The Patterns

The patterns

The drawn patterns according to which bobbin lace is made are called prickings. These specify the working direction and stitches. Depending on the sequence of stitches, different typical motives/patterns are created: bats ("Fledomaislan"), mosquitoes ("Muggn"), trees/leaves ("Bamlan"), snails ("Schneggilan"), ribbons ("Randlan") and many more. Normally, the bobbin lace is created from the inside to the outside. At each change of direction, the thread is fixed and tightened with a pin. There are prickings in many levels of difficulty.

This pricking from Prettau shows a particularly difficult pattern that was made with very fine threads. As a result of frequent use, the pinholes were resealed with hot glue. Ca. 1930s.

Pricking for art lace from Proveis, 1914, with star stitch, honeycomb motif and narrow ribbon motif.

Pricking, 1960s, with tree motif. In the Ahrntal Valley, the tree or leaf pattern is also known as the traditional "Prettau pattern".

This pattern card was used at the end of the 19th century in the bobbin lace school in Proveis (South Tyrol). 1/3

In the first line of each "tutorial" we see the pricking, in the second line a blueprint of the lace made according to the pricking. 2/3

The blueprint of the lace makes clear what the bobbin lace letter is not able to describe in more detail. 3/3

Written on the pricking is the price of an order of the lace made according to this design: 4500 Italian lire, which today corresponds to about 80 Euros.

Pricking for making lace to decorate the corners of a tablecloth or cushion.

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Franz Xaver Mitterer