I just started doing bobbin lace about a month ago - I'm currently just learning from a book,
"Lessons in Lacemaking" by Doris Southard was recommended to me as a good basic book does anyone have any experience with this one?
The subject of beginning books came up recently, and I wrote up my comments on the BL methods, and Doris' book which were then sent just to the member. With the subject emerging again, I fetched it out of my files and am sending it to the list. Hopefully, this will help other beginners when they use this book.
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Welcome to Arachne and lacemaking.
This is personal opinion. I'll say that right up front.
Doris's book was a stalwart edition when it came out. There was almost nothing available at the time. Hundreds/thousands of people learned about lacemaking from her book. It has an excellent beginning section that tells about the history, equipment, bobbins, pillows, winding, and so forth. It's only with the actual working instructions that you must know a few facts.
There are two basic sets of terminology for lace stitches -- English and Continental. Doris learned and uses the Continental forms. She also uses the term 'throw' for 'stitch'. I don't know of any other book that does that.
Terminology is a fluid subject that is always changing. What we call something today may be renamed tomorrow. Most of the English language books these days use the English forms.
These days, I think it is easier to progress if the English method is learned here in the USA. However, if you are flexible, you can do just fine learning the basics from this book, and then transferring to the other terminology later on when you are familiar with the 3 basic stitch motions.
There's probably a dozen beginning books around. Check them out on the webpages. Get more than one. You'll pick up different hints and suggestions in each one.
Later, when you use a new book, always check the front or back of the book to check the terms used by that author. Some people use different markings or abbreviations than other people.
Summary of the two methods:
C = cross T = twist
English Continental
half stitch CT half stitch TC
whole stitch CTC linen stitch (cloth stitch) CTC
double stitch (or whole whole stitch TCTC
stitch with an extra
twist) CTCT Also called Open MethodAlso called Closed Method
Closed and Open refer to how the threads look at the end of the half and double stitches. Open has the two threads hanging down parallel. Closed has the threads twisted (right over left thread).
It doesn't matter which method is used as long as a person is consistent. The finished lace usually looks exactly the same with both methods.
There are times when an extra twist is added. The English will add T at the start of a section, then do CTCTCT etc. The continental method starts with a twist, so they add the twist at the end of the section. TCTCTC, then add a T. Thus, the finished half stitch sections both start and end with a T, no matter which method was used.
We have to thank Doris Southard for encouraging lacemaking in this country. Without her efforts and her courage to write that book, lacemaking would not have progressed to where it is now in this country.
If you have a question, just ask. Someone on Arachne will have an answer.
Happy lacing, Alice in Oregon
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