Bobbin Lace and Other Hobbies

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The Half Stitch Mystery

I found half stitch really difficult when I started, and this is how I made sense of it. There are many ways to make half stitch for different effects but for the beginner ribbon, this helped me.

Half stitch has a different rhythm to cloth stitch.

One of the worker pair (Fred) makes a new 'friend' at each half stitch. You can see Fred weaving across through the passives as you work, leaving behind his new 'friend' at each stitch, going off with a new 'friend' and leaving a horizontal, single thread weaving from side to side.

If you lose track, find the horizontal thread coming from the pin, that is Fred.

If you use two twists around the pin, Fred will stay as your main worker. This means you can keep control of the tension on the last row or two.

If you have passives to work in cloth stitch at the edge of a piece, use Fred and the friend he is with. When you reach the passives work through with cloth stitch. on returning to the half stitch ground, put extra twist on Fred and friend so Fred is always leading.



Starlight Kangaroo

 


'Starlight Kangaroo' pattern is my gift to Australian bobbin lacemakers who challenged me to design one, though anyone is welcome to make this little creature.  

The five silver stars of the Southern Cross feature in this little Bedfordshire Lace style kangaroo.  The leaves and flowers of the Golden Wattle make a trail down the tail and the leg.  

Print at A4

PDF is available. 






 


This pattern is not to be sold or republished digitally or in print without permission.  Personal use only.  You may sell the Starlight Kangaroo made in lace if you wish.  All patterns, diagrams and photographs remain copyright of Lesley F. Williams 2022