> On Mar 23, 2005, at 12:21, [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Julie) wrote: > > > The pins are missing! There are no pins in the ground! How do I > > tension > > without pins to pull against?
> Tamara wrote: > The pins are missing in the ground of both Mechlin and Valenciennes > (and I've heard of some Bucks workers who don't use them, either, > though I wouldn't dare to skip them, personally <g>) That's because, a > properly made plait (T, C, tension, T, C, tension) will stay in place > without support. CTCT one will too, but not as well. In fact, in > Flanders, you're advised to make a tiny plait of exiting pairs, to hold > everything together (I don't do it, because I then forget to un-plait; > so I just yank the pairs into submission instead. <g>) Unlike us, our professional colleguaes of former times had to work for speed. Every pin not to be put is a bit more money for life. But even Valenciennes and Mechlin ground become much nicer, neater when worked with pins. Source of this wisdom of mine is, like always, Ulrike Loehr's classes. Her early Val and Mechlin patterns have been designed without pins, but the newer are all with. For Valenciennes, it's no problem working with pins, just place them below the crossing of the two braids. Mechlin with pins is something to drive one mad. In a strange way, the pins are not placed in the row you think you are just working... Not afraid of complicated lace with many bobbins, Mechlin is the one I cannot work without marking nearly every pin on my voodoo-board. lucky not to make lace for living.. Eva from Haltern, Germany, where spring has come and I can make lace at the veranda - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
