This ground is worked on a Torchon grid. I do not know whether it is used in Torchon lace, or indeed what its name is. I call it star ground, because I think the centre looks like a star. The centre of star ground needs four pairs on bobbins, two on each side. However, these are surrounded by lines of Torchon ground, which frame it, and keep the shape of the star. There is only one line of this Torchon ground between units of star ground, so the first unit unit needs 8 pairs (with start and end lines) and subsequent units need 6 pairs (as the start line has already been done by the previous unit). See pattern 119 or pattern 171.
Pattern representation of a star
Again I am not sure what the traditional pattern is. I prefer to mark out exactly where the individual lines go. This makes it a little cluttered, but at least I do not get lost! The dark grey shows the framing lines.
The diagram below shows one unit of star ground. It shows each thread as a line, with the different pairs different colours. There are several types of stitches in star ground - see description, which gives links to the stitches if you are not familiar with them.
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Working: Work the middle two pairs in Torchon ground. Work the left-hand of these pairs across all pairs on its left, again in Torchon ground. Do the same with the right-hand pair. This provides the top framing of the star.
Now you are working with the four pairs of the centre. Cross the middle two bobbins of the left two pairs. Cross the the middle two bobbins of the right two pairs as well.
There are two pairs on the left. Take the pair nearest the middle (the top pair) and work it across the two pairs on the right in cloth stitch. Take the other pair, and also work it across the two pairs on the right in cloth stitch. There are no pins involved, and no twists when you finish.
Work the left two pairs in a half stitch. Work the right two pairs in a half stitch as well.
Now you need the bottom framing lines. A pair on the far left is worked across half the pairs to the centre in Torchon ground. Then a pair on the far right is also worked across half the pairs to the centre, again in Torchon ground. This framing will be part of the next unit of star ground.
These framing lines can be tricky. Sometimes they are left out at the start (and end), as the pairs leaving the previous piece of lace are already in the correct place. But you always need the framing lines between units of star ground, or the threads will collapse together.
© Jo Edkins 2016 - return to lace index
