Editing Bobbin lace (section)

===Bobbins===
Bobbins, which are traditionally made of wood or bone, are used to hold the thread. They come in different shapes, often associated with certain types of lace. The parts of a bobbin are the neck, which is where the thread is wound, a head, where thread is hitched to keep it from coming unwound, and the shank, which is used as a handle. Bobbins from England may also have a beaded spangle at the end of the shank, which makes the bobbin heavier and helps with tensioning the thread.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Beginner's guide to bobbin lace|first1=Gilian|last1=Dye|date=2007|publisher=Search|last2=Thunder|first2=Adrienne|isbn=9781844481088|location=Tunbridge Wells|pages=8–9|oclc=163617814}}</ref> Bobbins are usually 3 1/2 - 4 inches long, though they may be shorter or longer.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Pillow lace and bobbins|first=Jeffery|last=Hopewell|publisher=Shire Publications Ltd.|year=1984|isbn=0852636598|edition=Third|location=Aylesbury|page=15|oclc=12516276}}</ref> Bobbins are wound and used in pairs. Bobbin collection is a common aspect of the hobby for many lace makers. Within the lace community, commemorative bobbins designating annual meetings, special anniversaries, or historic events are frequently offered which become collector's items.

There are many types of bobbins, including:
* Belgian bobbins: They have a single head and a bulbous rounding near the end of the shank that helps with tensioning threads.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=Cassell illustrated dictionary of lacemaking|first=Alexandra|last=Stillwell|date=1996|publisher=Cassell|isbn=0304341452|location=London|oclc=34597563}}</ref>
* Binche bobbins: The round bulb near the end of the shank is small, making these bobbins good for fine, straight laces.
* East Midlands bobbins: These double-headed bobbins are slender and spangled. They are also called Bucks or Midlands bobbins.<ref name=":0" />
* Honiton bobbins: Honiton bobbins are straight below the single head, and the end of the shank comes to a blunt point, which helps with sewing. They may be called a lace stick.<ref name=":0" />
* Square bobbins: Square bobbins have a shank with flattened sides, which makes it easier to keep them from rolling on the pillow.
* Portuguese bobbins: The bobbin is an elongated pear-shaped wooden artefact where the thread is wrapped.
* Bone bobbins are sometimes decorated with names, commemorative text, or other messages and patterns
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<gallery>
Image:Dentelle-IMG_6795.jpg | Cat tails, whose points are convenient for sewing
File:Knipletrad.jpg | Danish bobbins
Image:The bobbin of the British type.jpg | [[bobbin|Spangled bobbins]]
Image:Frohnauer Hammer (15) 2006-11-04.jpg | Hooded bobbins
Image:Dentelles Cogne2.JPG | Large bulbs to throw every now and then, [[Cogne]]
Image:L-Spitzen2.png | winding schemes with a single hitch
File:French Lace Pillow with bobbin cartridges.jpg|French Lace Pillow with bobbin cartridges
Image:Bobbin MET DP7530.jpg|Bone Bobbin MET DP7530, inscribed with text 
Image:Bobbins (AM 9180).jpg|Bobbins (AM 9180), with various engraved decorations
</gallery>