Page 381 - Lindsey Philpott "The Ultimate Book of Decorative Knots"

ornamental knots 375

This canvas ditty
bag, with open
thread work on the
sides, was made
by Tony Doran of
Surrey, UK. Note
that the canvas
used is stripped
of the weft yarns
and the remain-
ing warp yarns are
tied together in
bundles or tied to
each other in the
form of Solomon
Bar and Square
Knotting work –
an object to be
This anchor was made by my friend and fellow admired, rather
knot-tyer, Lily Morales. than used aboard
ship!
coverings of the sofas and armchairs. Macassar oil
was named for the area of the Island of Celebes in work. The fringed edges of canvas work would
Indonesia where the oil was made from the ylang- receive attention in the form of macramé, while
ylang tree. The area is now known as Ujang Padang. the canvas itself was woven with ribbons and
Covers for furniture were made from crochet-work, other attachments that were intended to enhance
embroidery, or tatting. Sometimes we find the most its appeal and utility. It was much used on the
interesting pieces of history in the most apparently Admiral’s barge and in other lordly decorative tasks.
mundane of places! It is upon the edges and open weaves of the work
The basic stitches of tatting are the half stitch that we focus here, leaving the addition of ribbons
and the double stitch. After that, everything else is and other sewing-related tasks to others to explain
a matter of forming circles, loops, half-rounds, and in some greater detail. The work here shows an
other shapes, each of which is made with the same example of how the edges may be decorated with
stitches linked to and through each other to form tasselings and square knotting.
the beautiful tracery reminiscent of bobbin laces
(such as Honiton lace) or needle lace from the great
French masters (such as Alençon lace, also known ply-split Work
as point d’Alençon). Strictly speaking, tatting is, of My good friend Maggie Machado, a practising
course, a knotted lace, not made either with bobbins devotee of this style of cord-work, introduced me
or with needles but made with a refinement of the to the few pieces I have shown here. I bow to her
netting needle. When incorporated into a fine mesh superior knowledge and abilities in this art form,
fabric, the quick passerby would not really know the and I include here some of her own creations for
difference, although the knowledgeable lace-maker your enjoyment. Look for a great selection of ply-
would certainly be able to tell. split work by Portland teacher Linda Erickson,
master crafter Peter Collingwood (now, regrettably,
Canvas Work deceased), and world master Erroll Pires to see
Because canvas was so plentiful aboard sailing more of this fascinating craft.
ships, it was used not only for sewing sail-bags, ditty Ply-split work may have started with the
bags, and canvas clothing, but also for decorative construction of making camel girths (straps) for use