Katelyn wrote.
<<I had been doing 3t pin 3t, as described in the book I have been learning
from, with little success. The two threads always popped apart when I took
the pin out. Another, much older, book it suggested 6t pin, which worked a
lot better. Based on this discussion, I will start giving 7t a try.
Picots are one of the challenges I am struggling with as a beginner.>>
Pamela Nottingham's book "The Technique of Bobbin Lace" says:-
"Take the two left hand threads of the plait, and Tw3. Take a pin in the
right hand and hold it- point to the left- over the extreme left thread.
Bring the point under the thread towards the worker and over into the picot
hole. Keep it loosely around the pin. Take the other thread and put it
around the same pin, bringing it to the front and clockwise behind. Twist
the two threads together three times more, and pull tightly together. The
threads should run twisted together about the pin to form a sound double
picot. If the threads remain as two separate loops when the pin is removed
the picot is incorrect. This happens when threads are tightened separately
before the final twist are added"
For a right hand picot you would Tw3 the two threads and hold the pin under
the extreme right hand thread, then bring the point over the thread towards
the worker and place the pin in the hole. Wind the other thread anti
clockwise round the same pin and twist 3 again before tightening the
threads.
I think it might not be the number of twist you are using that is the
problem but the fact that you could be tensioning the threads "before"
putting the Tw3 on the threads after putting up the pin. If this is what you
are doing then try keeping the threads slack until you have done the Tw3
after the pin and then tension the threads tightly, as in the instructions
above, and see what happens.
This book is a very good one to have a copy of for anyone learning bobbin
lace making and especially, I would think, when trying to teach yourself the
craft it has lots of diagrams and clear instructions.
I have had my copy of the book since I went to classes 30 years ago in the
UK. I find I have to refer to the book now and then, especially when I am
working a 6 pair crossing and I need to refresh my memory of how that goes.
I make a note of them to pin to my pillow.
Regards
Jenny DeAngelis
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