Armenian needlelace

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Armenian needlelace (also known as Bebilla, Nazareth Lace and Knotted Lace) is a pure form of needle lace made using only a needle, thread and pair of scissors.

Armenian Needlelace circa 2004
Armenian Needlelace circa 2004

Contents

Like Lacis Armenian needlelace seems to be an obvious descendant of netmaking. Where lacis adds decorative stitches to a net ground, Armenian needlelace involves making the net itself decorative.

There is some archeological evidence suggesting the use of lace in prehistoric Armenia and the prevelance of pre-Christian symbology in traditional designs would certainly suggest a pre-Christian root for this art form.

In contrast to Europe where lace was the preserve of the nobility, in Armenia it decorated everything from traditional headscarves to lingerie and lacemaking was part of many or most women's lives.

The lace is made by tying knots, usually tied onto the previous round of the piece creating small loops of thread onto which the next round of knots can be tied. Patterns are created by varying the length of the loops, missing loops from the previous round, adding extra loops and similar.

When used as an edging the lace can be made directly onto the hem of the fabric being edged. When a doily or freeform object (such as the birds and flowers decorating traditional headscarves) is being started a series of loops is tied onto a slip knot which is pulled tight to complete the first round.

  • Kasparian, Alice Odian (1983). Armenian Needlelace and Embroidery: A Preservation of Some of History's Oldest and Finest Needlework. Epm Pubns Inc. ISBN 0-914440-65-9. 
  • Dickson, Elena (2000). Knotted Lace in the Eastern Mediterranean Tradition. Sterling Publishing. ISBN 1-86351-121-0. 


Lace types
Needle Punto in Aria | Point de Venise | Point de France | Alençon | Argentan | Argentella | Hollie Point | Point de Gaze | Youghal | Limerick
Embroidered: Reticella | Buratto | Filet/Lacis | Tambour | Teneriffe | Needlerun Net
Cut Work: Broderie Anglaise | Carrickmacross
Bobbin Ancient: Antwerp | Pottenkant | Ecclesiastical | Freehand | Torchon
Continental: Binche | Flanders | Mechlin | Paris | Valenciennes
Point ground: Bayeux | Blonde | Bucks point | Chantilly | Tønder | Beveren | Lille
Guipure: Genoese | Venetian | Bedfordshire | Cluny | Maltese
Part laces: Honiton | Brugges | Brussels
Tape: Milanese | Flemish | Russian | Peasant
Tape:  Mezzopunto | Princess | Renaissance | Romanian point
Knotted:  Macramé | Tatting | Armenian
Crocheted Irish crochet | Hairpin | Filet crochet
Knitted Shetland | Estonian | Icelandic | Danish | German
Machine-made:  Warp Knit | Leavers | Pusher | Barmen | Curtain Machine | Chemical
Hand Finished: Hand-run Gimps
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