Filet Lace in Needlepoint

This needed to be finished before I continue work on my TIF pieces, and before it falls into the UFO box instead of just being a WISP (work in slow progress). A simple thing - and stitched in perle cotton both for economy and for quick cleaning, as it is for a child - my little grand daughter Sophie. (and for portability on the airplane, as I can still see 13 mesh canvas without a magnifier) The idea of the lace edging actually dates back to my work in the 70's, when I was trying to produce "special effects" to add interest to my painted canvases - and also for simple things, such as monograms, quotes, names, quilt patterns, etc. Crocheted lace is such a mathematical thing in its construction that it is fascinating for me to work with on needlepoint canvas. I especially have loved the filet lace, as it reminds me so of a little pillow case edging my great grandmother made when I was a baby - with a row of ducks on it. I like to just make the "grid" of tent stitches, and then fill in the design portion with smyrna crosses, as the little "bumps" stand out. The background color in the lace is filled in with just plain mosaic stitch. This is the only thing I ever use graph paper for in my needlepoint designing - it's so easy to just pencil in a pattern into the little squares - Try it!!! Incidentally, being a bit lazy, and stitching for relaxation and pleasure, I draw the pattern onto canvas with my permanent Pilot pen so that I won't have to count from a chart while stitching. In the past, I have made my needlepoint lace white or ecru, as this is traditional in the Irish lace I love to replicate - but now that I have fallen under the influence of the art crazy quilters, I am LOVING doing colored lace - even with overdyed threads and/or metallics. Great fun and great effects!