cluny

[tatting fairy]

what is the best way to learn cluny stitch....
where can i find patterns??

[PattyD]

The most eye popping web site with clunies (http://elisadusud.canalblog.com/archives/frivolite/index.html)

[TeresaW]

Mimi Dillman is known (at least in the US) as the Queen of Clunies. She has a very nice set of instructions on her website http://home.netcom.com/~ntrop/mimi/cluny.html. This website also has links to a number of other instructional sites. Hope this helps!

[carolivy]

Gorgeous site Patty! Thanks for that link Teresa. I really want to learn Cluny too!

[squeeky]

Me Too! My only attempts have resulted in a wad-o-string that didn't resemble anything remotely like a cluny. Seeing those pieces makes me want to try again!

[TeresaW]

Squeeky,

They really aren't hard to do but it does take patience (sometimes I have very little!). The biggest issue I've had is pulling the wrong thread and that will give a wad of nothing believe me ... I have lots of those when I was learning.

I've also been lucky enough to sit at Mimi's feet and learn from her directly and she is amazing. If you will follow her instructions ESPECIALLY taking the cluny off your hand or the loom and laying it on the table (or your lap), it is easier to see which thread has to be pulled first. You can even 'tease' the shaping of the wraps a bit. One little trick that Mimi shared with me because I was having trouble with the cluny wanting to 'rotate' out of the plane. She suggesting tying a very small square knot (for two colors) or an SLT (shoe-lace tie) for same color to keep the cluny exactly where I wanted it.

[IcePrincess]

Mimis description is the next-to-best-thing to a real life teacher. But I must admit that it wasn't enough for me. After learning Cluny from a teacher, I use Mimis description as a reminder since it has all the elements in.

[carolivy]

The descriptions are great, but with my double jointed hands, I can't get my fingers to stay in the proper postition...grrrr! I'm ordering some Shrinky Dink to make a Cluy Frame so I can do them without killing my hands.

[rain]

I have been doing these for the past few days and its a killer on my wrists!!! I think I have to make a loom for it rather then use my hands it just hurts me to much :(

[carolivy]

I paid just over $8 (including shipping) for 6 sheets of Shrinky Dink from Amazon yesterday. There aren't any stores in my local area that carry them. Here is a link for Tammy's loom: http://www.frontiernet.net/~TammyRodgers/loom-1.html

[TeresaW]

You can also make a cluny loom from quilter's plastic or the plastic from an empty, clean milk carton. Eisbrenner, Lorraine. "Clever Cluny; The Bulletin of the IOLI, Volume 21, Number 1 (Fall 2000-2001). Pattern and instructions for her copyrighted Clever Cluny Loom.

I find that I can use this type of loom the easiest becase it is firm enough to keep the tension on the loom firm. I can easily do the weaving of the thread and then when it is ready to remove the loom threads to draw down those threads and do the final finesse shaping, the plastic is supple enough to easily bend to remove the threads.

A picture of clever loom is posted in my album. I will also post Lorraine's instructions for using the loom.

[simplicity]

The most eye popping web site with clunies (http://elisadusud.canalblog.com/archives/frivolite/index.html)

Thanks for the link PattyD. It is beautiful!

Don't be put off if you can't read the French. I explored a bit and found the cluny video on the left side. Look at the list entitled Apprentissage, then click on 2.video, point d'esprit premiere partie, and then the one underneath that for the closing of the cluny. I suppose "point d'esprit" is French for cluny.

I haven't tried it yet, but I have bookmarked the page ready for when I want to try it:happydancetwirl:.