Wriggly Tree

This Wriggly Tree uses the simple curve technique used in Idrija Lace and other tape laces.  

The inside curves are not pinned but use a turning stitch which leaves the worker behind on the curve, with a twist on, and uses the last passive to act as a temporary worker.  Start at any point, I chose part way down the trunk for my start. 

If you choose a starting place in a busy spot, you find that the eye is drawn to the design, and the knotted ends are not as obvious as when you choose a simpler, and often easier, place where the eye is drawn to the knots. 

Originally this was designed as a Christmas tree, but lends itself to a fun way to practice making curves.  The edges can be made with a standard two twists around a pin, using 5 pairs, or using two workers which both go around the pin, changing places each time.  

Size 8cm.  Pairs x 5 or 6 pairs depending on edge stitch.  Thread : Idrija 30 which is a 30 wraps per centimeter  100% cotton thread. 

Techniques : Idrija Curve and a right angle corner at the top. See my Youtube channel for video on the Curve technique

More info on how to work my patterns -   https://www.youtube.com/@LesleysLace and join  ‘Lesley’s Lace’ Facebook page.

Kelpies - Mythological Shape Changing Horses.

I thought it appropriate to release my Kelpies design in the Chinese Year of the Horse.  

I am planning to make this one again, it has been some years since I made the original and I didn't make any notes!   If you are patient, there may be an updated pattern with pinholes and techniques described more fully but I wanted to get this out now, at the start of the Year of the Horse.

This Kelpie horse head trilogy pattern was inspired by the beautiful sculptures in Scotland.  Kelpies are shape changing aquatic creature who possessed the strength of ten horses.  They were chosen to honour the heavy horses which pulled canal boats, carts and even coalships. The mythology of these creatures is a little more naughty than nice but they are worth a look.  

 https://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/The-Kelpie/

There are four fillings, and you can swap them around as you wish, or simply make one to stand alone.  Each of the heads take different numbers of bobbins, and use different techniques.  Some can be made by  sewing in the fillings after the outline edges are made.  I always prefer to make a piece all at once.  

There are few pinholes marked, I have left it up to the lace maker to choose how close you wish your threads to be.  The number of passives for each trail is found simply by laying your chosen thread in pairs between the two lines.  To line up the sewings of the heads to the center, I would suggest drawing a zigzag around the edge of the center and the base of the heads to fit your choice of spacing. 

The suggested thread is approx 28 to 30 wraps per centimeter, DMC Broder Machine for example. 

The size, taken from the widest measurement which is an eartip to a mane tip is 19cm.

The center motif can be made alone, and the heads sewn in, or sewn on afterwards.  I made all 4 pieces first, finishing with the center motif still pinned to the pillow, then repinned the edge trail of the horses so I could make the sewings.  

There will be a .pdf on my Lesley's Lace facebook page under the 'Files' tab.  Do let me see your Kelpies by posting on my facebook page, I do love to see how lacemakers adapt and often improve a pattern.