To pair or not to pair ... now that is a question

Two Janet Retter Reindeer bobbins with jingle spangles

Although bobbins sit on your pillow in pairs, I often see newbie lacemakers asking whether or not they need to have identical bobbins to make up that pair.

It may seem like a simple question, but behind it are many more things to be considered.

Bobbins tell a story about your life.  When many of us start to make lace, it's quantity of bobbins that we need so you will see a pillow with all the bobbin the same.  Then you begin to be bought a bobbin for a birthday or you buy one because you attended a lace day.

I have, on occasion bought two bobbins that are the same, such as these Janet Retter Reindeer bobbins.  Often because the design on the bobbin looks good as a pair.

As you start to try out different styles of lace, you will find a size and weight of bobbin that you like.  If one bobbin is a little lighter in weight then, with your East Mids bobbins, you might add in a slightly heavier spangle to make the over all weight match.

Choosing bobbins from a maker where they produce same size bobbins but with different illustrations is a great way of bringing difference onto your pillow whilst still being the same.

​These tulip bobbins, painted by Sarah Jones, work well with the other bobbins that I have by Sarah as she uses similar sized bobbins for her work.

Sarah Jones tulip painted ebony bobbins

Many lacemakers use bone bobbins, whether modern or antique. 

When I started to get into Bucks Point lace and was looking at having a large number of bobbins on my pillow, it was suggested to me that bone was a good choice because it is more dense than wood, and so weighs more. 

This means it can be turned to a finer bobbin for the same weight and take up less space on your pillow.

This started a move for me from wood to bone.  I still use wooden bobbins but there is a connection to lacemakers of the past when you use bone bobbins on a straw pillow.

So, pick up that bobbin, hold it in your hand and see if it speaks to you. Accept a single bobbin as a gift.  It doesn't matter if your bobbins match. 

And just like that, your pillow becomes a harlequin dressed in magical bobbins, creating the most beautiful lace.