Magic Threads are used for adding new pairs at pins, or for the sewings of ends of lace together without having to search for those little pinholes in a forest of pins
.Click here for my Youtube video Youtube Video for Magic Threads
You can tell I'm a fan of these little scrap.s of thread, they make such a difference to adding pairs and colours to bobbin lace. A crochet hook, or lazy Sue is usually the way to add threads into bobbin lace, but this little loop of thread takes away the searching for the pinhole, the splitting of thread with the hook, and the shy loops which just hide away once a pin is removed before using a tool.
Magic threads are best using thin, strong thread. Colours help to separate each waiting magic thread when many are needed in the same area. The magic threads are removed from the work after the new pair is added. The magic threads can be wrapped around a pin and pinned down to keep them safe.
This butterfly is made by adding pairs as you work down the body. This would leave a pile of bobbins waiting at one side, but this way, you can just reuse the bobbins when you finish the first side of wings.
I like to draw my new threads up from underneath, so I position my loop end (opposite to the knot end) to the outside of the pin. Work to an edge pin, twist the worker but do not close the pin.
Hold the magic thread at each end, slide it underneath the worker pair and draw upwards till it reaches the pin. Don't go around the pin. Lay both ends away from your work and continue to work back into the ground with the worker.
Add one pair - *Pick up the loop end without the knot. Pick up the new pair by the thread between the bobbins and put this loop through the magic thread loop, hold onto the new pin loop. The new pair is now through the magic thread loop. Hold the magic thread at the knot and gently pull the magic thread and new pair loops through the hole at the pin. The magic thread will draw the loop of the new pair through with it. Catch the loop of the new pair and remove the magic thread.* Feed one bobbin through this new pair loop. Avoid catching any loops on pins already in the work. Replace the pin in the hole (although you can also add new pairs with the pin still in place, if it is tight, remove the pin).
Add two pairs #1 - Repeat from * to * above. Insert one bobbin of a second pair through the loop instead of using either of the original pair. Draw the join up to the pin and return to work.
Add two pairs #2 - Use two magic threads at the same pin to add one pair each loop in turn to add two single pairs individually.
Add Four pairs (add two plaits at one pin) - Use two magic threads (two loops) to draw up two pairs of bobbins through each loop. Insert loop of each new bobbin pair through each of the magic loops. Take care not to twist the bobbins around each other, keep them in order.
Handy Hints -
Keep a finger on the loop as it is being drawn through to avoid catching on pins.
After the Magic thread is removed, watch out for unexpected twists on the new pairs, find the join and clear any twists before working.
Keep hold of the pair which has been drawn through the pinhole, if it escapes, you will need to use the crochet hook/lazy Sue to attach the pair.
