Torchon lace is not really suited to making Celtic knots, but I regarded that as a challenge!
Pattern 153, pattern 154, pattern 155 and pattern 156 are variations on a theme.
Pattern:
Bobbins: 22 pairs
Style: experimental Torchon!
Stitches:
half stitch
cloth stitch
cloth stitch and twist
twist single pair (grey)
Details:
Torchon ground (grey)
twisted footside (grey)
cloth stitch zigzag (red)
chevron pointing upwards (red)
chevron pointing downwards (red)
vertical edges (red)
Description:
Follow the links above for explanation of how to work the different parts of the lace.
The knot is a type of zigzag. However, I wanted a rounded effect at the edges rather than a point. I also found while experimenting that the knot looked more convincing if the width of the 'zigs' was the same as the 'zags'. The answer is to have an extra pinhole on the outer edge at the bend. This means that you must choose the correct pair to be the workers at the top of each strand. This pattern tries to make the width as wide as possible - 5/6 pairs across the full width (rather than 4/5). So, work the top stitch of a strand, and put the top pin in. Then chose the inner pair as the workers (the pair furthest from the edge). If you get the wrong pair as workers, then you will find that the lace risks being worked at a slant after the bend, and you will run out of pinholes before the bottom. If this looks like happening (and you don't want to undo everything and chose the OTHER pair as workers!) then ignore one of the pinholes at the outer edge of the bend.
You will also need to work both upwards and downward chevrons.
You cannot work one shape of cloth stitch at a time. You keep finding that there is one pair of threads that needs to leave the pattern, and cross with another pair, that has to return to it. So you work part of one piece, leave that, do part of another piece, then return to the first. Make sure you know where you are.
This pattern looks better if you work it on a small scale so the cloth-stitch is closely worked (but not too small scale, or the clothwork will look coggled). You can extend the pattern if you want a longer knot.
This is the first in a series of similar patterns, exploring this way of working Celtic knots. See also pattern 154, pattern 155 and pattern 156.
© Jo Edkins 2016 - return to lace index