Hi Linda
To get this tale by the tail, (sorry,
couldn't resist that), we first need to find the earliest mentions of
it, then we can understand the context, and the exact way in which the
words were used. I still think there may be more to this than meets the
eye . . .
Just my thoughts, I
I wonder if it wasn't an old wives' tale as such, but that someone saw a
lacemaker using thorns or bones (BTW, having been stabbed by a sea
bass bone I could see those being used!) and commented on it, this then
being translated in gossip circles to lacemakers use bones/thorns
instead of pins
On 21/05/2011 22:57, Alex Stillwell wrote:
[snip]
I think we have had plenty of evidence that
thorns have been used as subsitutes for pins
[snip]
Sorry - I think I must have missed a bit among all these fascinating
messages: so what was the original evidence for the kinds of things
used
Hi Bev
This article is producing some interestin observations. As I suggested, using
thorns may only be folk lore and your observation would support that theory.
The cactus thorns came up in another reply when I asked if anyone had used
thorns for making lace. but I also doubt if they would have
Dear Arachnids
Thank you for all the replies. I think we have had plenty of evidence that
thorns have been used as subsitutes for pins and we have had some interesting
comments about pins in general.
I find these discussions are always enlightening. Long may Aachne last.
Happy lacemaking
Alex
