Teneriffe Lace Earrings created for Gina B Silkworks

Today I am sharing some quick to make Teneriffe Lace earrings that I made ready for Gina’s Lace show on Hochanda TV tomorrow at mid day (29^th Oct on Freeview Channel 85 or watch catch up online via their website.

Materials:

·         Black crochet cotton no.12

·         Teneriffe Lace Starter Kit Loom 3 (Gina B Silkworks)

·         Fabric glue (optional)

·         Silver plated earring findings

·         Rolls Fabrifix Spray (roller blind fabric stiffener and protector spray)

·         Baking parchment

How to do it:
Note: Gina’s starter kit provides general instructions for stretching the web, darning the centre, reverse backstitch and knotting etc.

1.       Web (16): stretch the web on the smallest circle to create 16 edge loops (i.e. total of 32 threads crossing the central section).

2.       Centre DD for 2 rows: Double darn the centre to neaten up the crossing threads etc. On the second row offset the threads darned in the first row (as in weaving).

3.       Revs (2) for 4 rows: Reverse backstitch over 2 threads. Ensure that the threads from adjacent ‘loops’ are grouped together to form the outer ‘petal’ loops. Note: The side facing you is the back of the work.

4.       K 2e for 1 row: Knot 2 threads together to secure groups of threads creating the long scalloped edge loops that make the petals. Fasten off and add a small dab of fabric glue if desired to seal the fastening knot.

5.       Remove from the loom and spray both sides with stiffening spray. I laid my lace onto a bit of baking parchment to do this (so not stick). Note: Use this spray in a well ventilated area as the solvent is quite smelly. I like to use this spray as it both stiffens and protects the piece from moisture. It also dries very quickly (within a couple of minutes). Alternatively you could use diluted clear drying PVA glue or Transparent Powertex fabric hardener, but these are more messy and take a while to dry. Gina also produces a lovely Kanzashi Starch that could be used neat or diluted on the lace (great choice for pieces used as linens etc.).

Note: The hardest part to get right is the Teneriffe Lace Knot which holds it all together. Get this wrong and your lace won’t hold together properly when you remove it from the loom. Should this happen, don’t despair, do what I did with my first lace attempts and glue it to a card or a mixed media canvas.

There is a great beginners video from Gina to help with this.
I hope that you like the lace earrings. They are fairly quick to make and are ideal if you are a beginner and feel a little daunted with making the larger medallions. Teneriffe Lace is definitely a ‘slow craft’ akin to knitting or cross stitch, don’t expect quick results. Take your time and enjoy the process xxxx.