Mostly, traditional lace was worked all in the same colour.
It is possible, especially with Torchon, to use different colours, and this is explored in my book "Using Colour in Bobbin Lace" by Jo Edkins - link at the bottom of the index page. Here, the colours are there from the start of the lace, and it is the pattern which directs the coloured threads to produce the effect you want.
However, it is also possible to introduce a coloured pair within the lace, for example to introduce a different coloured pair as the workers for a diamond. There are various ways to do this. You can hang the new pair from a pin above the top diamond pair, as a false pin. Work the new coloured pair acorss both the top passive pairs and put the pin in. Then remove the false pin, and pull the loop through (gently!)
There is a way to introduce a new coloured pair without either removing a pair or having a temporary pin. Work the top two passive pairs (in cloth stitch) and put a pin between them. Then hang the new worker pair between them. Work this new pair back and forwards as usual.
The example above has removed the coloured pair by tying it off and cutting the threads. You can see the ends.
It might be better to tie off the worker threads when they are between the two last passive pairs. Then work the last two passive pairs in cloth stitch and twist and put a pin afterwards. This seems to hide the knot and cut ends better.
There is another way to remove the coloured pair. Do the last row involving the coloured workers and the last two passive pairs, and put the pin between them. Then work the two passive pairs toegether (similar to the start). This catches the worker pair. Don't tie off the coloured worker pair. Just trim it as close to the lace as you can. You might imagine that it would unravel, but it doesn't seem to!
See pattern 539 for a discussion of all this.
© Jo Edkins 2025 - return to lace index