---- Lyn Bailey <lynrbai...@desupernet.net> wrote: -----At a lace day in Ithaca, perhaps 10 years ago, I heard of someone buying supplies for a blind lacemaker, who could do it all, except make a pricking. Obviously her prickings were actually pricked, not prick as you go. But I didn't ask questions, and I don't know how successful she was. There may need to be adjustments.
Hi, Lyn It's a little scary hearing about someone legally blind driving, but I do admire your father's 'can do' attitude! I have a blind friend who makes great bobbin lace. Yes, someone pricks her pattern for her and she uses it "upside down" so there are bumps where the pricker needle went through the paper. That's how she finds the pinholes. Very fine laces with pinholes crowding together (the kind where you can't see the lace till the pins are pulled out) are beyond her, but as long as she can get a finger in to the back-most empty pinhole, she can do it. Someone usually describes the lace to her, like there's a trail following that arc of pinholes, and so many pairs come into it along the swing, and then at the nth hole two pairs leave toward the right to plait out to those holes that loop out from the trail....". I'm always amazed at how much detail she can keep in her mind's eye, till it's time for a description of the next region. She's blind from infancy and she knits! and does other great things, too. And teaches knitting (and taught "blindfolded bobbin lace" at the lace group meeting a few years ago. I was sick that day, but those who tried it had that much more respect for her accomplishments! Robin P. Los Angeles, California, USA robinl...@socal.rr.com Parvum leve mentes capiunt (Little things amuse little minds) - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
