Wheels and Rosettes
Wheels and rosettes are used to fill up spaces, or in combination, to form lace.
No. 25.—Rosette in Raised Point d’Angleterre.—This rosette is worked in a manner similar to the English wheel, the difference being that after each stitch is passed round and under the bars, the thread is passed loosely around in the reverse direction, as shown in the illustration, before proceeding to make the next stitch.
No. 26.—Mechlin Lace Wheels.—This is one of the prettiest stitches in point lace, but also one of the most difficult to work correctly. It is made thus: Work a number of diagonal bars in button-hole stitch on a single thread in one direction, then begin at the opposite side in the same way, and work 5 or 6 stitches past the spot where the two lines cross; pass the thread round the cross twice, under and over the thread to form a circle. Work in button-hole stitch half of one-quarter, make a dot by putting a fine pin in the loop instead of drawing the thread tight, and work 3 button-hole stitches in the loop held open by the pin, then take the pin out and continue as before. Beginners will do well to omit the dot, leaving the loop only on the wheel. Mechlin wheels are also worked in rows upon horizontal and parallel lines of thread.
No. 27.—English Wheel.—This is worked in the same manner as Sorrento wheels, but instead of winding the thread over and under the bars, the needle is inserted under each bar, and brought out again between the thread and the last stitch; this produces a kind of button-hole stitch, and gives the square, firm appearance possessed by this wheel.
Nos. 28 and 30.—Sorrento Wheel.—This is worked by fastening the thread in the pattern to be filled up, as indicated by the letters. Fasten it first to the place a, then at place b, carrying it back to the middle of the first formed bar by winding it round; fasten again at c, carrying it back again to the center by winding it around the bar, and so on to all the letters; then work over and under the bars thus formed.
No. 29.—Close English Wheels.—These wheels may be used in open spaces and may be very easily made from the engraving. They are much like the wheels used in drawn work—indeed, many of the stitches used in lace are identical with those used in drawn-work.