filet lace

Refers to lace made on a foundation of fine, knotted netting of either square or diamond mesh; the netting is stretched on a frame and embroidered; the art is of ancient origin. A common way of making the net entails passing a thread, which is wound on an elongated shuttle, over a mesh stick or gauge that governs the size of the mesh, and into a previously created square or diamond; a knot similar to a fisherman's knot is tied holds the thread in place. The embroidery applied on the net may employ a variety of stitches, often including a darning stitch and fillings. The term derives from the French "filet," meaning "network."