I can't remember which book but there are instructions for removing pairs in half stitch - I haven't done it for years but seem to remember that it is best to drop the pair at an edge rather than in the middle (tie them off before you throw them out completely, though). It might be in the "Cook Book" (Practical Skills in Bobbin Lace) or it might be in Elsie Luxton's Technique of Honiton Lace. Are the instructions for throwing out specifically for that leaf or do they relate more so to one that has a cloth stitch edge and are implied for the variations? Losing a pair in the middle of half stitch is going to make a hole, as does adding or losing a twist. I don't think it is specifically tension as half stitch tends to self-tension. The finer thread might make a slight difference, especially with the difference in the way it was spun, and the type of fibre (which will affect the way it behaves).
As to the current leaf, are you going to stiffen it? If so, you could make a spray (with the other leaves you are planning to make) and add berries (which could be large red beads if you don't want to make 3D lace ones) to hide the holes. In any case, by the time you are stood three or four yards away from it you won't see them :-) Jane Partridge Susan wrote: I made the first leaf with DMC special dentelles 80, 30wcm/2S/3Z & I thought it turned out OK. Last week, I used Radix 50, 32wcm, 2Z. The instructions call for tossing out a pair of passives in the middle of the edging to decrease to 10 pairs. I selected the second pair from the outside edge on each side & ended up with unattractive holes in the edging. Is this a matter of improper tension, selecting the wrong pair of passives, using slightly finer thread, a combination of factors, or something else??? - To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [email protected]. For help, write to [email protected]. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
