Rose ground is well known. But it can be made with different stitches. In pattern 588, I experimented with diferent stitches. That was fairly unofficial! But there are various rose grounds described in the book "Introduction to Bobbin Lace Stitches" by Bridget M. Cook and Geraldine Stott. I thought I ought to try them out! Here they are.
Pattern:
Bobbins: 14 pairs
Style: Torchon (experimental)
Size: 9.5 inches long
Stitches:
half stitch
cloth stitch and twist
cloth stitch
twist single pair
Details:
cloth strip (red)
Flemish ground (green)
rose ground (green)
filled rose ground (green)
pinned cross-overs rose ground (green)
rose ground edge
Description:
The different versions of rose ground are separated with 2 rows of cloth stitch. The stitches close to this cloth stitch, and at the edge of the lace, is the same throughout. I suppose that I could have altered it to suit whatever stitch I was using, but I was finding it quite hard enough to change stitch in each section as it was!
1. This is older Flemish ground. It is not really rose ground at all, but it is worked in exactly the same way as standard rose ground without pins - just a single pin in the centre to position it.
2.This is Flemish ground, again with just a single pin in the centre, but more complicated working. Click on link to see how ro work it.
3. I call this standard rose ground. "Introduction to Bobbin Lace Stitches" calls it rose ground A.
4. I call this filled rose ground, because it is like standard rose ground, but has an extra stitch (without a pin) in the centre. "Introduction to Bobbin Lace Stitches" calls it rose ground B.
5. I call this double rose ground, because it uses cloth stitch and twist rather than half stitch. "Introduction to Bobbin Lace Stitches" calls it rose ground C.
6. I call this pinned cross-overs, because it uses pins in the cross-overs unlike other rose grounds. Otherwise is is fairly similar to Flemish ground (but using more pins!). "Introduction to Bobbin Lace Stitches" calls it rose ground D.
7. I call this filled rose ground, because it is like standard rose ground, but has an extra stitch (without a pin) in the centre. "Introduction to Bobbin Lace Stitches" calls it rose ground E. It is a denser version of rose ground B.
8. This is rose ground but using half stitch throughout. This means that the central unit has the half stitch resting on the pins (uncovered). I wondered if this was like armure-Binche. The answer is Yes, a bit, but different.
9. Another attempt to be like armure-Binche! This is filled rose ground but using half stitch throughout. The answer is No!
I think I'm getting bored with rose ground! But interesting to try out the different types.
Close up of the lace, so you can see the working in more detail.
© Jo Edkins 2026 - return to lace index