Lefkaritiko Lace

Contribution by GrantExpert, Cyprus

Materials:

Linen fabric, thread, needle, pins, lefkaritico, pillow, scissors

Technique:

Fixing the linen on the pillow

Attach the linen on the pillow, using needles.
Right-handed: Attach upper, lower and right-hand sides. Leave the left-hand side loose and slide the left hand under the linen.
Left-handed: Attach upper, lower and left-hand sides. Leave the right-hand side loose and slide the right hand under the linen.

Gazi Venetiko (“Venice” gauze)

Cut 8-10 vertical threads of linen.
Use a needle to pull out the cut threads. When you reach the desired length, cut with scissors.
Fix the thread on the upper side of the cut (2-3 horizontal threads above the cut ones).
Make an arch with spiral sewing. Start from the inside of the arch, pass the needle under the linen, puncture from bottom up and repeat towards the end or the arch.
Pass the needle under 4 horizontal threads of linen.
Make a loop around them. Repeat and fix the thread on the verge of the cloth.
Repeat step 6 with 4 horizontal threads each time, until you reach the bottom of the cut.
Make another arch at the bottom of the cut, following step 4. Then, follow steps 5-7 to join the opposite side of the horizontal threads.
Pass the sow inside the spiral of the arch. Push the sow by pulling the thread with fingers. When through, cut the thread with scissors.

Margarita skaloti (“staircase daisy” petals)

Preparation: make two holes with sow, 4 vertical threads apart from one another. 2. Enter the sow diagonally and exit from the left hole to fix the thread. 3. Enter the right hole with sow and exit one horizontal thread above the left hole.
Make 3 stitches moving upwards. On the 4th stitch, come out 4 vertical threads further left.
Make 3 stitches moving upwards. On the 4th stitch, come out 4 vertical threads further left.
Make 3 stitches moving upwards. On the 4th stitch, come out 4 vertical threads further left.
Make 4 equal stitches. On the 5th stitch, start by inserting the sow 4 vertical threads further left than before
Repeat the same pattern, shortening the stitches by 4 vertical threads every 4 stitches.
Pass the sow vertically inside the stitches. Fix and cut thread. The first pedal is now complete!
To make the second pedal, start 3-4 vertical threads towards the right-hand side. Make sure you start from the same level as the first pedal. Follow the same procedure, mirroring steps 1-9.

Gazi (gauze)

This type of gazi is made by sewing consecutive squares. Each side of the squares is 4 linen threads long.

Make a first diagonal stitch to fix the thread. Then, make a horizontal stitch, starting 4 vertical threads towards the right and exiting at the same spot as the first stitch to make the upper side of the first square.
Stitch the remaining sides of the square: Count 4 horizontal or vertical threads at a time, first the right-hand side, then the left-hand side and, finally, the bottom side.
Repeat as many times as you please, to extend the sequence. Once finished, fix the thread and cut with scissors.

“It is really nice to learn something which is originally from Cyprus. You need to be focussed on the product, because it is not easy to do it”

Benigno B. Cruz, Jr.