Welcome to my themed blog series, Crochet Specialty of the Month! Each month in 2015, I’ll feature a specialized crochet technique, stitch pattern, or project type through several posts.
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I can’t remember when I first heard about hairpin lace, but my first official introduction to actually trying it was back in 2011-2012 when I was blogging my way through the book, Crochet Master Class: Lessons and Projects from Today’s Top Crocheters.
Hairpin lace seemed the most daunting of any from the book. I actually tried several tutorials unsuccessfully before finally learning how to make a hairpin lace strip. Once I actually “got it,” I realized that hairpin lace is actually deceptively simple. (Maybe I was overthinking it!)
So, what is hairpin lace anyway?
Hairpin lace is a crochet technique where you form loops with the aid of an object alternatively called a hairpin lace “loom” or “tool” by different manufacturers. Yarn is wrapped around the loom and then secured as a “strip” of loops with single crochet. Once the strip is the desired length, it is removed from the loom and can be joined to other strips or crocheted to the rest of your project.
Hairpin lace got its name because apparently, back in the day, U-shaped hairpins were used as the loom.
What’s special about hairpin lace?
To make hairpin lace, you only need to know single crochet and have access to a hairpin lace loom, but it creates very complex looking projects. (Basically, you will impress everyone with your hairpin lace!)
Hairpin lace also allows you to make very open work designs.
To see more examples of hairpin lace, check out my growing Hairpin Lace Crochet Pinterest board!
Follow Underground Crafter’s board Hairpin Lace Crochet on Pinterest.
Free Hairpin Lace Crochet Tutorials for Beginners Roundup
If you’d like to try out hairpin lace, here four free tutorials to get you started!
- I learned hairpin lace through the Hairpin Lace Coaster pattern and tutorial by Ferosa Harold. The pattern includes a photo tutorial for both righties and lefties. I like this tutorial because the project is small and easy to complete so you can quickly master the technique.
- My favorite hairpin lace loom is the Clover Hair Pin Lace Tool
. (Spoiler alert: I’ll be sharing a giveaway for this great device in a few weeks!). You can watch the Clover video tutorial for using their tool here.
- Jennifer Hansen is well known for her hairpin lace designs, and here is her video tutorial for making a basic hairpin lace strip.
- Red Heart Yarns has a hairpin lace video tutorial featuring the Susan Bates Hairpin Lace Loom
.
I hope you enjoyed this post! I’ll be back later this month to share more hairpin lace crochet fun, including 3 great giveaways!
Yes I tried hairpin lace a very long time ago . It has been so long that I don’t remember what I made or if I ever finished anything . I am looking at the videos and sites you suggested.
Thank you
Karol Beaufore
Thanks for sharing your hairpin lace story, Karol! I hope your next hairpin lace project is more memorable. 🙂