A Tangled Tale or The Secrets of Bobbin Lace - So many bobbins!

I learned bobbin lace and made a lace cap and collar decoration for my Askola folk costume. If you have ever wondered how bobbin lace works, this video will explain the basics. Enjoy!
You can buy the collar lace pattern from Taito Etelä-Suomi: www.taitoetelasuomi.fi/index....
and the Floderi and Frimodiglai patterns from Pits-Priia:
www.nyplaajat.net/pits-priia/...
If you want to support my channel, here is the link to my Ko-Fi account: ko-fi.com/withmyhandsdream
My blog: withmyhandsdream.com
References:
Iitti costume detail with Floderi lace. Photo credits: Mari Varonen. Check out her huge Finnish folk costume collection here: kansallispuvussa.com/
Black and white film clips are from a 1938 documentary film "Rauman Pitsit" by Kansatieteellinen filmi Oy and used with permission: elonet.finna.fi/Record/kavi.e...
Rauma laces: finna.fi/Record/museovirasto....
Tykkipitsi: finna.fi/Record/museovirasto....
Askola tykki lace from the original silk cap: www.finna.fi/Record/museovira...
Floderi extant lace that the pattern is based on, KM:KE 8927:42: www.finna.fi/Record/museovira...
Tykkipitsi lace, patterns are Floderi and Kouknatto: www.finna.fi/Record/museovira...
Music: Epidemic sound www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
KZbin Audio Library (attribution not required)
Filming Equipment:
Canon EOS R10 amzn.to/3h1b1mm
Mic: Rode VideoMicro Compact On-Camera Microphone: amzn.to/2RcZ9Ab
VO mic: amzn.to/3Oliadm

[@notashroom]

Your lace is beautiful, and so complicated. I'm sure I would get lost in my patterns and bobbins and make a mess of it if I tried, so it's very good that there are clever people like you keeping it alive. I love that you are keeping your heritage alive in this way.

[@tausa75]

What an unexpected delight to find your channel and your beautiful work today.

[@nicholejoslin4324]

"Not as delicate" she says! That is some of the finest, most delicate lace I've ever seen! It came out so beautiful!

[@jackiejames4551]

The lace cap is just beautiful. I'm amazed at your dedication to learning all these new skills to make your national costume. Can't wait to see what comes next.

[@withmyhandsdream]

Thank you! I think a big part of why the national costumes are so important is that making them keeps these old crafts alive.

[@karenbarker5018]

Wow, I am absolutely in awe!!!! Your work is so beautiful!!!! I have started to learn bobbin lace but also, I have four cats and a dog, so, making sure that I keep it well away from them!!!!

[@warpedweft9004]

I've found that linen thread is easier to get a neat result from than cotton thread as it seems to stay where it is put better than cotton. Yes, it is more expensive but you use so little in a year that lacemaking is quite a cheap craft after the initial outlay for a pillow and bobbins. I have a few pillows I've made from polyethylene foam packing, and even a swimming kick board, which cost virtually nothing, and bobbins made from thick bamboo skewers with pony beads glued on as handles, with one bead at the other end to prevent the thread from falling off. These are all you need to start and can be replaced gradually, if and when you decide you like the craft and can afford nicer equipment.

[@ginacable5376]

How absolute enchanting.

[@rebekahchalkley3252]

This video was an absolute pleasure to watch and the best overview of bobbin lace that I have seen so far. Thank you for sharing. Your work is stunning!

[@angela2007march]

Omg that's nuts how much work that is amazing

[@ThoughtAI.shortstyle]

I live in the Netherlands. There is a lot of bobbin lace headpieces. I like them a lot.

[@withmyhandsdream]

Finns used to buy lots of lace for their caps from Netherlands. Women also copied Dutch patterns a lot.

[@ThoughtAI.shortstyle]

@@withmyhandsdream wow!

[@user-vv4hg7me1q]

I love the sound of bobbins working. Fabulous video.

[@pchabanowich]

Formidable! An intellectual scramble of knots and braids challenging the casual viewer to keep any track of what's going on. Like learning to play the piano... 32 pairs of bobbins? This is a WOW!💐

[@grammykcutter6374]

I admire your determination to keep these old skills alive. You do beautiful work. Enjoy watching you.

[@withmyhandsdream]

Thank you! I have now taught this skill forward to my daughter as well, so the tradition continues!

[@Booboonancy]

I love knitting lace but watching you work with bobbins is mesmerizing. I honestly don’t think I could do it as focusing is a bit of a challenge for me 🥴. Your work is so beautiful and I love the idea of keeping old traditions going as they form part of our identity.

[@bethkolle1]

You have learned so much in a short time and are doing a great job! I am a Norwegian American who has danced Nordic folk dances and taught for years. I have made bobbinlace for my ‘bunad’ (traditional Norwegian dress), and for others’ as well. I have also embroidered and sewn several bunader. It is so much fun to put the bunad on and dance for an audience!

[@user-nt4oy8cu1n]

Wow! I am so impressed. I thought I was doing good handcrafts, and then I see this! Amazing! Beautiful! Love from usa. My grandparents came from Sweden around 1900. Great respect for your beautiful work!

[@user-iz2eb1zb2d]

I love how it turned out. It is beautiful work! I am lacemaker too and I passed my knowledge to my youngest daughter. I love making lace.

[@user-iz2eb1zb2d]

Where I can find the pattern? I went to the website but I couldn't find it. I guess the difficulty is the language.

[@angela2007march]

I am very impressed you are learning a lost art and keeping it alive

[@rosy_ranirani4865]

I love the pic in which the little girl is taught by her granny to make a simple twist with the bobbins .❤❤❤❤

[@helenchen1209]

Amazing job! Thank you for showing us how the bobbin lace cap was made. Absolutely stunning!!🤩🤩

[@tondriasanders6306]

This is so beautiful. What a treasure. Thank you for sharing this journey with us. May family has been in the US for at least 200 years, so I don’t know what our traditional clothes were from where we emigrated. However, Ive been wanting to learn lace making for decades because my great grandmother made lace and I want our family to hold onto these unique and beautiful skills.

[@islandstylediving]

I don’t knit, or sow.. but I watched your entire video. Gorgeous. And a great video . Very impressive detailed video.

[@LongHairCarolyn]

Wow! It looks amazing. I’ve been doing crochet lace after failing at bobbin lace many years ago. I keep telling myself that crochet lace is perfectly good but you’re making me doubt that! ❤

[@lorenstribling6096]

I make crochet lace as well but usually make shawls and dresses for my granddaughter's dolls. Bobbin lace is fascinating but I get a bit dizzy watching those bobbins fly.

[@rebeccabutler9728]

Just beautiful!

[@aprilrains9921]

Thank you for sharing this beautiful art work. It makes me dizzy trying to follow the threads, so I am very glad you showed me how to make these lovely lace panels.

[@lamichiganr326]

*I've just found your video and it was mesmerizing.* *Gorgeous work.* *My family is from the Netherlands and they wore the Old World Dutch kap, white linen and lace with the triangle sides for Tulip Fest in Holland Michigan.*

[@daniellekiey-thomas1327]

Thank you so much for sharing this. Your cap is so beautiful! 😍 I have been fascinated with lacemaking for quite some time. I’m a ceramic artist but am always adding to my skills, I learned weaving last year and took art classes to learn how to paint, but lacemaking is definitely on my learning list!

[@AngelCCD]

Wow! Beautiful!

[@rawforyou5514]

I am so awed by your craft and talent.... It is super beautiful. I cannot even follow the threads if i tried.... I enjoyed your explanation and think the traditional costumes are totally lovely. Thank you for sharing, it is an absolute pleasure!!!

[@user-vv4hg7me1q]

Hello, S here again. The surname of my Finnish lace contact inTuusala is KOSONEN. I am enjoying all of your videos so much. They include everything I like and treasure.

[@withmyhandsdream]

Hi! You can send more details to my email: [e-mail]!

[@user-cs7bj2ws7l]

Very informative video. Thank you.

[@tallgrasslanestitches6635]

I’m Canadian, and my parents are British/English, and German (what would formerly have been East Prussia). I grew up surrounded by the descendants of Ukrainians and Mennonites. I live on Treaty 1 lands, the traditional home of the Anishinaabe and Métis people. I’d love to make a garment one day that is a sort of personal reflection of all these influences in and around me. It’s a dream though, at least for now, since I’d have to do a lot of consulting before embarking on such a project!

[@withmyhandsdream]

Oh, that cocktai of cultures would make a gorgeous dress!

[@Madamoizillion]

Lace always seemed like magic to me, but watching you go through the steps, I realized it's not too different from knitting, in that it has rows and simple movements that when combined create more complex patterns. I wish was better at finishing project, because I love linen lace and handmade lace and it almost doesn't exist anymore. I wish I had more connection to my cultural heritage. My grandma's ancestry is Russian German (Black Sea German, AKA Odessa German) but unfortunately there's only so much I know. I think part of it was that my grandma was born during WWII and because of the war, her father actually forbade the family from speaking German (and I'd guess by extension, expressing much German affiliation) so she didn't even learn to speak German. Any potential cultural traditions never got passed down. On my paternal side, I barely know anything since I am estranged from that family; all I know is I have an Irish last name and possibly some Norwegian heritage. So I wish I knew more about my ancestors' lives: how they dressed, how they spent their time, what was their home like, what foods they made and ate, how did they celebrate occasions and holidays... I can only make vague guesses, sadly. 😞

[@mariecochlan664]

Oh my! What a beautiful piece of work! Thank you for sharing this with us.

[@marypauly1083]

That is so much to keep track of- that is beautiful-

[@linr8260]

Ooooooh 30 pairs sounds like a right pain, but the result is SO good, I'm amazed you got there in just a few months. Congrats on the skills and on the cap! Also your lace pillow is so nice and wide, what a great find.

[@withmyhandsdream]

Thank you! I live in a great place with several of those fleamarkets (called Recycling centers) that usually sell every crafting tool imaginable!

[@warpedweft9004]

30 is quite manageable. 60 pairs becomes more of a nightmare, especially if you accidentally drop the pillow and they all get tangled. Using coloured card for the pricking helps. Trying to untangle white thread on a white background is not fun! Like knitting, once you understand how the patterns and stitches work, you can spot mistakes in time to undo them.

[@cadileigh9948]

I shall be looking through the laces made by my great aunt with greater apreciation of her work. Thank you.

[@withmyhandsdream]

You’re welcome!

[@weeddaddymike3588]

Thank you. I love bobbin lace. I'm 70 and have been toying with bobbin lace since I was 13. Thank you for your presentation. All of my projects are in storage gathering dust, unfortunately.

[@vickileonard72]

When I was a little girl my grandma's friend tried to teach my this. It's the only time I ever saw it. After 1afternoon I was not asked back but I do remember alot of chuckling from those 2 old birds B4 I left. I wish now that I'm the old bird (I'm probably older than they were then) I wish I could have understood it

[@robintheparttimesewer6798]

The lace is stunning! A true work of art!

[@tracybrewer3377]

Absolutely amazing to watch this beautiful art. It looks so difficult to do. I know i could never do it. But i really enjoyed watching you make this lace. It would take quite a while to get the hang of it. I do hope it's an art that will never die. We need the lace making to continue for many years to come. Would be so terrible if this craft ended. Thank you for sharing this video with us.

[@GTaichou]

Thank you so much for this video!! I've seen shorts of bobbin lacemaking and wanted to know more. I'd love to learn myself at some point! I just can't help my desire to make my own nice details for my home and clothing.

[@maxgoodman2986]

Thank you for sharing your wonderful artistry!

[@pennytrupiano2689]

Real treat to see your cap finished...

[@consolw]

Wow, that’s absolutely stunning! I had some lace making lessons many years ago but with two young kids there just wasn’t time for new hobbies but seeing your video has lit a fire in me. I am so thankful I kept my pillow and bobbins and now I will contact our local lace guild and see if someone teaches bobbin lace. I am living in a large city in South Australia so there should be someone ☺️ so thank you for showing us your beautiful work ❤

[@amberclemons-lopez7220]

Absolutely beautiful lace!I can’t wait to see more of what you do.💖

[@mlp6646]

This was very interesting, thank you for the video. I do traditional bobbin lace from my country (as a hobby), which is nowhere near Finland, and imagine my shock when I heard you talking about "spiders" - we have the exact same pattern. The basics are also the same (cloth stitch, half stich), though they are arranged a bit different once you get past the beginner stage. The lace you show at 7:26 was the first pattern I was taught! I wish we used a table, since it seems so much easier to manage all the bobbins on it. We use only the pillow, usually in a basket to allow it to move in all directions. Fewer pairs of bobbins are used (8 is average for intermediate skill patterns; and I don't think I've ever seen a pattern needing more than 30), and the lace is worked by winding it from side to side of a ribbon (imagine driving up a mountain along a series of narrow hairpins - the patterns look just like a map of that road). To make wider ribbons, individual parts would be "laced" together (I don't know how to describe it, but crochet hooks are used) on the pillow while working the second part; they're never sewn together. The lace is wound quite tightly, the threads stretched to near breaking point, so there's no need to starch the lace. Traditionally linen thread was used, then cotton. The lace-makers were usually too poor to afford lace, so most of what they made was sold for use on clothing (eg. lace collars, handkerchiefs), house linens (tablecloths, bedsheets), and for decorating churches. This type of lace wasn't really used in headwear, since it was traditionally heavily embroidered. But recently some younger designers started using metallic thread to create jewelry, inspired by the old patterns. I made a metallic green necklace with swarowsky crystals to wear for a wedding (itchy, but fancy). ;-)

[@elenap15227]

What a beautiful craft! Your shirt looks exquisite with its lace 💖 I also liked your clear video edition, relaxing choice of music and excelent, focused camerawork.

[@christineg8151]

Incredible work! The lace is gorgeous, and the embroidery on the cap is as well.

[@iramuzair4064]

Very elegant work very Weldon

[@SewTexas]

AMAZING, wish I would have learned how to weave the lace when I was very young, might be easier than now that I am old, beautiful talent, such art.

[@717379]

Absolutely charming 🤗 Much respect 😊

[@rougesunset]

So cool!

[@komododragon6061]

A work of art ❤🔥❤🔥❤🔥❤

[@BluestormsSong]

You do lovely work!

[@bloodiedXangel]

This is gorgeous. You made it look so easy. I have no idea how you manage to keep track of 30+ pairs of bobbins but you were flying. The finished pieces were wonderful

[@user-vv4hg7me1q]

Scot Joplin...excellent for dancing bobbins.

[@user-iz2eb1zb2d]

I love how it turned out. It is beautiful work! I am lacemaker too.

[@lizcollinson2692]

Still looks like magic to me 😂❤

[@aeong_bread]

i've been wanting to learn more about bobbin lace simply out of curiosity, but to find out you've only been practicing this for a few months and made such beautiful, intricate work is just astounding, i almost couldn't believe it!! thank you for the video, AMAZING work!!!

[@hannahstraining7476]

Thank you for this video! I've long wondered how bobbin lace was done and have watched tons of YT shorts of lace makers moving dozens of bobbins around the pillow. This was a very informative overview. I'm quite impressed with the quality of your beautiful lace given that you are a relative beginner. The lace is stunning, and a delicate accent to the bright, embroidered cap.

[@AW-pz3qc]

As usual, your work is perfect and I am another who admires your dedication. Many years ago I had to make a piece of bobbin lace as part of the textile course I was doing at the time, so I know what's involved. Of course, my piece was much smaller than your beautiful cap and not as many bobbins either, but watching you brings back a lot of memories. Love watching you work, thanks again.

[@withmyhandsdream]

Thank you!

[@adamakaru2683]

Katja, thank you, so much for refreshing KZbin, and the net. I don't see much from Finland, at all and I promise I will watch your presentation for as long as you have it thank you.

[@roxannepearls901]

I’m at a loss for words. Absolutely mind boggling process and practitioner ❤

[@elizabethpayne4517]

Your cap is so beautiful, and you have a wonderful talent ❤️

[@chrisberry9017]

Your work is absolutely beautiful. My sister made beautiful bobbin lace, and asked if I would like her pillow and bobbins when she needed to ‘downsize’. Knowing that I already have too many craft hobbies, I suggested that she find another more deserving recipient. I do have many beautifully decorative bobbins, which were gifted to me to celebrate birthdays and Christmases. Thank you for sharing your love work.

[@hoedown175]

Thank you for using different colored threads to show the stitches. It makes it easier to see how they came together

[@angelaross1]

Oh my this is fantastic. Amazing

[@withmyhandsdream]

Thank you!

[@karatstixraw]

My ancestry is from Norway and I have a festival costume kit (a bunad) that I purchased from Norway from the Ringerike region. I have embroidered most of the pieces but have half of the skirt left to do. I too love to learn the skills necessary to make it authentic. The cap for my costume is a simple wool bonnet with embridery. Thank you for all the details you shared. Your silk cap and bobbin lace are so beautiful!

[@withmyhandsdream]

Oh, the Norwegian folk dresses are gorgeous! I love the embroidery in them and the silver jewellery!

[@jlayman7381]

Beautiful!

[@JessicasCreativeSpot]

This is gorgeous!

[@edithheyns2393]

I recently watched a YT on knitting in Finland and it was fascinating.

[@martalewinski4421]

Amazingly beautiful ❤

[@stephenieolson8535]

So very lovely!

[@CrispyGFX]

Astonishing work!!!

[@amiedetherese]

Beautiful

[@colleen8192]

Beautiful work!

[@user-un4yw5mf4i]

Thank you for sharing this craft with us. I enjoyed the "history lesson" on lace making and being introduced to Askola folk costuming as much as the lace making tutorial (which is really what I came here for). So.... Thank you, again.

[@roodhoor]

I have had two hours where I thought I needed to pick this up as a new hobby - but I got away 😅 I really enjoyed watching you crafting and your explanations were superb! Thank you for letting me enjoy a fellow niche crafter in all their nerdy, heartfelt glory! Stay like you are!

[@edithheyns2393]

I love your work!!!!! Ypu are very talented.

[@geeskegrietje]

It is beautiful! Here in Fryslân we have costumes from the 1800-1900 with golden caps and lace. I own one from 1860 with a matching dress. I am going to learn bobbinlace to make myself a new cap.

[@withmyhandsdream]

Oh, I had to google them. Those caps have some similarities with our caps but instead of being silk they are metal! I could easily see how this French hood has been interpreted differently around Northern Europe where ot has got so many regional styles! Many of the pattern lacemakers used here came from Netherlands and now that I’ve seen your caps I understand why!

[@IBCowGal]

You are doing such a great job! Teach us in a slower video!

[@ceruleanskies001]

It has been a treasure watching the progress of costume. Thank you for sharing it!

[@withmyhandsdream]

Thank you and you’re welcome!

[@threadwork]

Very impressive and beautiful work.

[@withmyhandsdream]

Thank you!

[@zannaatje]

amazing craftsmanship. Thank you for sharing =}

[@pollytang8562]

Your bobbin lace were so beautiful ! Please let us know the finishing times of them and how you joined the new thread with the finishing old threads technique. Thank you for your sharing with your exquisite and beautiful handcrafted lace!❤❤❤

[@stancalung5186]

Oh my God! Is there something you cannot do? You are simply amazing! Congratulations and thank you for sharing with us your beautiful work! ♥♥♥

[@withmyhandsdream]

Thank you! There arr so many skills I’d like to learn but only can take up one at a time!

[@natalyaplokhotnyuk9709]

Grazie mille del video❤, avete fatto un lavoro eccezionale!😍😍😍 Inparare il tombolo è il mio prossimo obbiettivo 💪

[@Lehcar1]

That is amazing

[@christinad8576]

The finished piece was just lovely. Such a wonderful video. I learned so much.

[@qv81]

I cant believe I never even heard of this technique. It is amazing.

[@withmyhandsdream]

Thank you! It’s always fun to learn something new, isn’t it!

[@theverbind]

Absolutely beautiful!

[@marandastewart2336]

This is beautiful and wanted please continue to teach this beautiful art❤

[@user-pf1ub3og5h]

Moc krásné video. Nikdy jsem neviděla jak se sešívá a tuží krajka ke kroji. Určitě si to vyzkouším.

[@andreatsangjackson1721]

Wow! Your determination and skills are so impressive. Thanks for sharing your journey.

[@jennypraseutsinh]

amazing job!

[@eveaward5343]

I have wanted to learn this craft but have no idea what I need or start with. I pray to learn it in time to come.

[@haddiewillsburg1453]

Your crinoline is so lovely...thank you for the video!

[@emilysmith2784]

Wow this is just amazing. You are very skilled.

[@withmyhandsdream]

Thanks!

[@postman2758]

Hi Katja, thank you for sharing your project which turned out amazingly beautiful. Thank you for keeping the old crafts alive, and should be so proud of how the lace turned out, a great behind the scene story. Good luck with the tunic, you’ll produce something to elegant I’m sure, and look forward to seeing how this comes together. I am using torchon lace, I know weird for a guy to be into such a female dominated craft,

[@withmyhandsdream]

Thanks! You are not the only guy making lace. I myself know a very skilled bobbin lace maker who is a man and teaches the craft as well.

[@mcanna5115]

Wow!!! Is amazing

[@withmyhandsdream]

Thank you!