Discover, Explore and Master Torchon - Ulrike Voelcker

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Ulrike Voelcker's three volume Torchon tuition is probably the definitive for teaching yourself everything about Torchon lace.

The three volumes are supplied as A4, 4 hole punched sets.  You purchase each individually, however, some suppliers offer special offers on them.
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Probably the hardest task with these three volumes will be finding a A4 folder for our American friends.

The three volumes cover a number of different elements to build up your understanding and techniques of Torchon lace

Discovering - Blue Book

• This covers the basics of lacemaking, including threads, basic stitches & grounds
• Most of the prickings use between 15 - 25 pairs
• All the prickings are printed in the same size

Exploring - Red Book

• This is a collection of prickings for shawls, tablecloths and also a small stitch sampler
• Each project introduces new techniques to practice and build on each other

Mastering - Green Book

• Introduces further techniques to build on the Discover book.
• The final volume has a technique reference for all three books.

What works well?

• Exceptionally clear photography
• Colour coded diagrams throughout
• High quality, clear printing

​Anything that we need to take into consideration?

• There is a technique index, but this is on the last page of volume three so is only available once you purchase this
• The English translations are readable, but may need a little thinking to understand the translation.
• Some of the prickings need to be enlarged and the information on what percentage is not always obviously placed
• Some of the terminology may be different to what you use, in which case, you should look carefully at the stitch diagrams and the use of C & T (cross and twist) to understand the stitch
• A few of the techniques such as leaves and tallies are explained, but for those new to the techniques I would recommend watching YouTube videos on these from people such as Louise West.
• These books are currently in print and available from most lace suppliers