a short guide
What to know about Lace
Lace is a decorative craft worked in fine thread to create a light, open-work fabric. In Turkey, lace almost always means crochet lace: chains, double crochets and filet mesh worked with a very fine hook into floral, star or geometric designs. Some pieces are worked in one piece from the center outward, others are built from small motifs made one at a time and joined together. That flexibility means lace patterns scale to any size, from a coaster to a bedspread.
Welcome to the world of Lace! No rush: the most beautiful work grows stitch by stitch, with patience.
Lace holds a special place in Turkish home culture and especially in the çeyiz tradition, the hope chest of handmade linens a bride brings to her new home. The coffee table covers, coverlet sets and cushion edgings mothers and grandmothers crochet over the years are passed down through generations in those chests. Mercerized cotton thread is the usual choice for lace; it is glossy, durable and washes well. The finer the thread, the smaller the hook, and the finest lace is worked with very thin steel hooks. To keep the finished piece crisp, it is traditional to wash it, block it into shape while drying and starch it when needed.
Tablecloths and bedspreads are the most ambitious lace projects; worked with patience, they become the showpiece of a home. Coverlet sets and cushion patterns tie a bedroom together, while kitchen lace decorates the fridge top, the bread basket and the counter. Towel edgings, thanks to their small size, are the ideal starting point both for beginners and for anyone filling a hope chest. Sets made in the same design give the different corners of a home a coordinated, unified look.
In El İşi Dünyası you can browse lace patterns by the Tablecloths & Sets and Towel Edgings subcategories. Use the sort options to bring the most saved or highest rated posts to the top, and add the pieces you love to your favorites. Makers can note the thread they used, the hook size and pattern details in the description; ask in the comments wherever you get stuck, and follow the lace makers you admire to see their new work in the Friends tab. The app is free to download and use.
