The Lace of ' Gravenmoer, in the Low Countries

The village of ‘s Gravenmoer, in North Brabant, not far from Antwerp, used to be an active lace making place, from the 17th till the 19th century. The interest, for research, lies in the special stitch called the diagonal half stitch. Women used to make lace on standard prickings (*) making simple geometrical patterns inspired by local life: windmills, boats,(the village used to be a harbour), or flowers, like in Pottenkant, or even trees, orchards being numerous in the area.

A group of lace makers from LOKK (www.lokk.nl ) have done research about this long forgotten lace, and published a book of great value in which they present the history of the lace, the diagonal half stitch, the technique as well as 60 modern reconstructions after old designs. You will also find about 20 modern patterns in which the famous diagonal half stitch has found a new life. The book is written, in Dutch, German and English , 271 pages, size 21x29.7 cm . You can also get a translation into French if you wish (41 pages, size 21x29.7).

See the site of the LOKK to order Kant uit Vlanderen en ‘s Gravenmoer
Report written by Josette Martin

(*)For standard prickings, see Vibeke Ervø’s article in the OIDFA Bulletin 4/1999