Ruskin Lace with Elizabeth Prickett/Patterns

Ruskin Lace
with
Elizabeth Prickett

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Patterns

Most of these patterns appear in my book, as line drawings if not worked as below or a variation of. There is also a more detailed working instruction as well as a whole chapter on the basic technique.

Patterns have evolved to fit a given area, to accommodate the individual workers proportioning and working tension. The following patterns try to present an idea as to how this has come about over the years.

The above two patterns are worked into the same size area of approx. 1 ½" or 4cm., and based on four inverted pyramids from the corners, therefore worked over existing foundation bars to which they are attached on the first and last row only. The same applies to the following two patterns.

Left - as the distance of the base row of the pyramid from the corners, will determine the number of buttonhole stitches that fit comfortable which in turn provide the same number of rows of buttonhole stitch towards the centre, leaving little space for much other than the bullion knot centre.

Right - the base row threads for the pyramid has been laid much closer to the corner, therefore not as many stitches can be accommodated, hence there is much more space in the centre. The circle is stabilising the web and the picots are adding texture. This in turn has left space at the intersections that need filling in to stabilise the square bars. Hugh areas of space are not kind to the eye neither are within the interest of longevity, stabilisation, or in laundering of the finished article.

The above two patterns have basically started out in the same way but because the area has been larger, approx. 1 ¾" or 4.5cm, to maintain the aesthetic quality something else has needed to be added. As very little of the pattern has been placed onto the square bars a feature can be made of them in the form of needle weaving and double buttonhole stitch.

Left - the pyramids have allowed for the circles to have more emphasis and in turn stabilise the web, the buttonhole stitch connecting to the pyramids has added even more.

Right - the outer pyramids have finished short therefore allowing another set to radiate from a circle at the centre. This has created a larger intervening area for the series of loops to fill and echo the angle of the pyramids to a very pleasing effect.

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