While I agree with all the other posters about thread, thread length, etc., let me be the first to suggest that your concept of having needle lace be your "portable" lace may be unrealistic, especially if it is Hollie Point. Generally people turn to tatting for a portable lace. My colleague has a sample of needle lace that she made from her own hair while riding on a train, and she claims it can be done by feeling the stitch snap into place. However, I believe that the proper place to do needle lace is in a purpose designed area with state of the art lighting or big windows, a table nearby for the thread which you need to change constantly, and with an Optivisor on your head. An Optivisor is a magnification visor that people wear to do close work. The appearance of an Optivisor may be frightening to others, so it is not advisable to use it on public conveyances. I am a great fan of the Optivisor ever since Irma Osterman, a needle lace teacher, let me use hers. Your work when you look at it through the Optivisor may seem uneven to you, but when you take off the visor, it will seem very neat and even. Unfortunately, this means that the environment needed for needle lace is very similar to the environment needed for bobbin lace. Devon
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