Needle lace bags

I made a series of little needle lace bags a while ago and have recently been photographing them. They were easy shapes to work on and carry around to take up when I had an odd moment to spare for lacemaking. The backs are simple corded buttonhole stitch, worked fairly loosely to give an open appearance. The fronts are all different but are much thicker and textural with thicker cordonets.

I also had fun making up different types of ‘handles’ for them. Some have chunky cordonets worked into loops at the top of the bag, some are plaited, and others have bound threads held in place by decorative knots. They’re all made in shades of yellow, are the same size and have a long tassel at the base so although they are all different they form a group for exhibiting.