The Priscilla Battenberg and point lace book; a collection of lace ...

every stitch the needle is thrust through the loop
above and back of the parallel thread, so that it is
always held with the loop > in the twist cf the net
stitch, and forms a part of the body of the lace.
A very novel effect is produced by missing some
of the loops of the network, and in the next row
working the same number of stitches in the loops
so formed. The result is a series of open spaces
in the close' net work that is very odd. These
open spaces may be placed at regular intervals over
the entire network, or may be so spaced as to
form a design. In i"ig. 66 the iirst row is a series
of close buttonhole stitches. The thread is then
carried back to the opposite side, and a second row
of buttonhole stitches over it is begun. Pour of
these stitches are placed, and the next four omitted.
The following six
are worked, and
the next four
omitted. The next
four are worked.
The next row is
worked without
any omissions.
When the open
spaces are reached,
Fl6. 66. Tenetian Stitoh.
the same number of stitches are worked in each as
were omitted in the former row. In the following
row the open space is left just between and below
the two spaces of the upper row. Another com-
plete row follows. The sixth rOw is a repetition
of the second row.
Double Venetian or Cobweb Stitch.
One of the most beautiful and popular of all the
lace stitches is the double Venetian. This is made
in the same way
as the single Venetian,
except
that, instead of
a single button-
hole stitch in
each loop, two
are used. The
two stitches aid
each other in
FI(S. 67.
keeping the thread firmly in place, and make a
very regular, substantial filling, that has a very
fine lace-like appearance. The loop between the
stitches is left loose and held in place with a pin
as shown in the illustration.
Cobweb Stitch,
26
This stitch may also be made with three button-
hole stitches in
W o r k e d in
each loop, as shown in Fig. 68.
'
this way the
effect is de-
cidedly close
and solid, un-
less the loops
are made suf-
ficiently large
to aUow ample
space for the
three stitches.
Fig. 68. Venetian Stitch.
Darned Figures on Venetian Background.
After a space has been filled with the plain,
close Venetian stitch, it may be embellished in a
variety of ways, and so made very effective and
rich in appearance. With a fine linen floss, or
other loosely twisted thread, pretty tufts or spots
may be darned over two rows of the Venetian
background. When worked at regular intervals,
they add greatly to the richness of the work.
Stars and trefoils in bullion stitch, buttonholed
rings, and other fancy stitches may also be used.
When a very solid, cloth-like effect is desired,
the Venetian stitch is worked with the net stitches
very close together. Only sufficient room is left,
for the placing of
the net stitch of
the succeeding
row. The straight
thread aids also
'in producing an
almost solid effect.
This compact
method of work-
ing this stitch is
seen most frequently in Venetian lace, where it is
used as a filling for leaves, scrolls, and various
parts of the design to be thrown out most effect-
ively by the open background of Raleigh bars, or
the even regular net ground.
Spider or Wheel Stitch.
Fig. 69. Venetian Stitch.
This is a very rich and beautiful filling for large
spaces. Beginning at the upper left corner, a diag-
onal line is laid across the space at an angle of
forty-five degrees. The thread is then returned,
but without twisting, to the first end of the diago-
nal line, so that the two threads form a double line