There are various simple grounds which help to identify different styles of lace, such as Mechlin or Brussels. Here is a pattern comparing them.
Pattern:
Bobbins: 18 pairs
Style: Binche (sort of!)
Stitches:
cloth stitch and twist
cloth stitch
half stitch
twist pair
Details:
Double Torchon ground (grey)
Bucks Point net (grey)
Torchon ground resting on pins (with extra twist) (grey)
Mechlin ground (grey)
Brussels ground (grey)
Torchon ground (grey)
solid cloth stitch (red)
Winkie pin twisted footside
Description:
Follow the links above for explanation of how to work the different parts of the lace.
These grounds are all made in similar ways, but with different numbers of half stitches at the pin. I wanted to have a pattern which had them all in, with the same thread and the same scale, so they could be easily compared. The basic format of the stitch is a number of half stitches. Most of them have one twist both pairs in between pairs (Bucks Point net has two twists and Torchon has one, because that is the conventional form). Apart from the number of half stitches, there is also where you put the pin. Below are close-ups of the various grounds:
| Picture | Ground | Plait | Pin |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Double Torchon | 4 half stitches | centre |
 | Bucks Point | 1 half stitches | after |
 | Torchon | 2 half stitches | after |
 | Mechlin | 3 half stitches | after |
 | Brussels | 4 half stitches | before |
 | Torchon | 2 half stitches | centre |
© Jo Edkins 2017 - return to lace index