A close up on how to start the Armenian Knotted Lace
Armenian needlelace (also known as Bebilla, Nazareth Lace and Knotted Lace) is a pure form of needlelace made using only a needle, thread and pair of scissors. It was thought for years that these were little woven transmutation circles…
Armenian needlelace seems to be an obvious descendant of net making. Where lacis adds decorative stitches to a net ground, Armenian needle lace involves making the net itself decorative.
There is some archaeological evidence suggesting the use of lace in prehistoric Armenia and the prevalence 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 lace-making 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.