Starting Two Pair Edge in Two Directions

Starting a two (workers) pair edge, how I do it.  More experienced lace makers and books will show many different ways.  With no one to teach me, this is what I figured out.  

This is the edge I prefer because it gives a nice smooth outline on any work.  It can easily be replaced with a standard pin and twist edge using one pair of workers, or even with a picot edge.  I think the choice of edge is a lace makers decision on each piece.  

On a two pair edge, the worker pair changes place with the left behind other worker pair each time they reach the outer edge.  

Place pin in an outside hole.  Hang four pairs open (open = like a rainbow).  

Using the two pairs on right, (or two pairs on left)  twist both pairs twice, cloth stitch, twist both pairs twice.  Snuggle up to the top of the pin. Do not close around the pin.  This is how I start a two worker pair edge.  The four workers are now ready to work in opposite directions, two to the right, two to the left.  

The passives pairs are hung open on a temp pin placed below the worker pin.  For 3 pairs of passives you need 6 pairs of bobbins, one of each pair goes in the opposite direction. It is best to secure the passives on the opposite side as they will try and pull through until there are a few weavings to hold them in tension.   Twist the 'spare' side threads around a pearl head pin and push into the pillow to secure the pairs out of the way. 

Working to the left. Take the inner of the two pairs of worker, work through the 3 pairs of LH passives.  Twist worker pair twice and place the pin,  Work back through the passives, twist the worker pair twice, cloth stitch through the outer waiting worker pair and twist both worker pairs twice each.  The two worker pairs have now changed position and the new inner worker pair is ready to work through the passives and so on. 

The worker pair left on the outside is often given an extra twist. 

Reference : Pattern 5 Jean Leader's Introduction to Bedfordshire, published by the Lace Guild UK.

Sunrise Heart start point. 

To add Honeycomb pairs on the inner edge for the ground, I twist the workers, place the pin and lay the workers down on the pillow.  Hang the new ground pair(s) open on the same pin with one bobbin on each side of the worker pair.  lift the worker pair and hop over the new ground thread(s), work back through the passives, leaving the new ground pair(s) secured on the pin. 

The Lace Map Trilogy

I always wanted to write.  Only when I became regularly trapped indoors for months on end did I get the chance.  

What prompted me to have a lace maker as a central character I have no idea.  Maybe it was my Mother, talking about researching her family tree.  Some of her ancestors came over to this country via the route many lace makers had used to flee the religious persecution of that time.  

I wanted to hear what the bobbins sounded like so I could be accurate in my descriptions of this disappearing skill.  A chance sighting of a poster advertising a demonstration of lacemaking in the next village set me on a path I never saw coming. 

The novels sat patiently in my computer while I fell down the lace making rabbit hole.  So much to learn.  Not just the making of the lace itself, but learning how to turn the bobbins, all the history, pattern making, lace schools, agents, trends and threads.  

Now, several years later, I have returned to have another look at the novels and have decided to put each chapter online as I edit the first book.    This is where you can follow the progress along with me, chapter by chapter.

Lesley 

https://thelacemap.weebly.com/

Winder time

 Doing a bit of maintenance on my home made bobbin winder. Nice to be using my favourite hammer again!  This winder was made as an experiment and it never got replaced because it just keeps doing the job.  Made from an old bread board, rolling pin and a bit of kitchen chopping board.