Dear Fellow Spiders,
To?the usual 'never have the patience' comment. My response is that it gives me patience rather than taking it, and that I am much more relaxed after I've been able to work on my lace..(-: ? Next, no, it isn't hard. (To me, some things are tedious, but if I can grasp them conceptually I don't think they should be described as 'hard'. I think to say 'yes, it is hard' only puts people off.) But then I proceed to tell why it isn't hard. Rather than saying it is all 'cross & twist', I say it is mostly 'right over left or left over right', making the motion as I say it. It is a kind of weaving, but two rows at a time.Most children (and adults) have woven potholders and understand the concept of basic weaving. If they ask about how I know what to do, I show them that there is a pattern that tells me. If they ask how I can understand the pattern, I ask if they can read music (which thankfully often elicits a yes...but if not, there are other examples). It's just notation that you learn to interpret. And finally, when I still get the look of skepticism, I remind them that computers only use zeros and ones, and it is in the combining of many simple things that something complex results. So zero & one, cross & twist....yes, it moves on from there, but it does cover the essentials and their eyes show them that there is a bit more to it. Vicki in Maryland - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
