Doigts De Fee

Le Carre Hermes > Fall-Winter 2000/01

FAIRY FINGERS

Lacework "a l'aiguille", or with the needle, depends purely and simply on the unaided hand, whereas lace "aux fuseaux", or with bobbins, require the use of a little loom, by means of which the thread winds about a bobbin, in both cases, what patience is needed! What skill is required to create these patterns which are both so light and yet so complex. One marvels at the playful intelligence, the sheer finesse and beauty, to which these works bear witness. Really one needs a lace-maker to write books of philosophy.