all these forms present similar problems for designing them. Lace is about juxtaposing dense areas and open transparent areas. It is about presenting a variety of weaves and textures in a way that keeps the eye moving and roaming all over it. It is about textures added to the density variations. Even though a lot of modern lace, of any description, uses color, the essential thing about lace is this variety of textures and densities. But I still would not put bobbin tape lace and Battenberg in the same competition, nor Carrickmacross and Limerick. Although it might be interesting to set up a competition for, say, collars. Specify a peter pan shaped collar, must be white or cream, must be 4 inches deep, use any lace technique whatsoever, including Hardanger and Battenberg, embroidered net, bobbin lace, needle lace. And judge on the basis of good lace design, good juxtaposition of dense and open. And specifiy that all the collars will be judged from a distance of 15 feet, the judges will not be allowed to get closer. (You would have to announce it far in advance, because the needlelacers need much more time to finish a piece than the others do.) Lorelei - To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [email protected]. For help, write to [email protected]. Photo site: http://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003
