Open and closed pins

Bobbin lace is usually made up of stitches and pins. The combination can be described as an open pin or a closed pin.

Open pins

Bucks Point net has open pins. That means that the stitch (half stitch and twist) is done, and a pin is put in, but no stitch is done with the same two pairs of bobbins afterwards. That means you can see the whole pin.

Closed pins

Torchon ground has closed pins. That means that the stitch (half stitch) is done, a pin is put in, and another stitch (also half stitch) done with the same two pairs of bobbins afterwards. That means that you can't see the bottom of the pin, as there is a lace stitch there. This is also called covering the pin.

© Jo Edkins 2017 - return to lace index