Teneriffe Lace, step-by-step

[LadyDoc]

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cPmL0Kxv-8g/TN3GGpGgY7I/AAAAAAAABeU/q-pcetv7cDs/s320/Teneriffe+%25231.jpg (http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cPmL0Kxv-8g/TN3GGpGgY7I/AAAAAAAABeU/q-pcetv7cDs/s1600/Teneriffe+%25231.jpg)
Since there's been some interest expressed in learning more about Teneriffe Lace, I am starting this thread.


I'm no expert, but I do know how to make basic medallions of Teneriffe lace using my Stitch-Around board, so I am going to make a new medallion over the next several days. I will be taking pictures at every step of the way and posting them, so if you are inclined to want to learn more about how Teneriffe Lace is made, just follow along here.


The picture above is of a new medallion at the very first step- laying down the base thread, also known as a holding thread. You go around the form, threading over and under, filling in every hole. You can use any available thread, as long as it is strong enough to hold your working thread- I am using some left over #5 perle cotton. When I complete this round, I will do the same thing again, but doing the over-and-under on the opposite sides, so that there will be a complete holding thread- no spaces- on both the front and back of the form. Next picture will be a completed holding thread, and the beginning of the web, so check back tomorrow!

[simplicity]

Cool! Thanks, I'll enjoy that.

[celticflame99]

I was wondering how you got it off the board! lol. A bit slow today apparently.

[crazytatter]

This is really educational. I wonder too how you take it off the board.

[LadyDoc]

Here's my next installment- sorry it is late!


http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cPmL0Kxv-8g/TOSVCfnLdUI/AAAAAAAABeg/1XqrcRLELJ8/s320/base+thread+complete+on+SA.jpg (http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cPmL0Kxv-8g/TOSVCfnLdUI/AAAAAAAABeg/1XqrcRLELJ8/s1600/base+thread+complete+on+SA.jpg)
Well, it took a lot longer than I planned to get back here, but here it is. This is the Stitch-Around "fully loaded" with the base thread. Next step, which I *will* have ready for tomorrow is the beginning ( and hopefully more) of the web thread.

With my interest in Teneriffe Lace re-piqued as it were, I've been doing some reading and some Internet cruising. I've found two fun old tools that I purchased from ebay last week.



http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cPmL0Kxv-8g/TOSWNQOwU8I/AAAAAAAABek/0XduEyT1aw0/s320/crazy+daisy+extended.jpg (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cPmL0Kxv-8g/TOSWNQOwU8I/AAAAAAAABek/0XduEyT1aw0/s1600/crazy+daisy+extended.jpg)
The first is called a Crazy Daisy. It has spokes that come out of the body of the gizmo with a wheel in the center, allowing you to mount the web, do the design, then just retract the spokes, and VOILA!, there is your medallion. Sorry for the blurry picture; my scanner doesn't do 3-D very well.


http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cPmL0Kxv-8g/TOSWnh70pBI/AAAAAAAABeo/3TiL8ge1teI/s320/proctor+1903+teneriffe+wheel.jpg (http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cPmL0Kxv-8g/TOSWnh70pBI/AAAAAAAABeo/3TiL8ge1teI/s1600/proctor+1903+teneriffe+wheel.jpg)
Another fun new to me but very old tool is the Proctor 1903 Teneriffe Lace wheel. I have not had time to read any instructions, so I don't even know for sure how this one works.


http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cPmL0Kxv-8g/TOSXQlsEmyI/AAAAAAAABes/MXdDrgLxclQ/s320/needlelace+loom.jpg (http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cPmL0Kxv-8g/TOSXQlsEmyI/AAAAAAAABes/MXdDrgLxclQ/s1600/needlelace+loom.jpg)
I did get the base thread done for a second medallion, on the needlelace loom I got last week from Hand Dyed Fibers (http://www.hand-dyedfibers.com/oscnuked/modules.php?name=catalog&file=product_info&cPath=40&products_id=743). So, I will also be seeing how this tool works out.


All three of these tools here have a distinct disadvantage compared to the Stitch-Around, and that is that the sizes possible are limited to one size with the Crazy Daisy and the needlelace loom, and I don't know if there are two options with the Proctor tool, but certainly not more than that. The lines in the Stitch-Around are also very valuable for helping you to make your knots evenly, so we will see how that works out with the other tools.



http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cPmL0Kxv-8g/TOSYySoQxjI/AAAAAAAABew/9vKwR8a8H8E/s1600/lg03.jpg (http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cPmL0Kxv-8g/TOSYySoQxjI/AAAAAAAABew/9vKwR8a8H8E/s1600/lg03.jpg)
I found another tool for Teneriffe lace at Lacis (http://lacis.com/catalog/), but that won't be here for a while and I am unclear how it works, so that might have to wait until the second round of tests- I really can't quite figure it out from the picture above from the Lacis website.


The one thing I *CAN* tell you is that I found the plastic grids sometimes sold for "making Teneriffe lace" are nothing more than plastic canvas and I could NOT make them work. I tried them several times several years ago and I am guessing that someone could do Teneriffe lace medallions on them, but that someone was sure not me!



http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cPmL0Kxv-8g/TOSbKZ6pKLI/AAAAAAAABe0/ORkMUSWPy_I/s1600/45cm+pillow+from+above+-+reduced.jpg (http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cPmL0Kxv-8g/TOSbKZ6pKLI/AAAAAAAABe0/ORkMUSWPy_I/s1600/45cm+pillow+from+above+-+reduced.jpg)
Down the road even a little farther I am going to try using my bobbin lace pillow for making Teneriffe lace- I've been told on good authority that they do work that way- but that is another item on the list for after this first exploration is done.


Tomorrow, the beginnings of the web.

[simplicity]

Thank you! I was looking forward to this.

Did you do a back stitch around the stitch around? I was imagining pins. I'm curious about the Lacis thing too ...when you get to it.

[LadyDoc]

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cPmL0Kxv-8g/TOdPaEITrII/AAAAAAAABe8/jvS6Y4qVO74/s320/SA+back+knot.jpg (http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cPmL0Kxv-8g/TOdPaEITrII/AAAAAAAABe8/jvS6Y4qVO74/s1600/SA+back+knot.jpg)

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cPmL0Kxv-8g/TOdNBypac2I/AAAAAAAABe4/rrgMrl745jQ/s1600/teneriffe+beginning+web.jpg)

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cPmL0Kxv-8g/TOdNBypac2I/AAAAAAAABe4/rrgMrl745jQ/s1600/teneriffe+beginning+web.jpg)

This is the back of the Stitch-Around as I get ready to make the web. The web is the basis of all Teneriffe lace, regardless of the pattern for a specific medallion. You can see where I simply knotted the base thread to hold it tightly in place. The base will support the medallion until it is completed and will then be cut away to release the medallion.



(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cPmL0Kxv-8g/TOdNBypac2I/AAAAAAAABe4/rrgMrl745jQ/s1600/teneriffe+beginning+web.jpg)
Here's where working on Teneriffe becomes a little complicated. The directions call for cutting the entire length of thread you will need in one piece- in this case, 7 yards!

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cPmL0Kxv-8g/TOdQkmKlNLI/AAAAAAAABfA/feh52CWTqik/s320/SA+back+%252B+thread.jpg (http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cPmL0Kxv-8g/TOdQkmKlNLI/AAAAAAAABfA/feh52CWTqik/s1600/SA+back+%252B+thread.jpg)

You can see that 7 yards of loose thread can get tangled pretty easily. I work my web with the thread laying out on the floor in front of my chair- it seems to tangle less that way.


I chose Cebelia #10 in white for this medallion. I threaded one end through a size 22 tapestry needle- I find the regular needles are easier for me for laying the web, and will switch to the curved needle when I begin the wrapping. I tied a large knot in the other end of the thread after feeding it through the Stitch-Around form. As I find that surprisingly large knots can work their way through the hole at the center of the form, I also tape the end of the thread to the back of the form.



http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cPmL0Kxv-8g/TOdNBypac2I/AAAAAAAABe4/rrgMrl745jQ/s320/teneriffe+beginning+web.jpg (http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cPmL0Kxv-8g/TOdNBypac2I/AAAAAAAABe4/rrgMrl745jQ/s1600/teneriffe+beginning+web.jpg)


The web is easy in principle and the only difficulty is keeping those 7 yards of threads untangled. Working out from the center hole,you run the needle under the base thread at any point, pull all the thread through, then run it towards the center under the next base thread section to the right. You are essentially centering the thread around each opening on the form at the position you originally chose to control your size. Here's a close-up:



http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cPmL0Kxv-8g/TOdTr96nH2I/AAAAAAAABfE/XBUL-TUKRPk/s1600/teneriffe+beginning+web+close+up.jpg (http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cPmL0Kxv-8g/TOdTr96nH2I/AAAAAAAABfE/XBUL-TUKRPk/s1600/teneriffe+beginning+web+close+up.jpg)


You then go directly across the form and do the same thing at the hole opposite to the one you just surrounded. Next you will bring your thread back to the first side, and there you will move one hole to the right and repeat the process. You continue around the entire form until you have a complete web.


Next time there will be a picture of a complete web.

[LadyDoc]

Thank you! I was looking forward to this.

Did you do a back stitch around the stitch around? I was imagining pins. I'm curious about the Lacis thing too ...when you get to it.

No, it is not a back stitch- I went around the form twice. Pins come into play with some other types of forms- including the black Proctor wheel.

[ldr103]

The lacis teneriffe kit is awesome!! You have a foam board, a round grid and pins. You actually wrap your threads around the pins, so there's no need to do all the extra stitching. It's super easy and pretty quick. I love mine.

[LadyDoc]

The lacis teneriffe kit is awesome!! You have a foam board, a round grid and pins. You actually wrap your threads around the pins, so there's no need to do all the extra stitching. It's super easy and pretty quick. I love mine.

Thanks for the feedback. Have not had time to try it out, but I was a little concerned when it arrived a few days ago.

[simplicity]

According to the Lacis link, their kit can be used to make any shape, which would be great. Another alternative I am considering is using polar coordinate paper which you can get for free here
www.sscc.edu/home/jdavidso/Math/GraphPaper/PolarSmall.pdf (it has the web shape printed on it like the lines on the Lacis thing)

and use pins and a piece of high density foam which you can buy for a few dollars at
www.joscolace.com.au they have it among their bobbin lace pillows, and I dare say it is available in many other places too.

If I do this, I can also make any shape, but I am wondering if anyone has worked over paper before and is there any particular advantage to the Lacis thing over paper?:emoji-E002:

[LadyDoc]

OOHH- that polar small chart might make my first venture onto my pillow workable! Thanks for the link!

[LadyDoc]

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Teneriffe Lace web completed (http://ladydoc-tiltingatwindmills.blogspot.com/2010/11/teneriffe-lace-web-completed-and.html)



http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cPmL0Kxv-8g/TPKRZvQneLI/AAAAAAAABfQ/bnO1Ppj08Qk/s320/web+completed.jpg (http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cPmL0Kxv-8g/TPKRZvQneLI/AAAAAAAABfQ/bnO1Ppj08Qk/s1600/web+completed.jpg)
So, this is how the web looks when it is completed. I need to take it under the last stitch, but when I do that I will also have to start the darning stitch for the center of the medallion.

Working with a stiffer thread (Cebelia #10) than I have before (I previously always worked with perle coton) was a little tricky. I found that if I sat in the recliner and each time I went under a thread I sent the extra thread to the side of the chair, well spread out on the floor, it didn't tangle too much. As I worked on it, it became more relaxing.

This step also took longer than I remembered- about 3 hours, or maybe a little more. I used to think of this as "setting up" for doing the Teneriffe, but when I made my mind think of it as part of the finished piece and not "set up", it seemed to be much less tedious. Strange how our minds work, isn't it?

[LadyDoc]

Well, I have certainly fallen behind with this project!

Three weeks ago we had the plumber in for what looked like a tiny problem. Well, it turned out that the "tiny" problem (and the actual problem WAS tiny) was caused by a major mistake made by the contractor who redid our bathroom 25 years ago. LONG story but the end result was that we now have a totally new bathroom in all the unseen areas- all new pipes, all new construction under the floor and in the walls, and a new floor. A VERY expensive redo that also left us without a full bathroom for TWO WEEKS!!! For much of the time we were itinerants carrying our clothes and stuff to various places to shower, etc. It was NOT fun!!

The teneriffe piece was, at the time, in a room near the bathroom. It, like everything else in the house, ended up coated in inches of dust from ceramic tile, wood from the old and new joists, and concrete (yes, concrete- the previous contractor had "built" a subfloor that consisted of 2300 pounds of concrete between the bathroom floor and the living room ceiling!!!!!!).

Timing being everything, this happening in the weeks immediately before Christmas made for a very stressful time. Christmas came off fine, as long as one only stayed in the areas of the house that we had managed to make livable. (Ceramic tile dust even gets into closed closets and drawers!!!) After the holidays I will be getting a professional cleaning crew in, as literally everything in the house- walls and ceilings, curtains and slipcovers, anything you can think of, needs to be washed down with strong soap that will cut through the thick dust.

Summary: the teneriffe piece needs to be cleaned somehow while still on the form, and then I might have time to get back to it. It will get done and I will post here again as I re-start, but it might be a while.

[simplicity]

Oh dear! What a Christmas!

[Sonja]

I have two books about tenerife lace, from DMC. It is in German. Is someone interested in these books (2 same books)? Send me a PM if you are interested.

[hward17]

Where did you purchase your Stitch-Around?
Also, to prevent tangling, why not make "butterflies" or use a bobbin? if you need a tutorial, check this site: http://www.squidoo.com/colorknitting

[username]

Hi,
I have recently discovered teneriffe lace. I have worked this piece on a bangle by pinning the bangle to my lace pillow. I looped the spokes around the pins and then through the bangle. I think it worked quite well so am going to have another go perhaps with some variegated thread


.16025
Best wishes
Kate

[louine]

The lacis teneriffe kit is awesome!! You have a foam board, a round grid and pins. You actually wrap your threads around the pins, so there's no need to do all the extra stitching. It's super easy and pretty quick. I love mine.

Which kit did you order LC36 or LG03 ?

[Equilady]

Thanks for the link. You gave me an idea of how I can use my dense foam for needle felting for something else. Thanks. Susan

[Patsy]

I am so very sorry for your problems with the bathroom, and the following mess. I look forward to your next installment on Teneriffe lace. This is a wonderful thread!

[clotat]

sorry for the problem you have with your bathroom. Hope you can go on with this thread because i would like to begin with this kind of lace, thanks!!

[Nancy Simmons]

Thank you for posting these instructions. I am a novice at lace making but I was especially interested in Teneriffe because I found some templates among my great aunt's belongings years ago and didn't know how they were used. She had made pin holes in playing cards. I have lots of projects, so I don't know when I will try it out, but it's on my list.