Some of you may have noticed the white lace under the bombonieri that I had on my blog yesterday.
Those are called merletti or, in dialect, puzzuell’, not to be mistaken with pizzelle which are yummy waffle cookies. Of course, spelling anything in dialect is just about impossible, but you get the idea. At first I was never sure what O’s mom was making, cookies or lace. But, now I hear the difference.
Anyway, it’s a common sight around here to see the older women sitting in the sun (in the summer) or next to the fire (in the winter), crocheting away with tiny hooks to make various pieces of merletti. And, in most houses, any piece of furniture you see probably has a covering made of this on top of it. Many times, they’ll also purchase a nice piece of embroidered material and add their own lace edge around it.
I, of course, don’t have the patience or time to make these things, but O’s mom keeps me in good supply. First of all, she made him a whole set of things for the house a long time ago. She even made an entire coverlet for a king sized bed out of the stuff. Now that’s patience!
Of course, with baby on the way, you can be sure that she’s made a “copertina” for him too.
There are numerous patterns, many times they’ve made them up themselves, and often what one lady knows, another doesn’t.
The other day, I decided to wash all of them and hung them out to dry on the line in the sun. A few hours later the doorbell rings and it’s O’s mom. It seems one of the other ladies saw a pattern she liked and asked her how to make it. So, she had to come and see which pattern it was so that she could make a sample for the other lady. Of course, none of these patterns are written down either – it’s all in their head. O’s mom is amazing, she can see a pattern that someone else has made and copy it with no problem. I would need to have it written down or else I’d never be able to decipher it.
Here are some of the patterns. To be honest, I don’t know which one I like best…. Which one is your favorite?
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I don’t know what they’re called here, but I have a whole bunch from Italian ladies in America
I don’t see them making these much around here, but I’ll have to ask around b/c I’d love to learn; this is one thing my grandmother didn’t teach me.
So how random that I saw your Mickey bombonieri this morning in a store window! I would’ve taken a photo if I had had my camera
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Oh, forgot to add, I could never pick a favorite either; they’re all so cute!
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What a coincidence, seeing Mickey! Now you know where to get one if you need one.
The merletti are beautiful, but I know I don’t have the patience to do it. If you have someone to teach you, go for it! If you come up to visit, I’ll have my suocera show you.
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They are all so pretty. It’s so true that you see these all over an Italian house! I just noticed you are in your 2 week home stretch. It’s so exciting. I hope you are feeling well
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There all so pretty. I really like the first one.
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All lovely. I have a huge crocheted tablecloth that I use for a bedskirt that covers just the boxspring, leaving the bed high and open underneath. It’s been doing that job for about 35 years!
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They are all gorgeous, I would love a bed cover made of the more closed type. I bet it would cost a fortune! I can imagine some of the ‘life style’ shops in London importing this sort of thing. Lucky you. Ciao Amanda
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Yes, they are all beautiful, but I can’t bear to use them. I like the idea of the bedskirt though Judith.
Amanda, they cost a fortune to make too, especially the bed-sized ones. Just the thread alone costs money, then if you factor in the work-time….. well, you get the idea.
Maryann, I’m doing fine, still hanging in there. Thanks!
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