Some consider Needle lace to be the pinnacle of lace-making arts, as it is the most flexible, and also the most time-consuming.

Needle lace is characterized by the use of a needle to stitch up hundreds of little stitches to form the lace itself.

In its purest form the only equipment and materials used are a needle, thread and scissors. This form of lace making originated in Armenia where there is evidence of a lace making tradition dating back to the pre-christian era.

Starting in the 17th century a variety of styles developed where the work is started by securing the main, heavier guiding threads onto a stiff background (eg thick paper) with stitches that can later be removed. The work is then built up using a variety of stitches - the most basic being a variety of blanket stitch. When the entire area is covered with the stitching, the stay-stitches are released and the lace comes away from the paper.

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Lace