than the
others.

Before proceeding further, it is as well to prepare our readers for the
many trials they will have to make, even with the help of the most
minute explanations, before they succeed in carrying out the directions;
for the whole art of making pillow lace lies in a manual dexterity, only
attainable by practice.

[Illustration: FIG. 786. NET GROUND. COMPLETED.]

Even copying the patterns from description is only possible at first in
a qualified sense; the surest way of attaining a satisfactory result is
by constantly comparing the drawing and the work in progress and
wherever the latter does not correspond with the former, trying at once
to rectify the difference.

LINEN OR CLOTH GROUND.--The pattern used for net passing can also be
used for linen passing or ground but 7 pins, instead of 6, have to be
stuck in at the top first. As in net passing, you work first from left
to right, running 2 threads to and fro in perfectly horizontal lines, so
as to produce a ground resembling linen in its texture.

The threads that run to and fro are held at the edge with pins and
changed by a half passing, so that the one that was first in going, is
first also in returning.

[Illustration: FIG. 787. PATTERN FOR PLAIN HOLE GROUND.]

[Illustration: FIG. 788. PLAIN HOLE GROUND.]

The use of the machine for crossing the threads is especially to be
recommended in working linen ground; by pressing the short branches of
the machine, the position of the threads is changed and the bobbin is
pushed through; by a second pressure the second bobbin is driven
through, the pin is stuck in for the picot or the cord, when the
bobbins are taken back again, four movements being thus all that is
required.

[Illustration: FIG. 789. WHEEL BEGUN IN HOLE GROUND.]

[Illustration: FIG. 790. WHEEL IN HOLE GROUND COMPLETED.]

PLAIN HOLE GROUND (figs. 787 and 788).--Hole ground can be worked in
various ways; we will begin by describing the plain hole ground, which
as a rule forms the ground of all torchon laces. After fixing the
pattern, as represented in fig. 787, upon the pillow, stick in 5 pins,
hang 2 pairs of bobbins on to each and throw the 2nd bobbin of each pair
over its fellow = 1 half passing with the 2nd and 3rd pairs = put up a
pin at point 1 = 1 half passing with the same pair = this encloses the
pin = lay the 3rd pair aside = 1 half passing with the 2nd and 1st pair
= put up a pin at point 2 = enclose it with the same pairs