Lenka's Way of LaceMore Old Wise Trees
October 30, 2026
The Old Wise Tree Gallery received two new artworks, and both are from the Netherlands.
A representative of the National Organization of Lace Art in the Netherlands ( LOKK ) contacted me last year regarding the free Old Wise Tree pattern. Like many lace associations in European countries, LOKK promotes interest in lace and bobbin lacemaking through activities such as organizing courses, workshops, lectures, and exhibitions. The national association supports regional groups—known as ‘lace circles’- where lacemakers meet regularly to discuss lace, work on their craft together, and learn from one another. The LOKK facilitates an annual event for the lace circles’ leaders and that way all lacemakers are connected and informed. In Canada, we don’t have a national lace organization, and with a few lacemakers scattered across our huge country, we mostly rely on internet to communicate and keep in touch. Sometimes our humble lace output reaches across the world, and that is quite special. I was pleased when the Old Wise Tree online project was chosen for the LOKK lace circles’ leaders meeting, making it possible for the simple pattern from Canada to reach many lacemakers in the Netherlands, a country with a long and illustrious lacemaking tradition. I am delighted that some lace artist decided to send photos of their lace works for the Old Wise Tree online gallery.
Joining Ephrem Muskee, whose contribution arrived in March, are Sonja Bierenbroodspot of Grootebroek, and Brigitte Kittinger of Waarland. Their original interpretation of the pattern brought out more design possibilities and filled the lace with distinct character and beauty.
Sonja’s bucolic tree is well rooted and established to grow and grace the countryside. The brown and beige coloured threads give interest to the torchon grown and depth to the branches, trunk and roots. An unexpected choice of blue colour for the fan worker creates an illusion of a deepening sky meeting the crown at the sunset. On the overall photo, the tree mounted on a natural linen background looks so content and in perfect harmony with its surroundings, as it enlivens and softens the wood and brick walls. This is and Old Wise Tree that belongs, and it thrives where it is planted. Sonja mentioned that she might make another one in the future and I hope that it will be as beautiful as this one.
Brigitte calls her artwork the “Cherry Tree”, and it is easy to see why. The choice of colours evokes a summer morning’s light that reveals lushness, vivacity and joy. If you look closer you will see that Brigitte worked the Torchon ground without gathering the thread lengths in the centre. Instead, she attached new pairs afterwards to each footside loop of the finished lace. Working this way is possible, and in this case, due to subtle colour shading, creates a slight boundary between the crown and branches, almost like a ring of light. This halo expands outwards, blossoms and ripens into an abundance of sweet cherries. What a blessed tree. Garden-fresh and sweet, it will stay young and luscious forever!
Thank you, Sonja and Brigitte for sharing your original lace artworks, they fit perfectly with others in the Old Wise Tree Gallery. The collection of now forty four works is truly unique, very colourful and quite eclectic!
And if our trees look a bit too wild, with their exaggerated gnarly trunks, strong-willed branches and exuberant foliage colours, for reference I am attaching a few photos that I made this week in a local Redwood Park (yes, we have one in Surrey, BC, too, which claims to be the largest grove of Sierra redwoods/giant sequoias north of California!). There are many trees in the park and as long as I noticed, there are no prescribed guidelines and no limits to their organic growth.
Nature is free to create and so are we.
The photo of the Prayer of the Woods, installed in the same park, is an added bonus for all tree lovers, and I think, an apt conclusion of this post.
Happy lacemaking and tree revering to all!
Lenka
Please find the new trees in a company of others in the Old Wise Tree Gallery
The online gallery is always open and welcomes all visitors!
The Free Old Wise Tree Pattern, with a full tutorial, was published on this website on January 16th, 2021. As of October 30th, 2026
- the Old Wise Tree page has been viewed 18,851 times
- 4,339 visitors downloaded the pricking
- 44 artworks from 9 countries have been submitted to the Old Wise Tree Gallery.
Everybody is welcome to use the free pattern and create an original interpretation of the theme!
If you do, please consider sharing your creation with us :
Send a photo (or more) of your tree with following information to this email address:
Your Name + City / Country + Materials used + Pricking size (if different than the original 100%)
+ Optional: Notes – any comment or specific information you wish to add
