Lace Notes	R e s i z i n g   T h r e a d s
	Introduction	Thread Numbering	Other Points

Other General Points

Are you sure you should be doing this?

Although it is possible to change the size of any pattern, it is not always a good idea to do so. Remember that many traditional laces, e.g. Bucks Point, Tønder, Honiton, owe a great deal of their distinctive character to the fine threads used. If you enlarge these patterns and use thicker threads the lace isn’t really Bucks Point, Tønder or Honiton any more.

The ‘right’ thread for any pattern is partly a matter of personal preference — some people like a fairly solid lace while others prefer a more open structure and would use a finer thread for the same pricking. Everyone works differently, so it is always advisable to make a small sample to check whether the chosen thread is suitable.

Effect of Thread Type

Comparing thread numbers or windings can only provide guidance on suitable threads for a pattern as other properties also affect the way in which a thread performs. For example, two threads may have the same number (weigh the same per unit length), but if one is tightly spun it will be thinner and work up as if it had a higher number than the loosely spun one. Differences in elasticity will also affect how a thread behaves, and care is necessary when comparing, for example, an elastic one like wool with a non-elastic one like linen.

Working out Percentages

Some people take fright at the thought of working out percentages, but it is really quite easy. Here is a simple formula which applies both to inches or centimetres:

Example

You have a pattern which is 16 cm in length.
You want to reduce it to the new length of 12 cm.
Putting these values in the formula you obtain:

So you need to reduce your pattern to 75% of the original.

Mechanics of changing Sizes

Using a photocopier

The most obvious way to change the size of a pattern is using a photocopier. Most modern machines allow you to enter the percentage by which you wish to enlarge or reduce the original, although older ones may restrict you to a limited number of ‘presets’.

Some photocopiers may distort the pattern slightly, so you should check that the proportions are the same as in the original.

Using a scanner and graphics program

If you have a scanner you can scan the original pattern and then import it into a graphics program for resizing. Even if you don’t have a sophisticated program like Adobe Photoshop or Paintshop Pro, there will probably be a simple image manipulation program bundled with your scanner. Failing that you can use a program that came with your computer, like AppleWorks or Windows Paint.

Many programs allow you to resize a scan by a specific percentage, but in others (e.g. Windows Paint) you may have to specify a new size in inches or centimetres.

Printing Problems?

Printing out the Thread Numbering ‘page’ may cause it to split across a diagram. This is a general problem with long web ‘pages’ which, despite their name, have no relation to printed pages. Even if we tried to tweak a web page for one browser on one platform at one default page size (e.g. European A4) it would be different for another browser on another platform at another default page size (e.g. US Letter).

So, if you want to print the page we suggest that you view it first in ‘Print Preview’ if there is such an option in your browser (e.g. Internet Explorer 5/Mac) and then alter the size to prevent the graphic split. If you can't preview it you can only do this by trial and error. In Windows 95 the only way to tweak the page size seems to be changing the margins (File menu → Page Setup → Margins); in Windows 98 you can also change the magnification (File menu → Print → Properties button → Graphics tab → Scaling); and on the Mac you have always been able to change the magnification (File menu → Page Setup → Scaling, in OS6–9).

There is a particular problem with the table on the main page, which in our experience printed satisfactorily on an inkjet printer but failed to print on a laser printer. If you have similarly difficulty you might prefer to download our pdf version of the table, which does not have this problem. A pdf version of the whole article is also provided. These can be printed or read with the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.

PDF version of table

PDF version of whole article