frivolité

There I was feeling pleased with having mastered the craft of Tatting! 

Having dabbled in the craft and being interested in all needlecrafts, I looked it up in the lovely old Encyclopedia of Needlework that Knottman2 placed in my care. 

Apparently it is known in almost all European countries as 'frivolité, only in the UK do we call it Tatting. It is thought that the craft of frivolité was seen as inferior or frivolous compared to 'real' lace-making which of course the French and Belgians took very seriously - there is a wonderful Lace Museum in Calais, right by the hotel we usually stay in. 

Anyway, as I turned over to pages such as this, I was bewildered - this doesn't look very frivolous to me!! My poor little samples, of which I was so proud, looked like nothing compared to this. In fairness, my samples were made using a long needle, whilst these instructions assume the use of a tatting shuttle (or two shuttles) and I am amazed to find these are readily available. So someone must be still tatting. 

And just as I was looking in the book last night, ValC posted this. Her sister had made a mat very like the one in the book. I was mightily impressed! 

Meanwhile, Gordon is at the Cricket in Leeds.