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Hairpin Lace >
The Basic Strip
Although there are many ways to create a hairpin lace strip (also referred to
as braid), most hairpin
lace patterns call for the basic strip. Where projects usually differ is
in the methods used to join the strips (see Hairpin
Lace Tutorial Home Page for some joining techniques). The
basic strip is made on the loom by working single crochet stitches through the
front thread of the uppermost loop on the loom.
Creating the Basic Strip - Video: http://www.craftstylish.com/item/2131/stitchdiva-jen-hansen-demonstrates-hairpin-lace-crochet
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Set up the loom by setting the prongs to the width for
which the pattern calls. The width settings of hairpin lace looms vary
between
various manufacturers. (Check out the ultra-configurable
handmade walnut loom made by Jenkins
woodworking- it can be set up to 6" wide - great for showcasing the beauty
of modern yarns!). Before working, make sure to orient the loom so
that the frame side that can be slid off the most easily (for slipping off
the work) is held towards the bottom.
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Secure yarn with a slip knot to one prong of the hairpin
lace loom. Wrap yarn from front to back over opposite prong and bring yarn
to back of loom. The side of the loom to which you attach the loop is the
side that you will work with the crochet hook for the entire strip.
Most right-handers find it easier to attach the loop to the left-side prong,
while left-handers prefer the right. Golden Rule
#1: The side to which your starting loop was attached is
your "home prong". When working the strip, consistently work the upper
loop on the "home prong". |
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(At this point, you should either attach
guide lines to your
work, or mark the starting loop so that you will later be able to identify
the starting edge of your strip) Insert hook from bottom to top through
the front thread of the loop on the loom.
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Pull through a loop then ch 1. This completes the
first stitch of the strip: the first "setup" stitch of the strip
is different than all the rest of the stitches of the braid. |
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Prepare to turn the loom by twisting hook so that handle
side faces up and insert the handle end of the hook through the loom above
the work. Keep the loop on the hook. |
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Grab hook from opposite side of loom, still keeping the
loop on the hook.
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Flip the loom allow yarn to wrap around loom as you turn
(in the photo, side B has turned "towards the camera" and flipped positions with
side A). You should be holding the hook in the front with one hand and
keeping tension on the yarn in the back with the other. Golden Rule #2:
When working the strip, consistently flip the loom so that your "non-home
prong" flips toward your home prong, passing towards you while your home
prong passes behind. |
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Insert hook under thread of topmost loop on "home prong", pull through a
loop, then pull through another loop (single crochet).
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Flip loom. Continue doing sc in the uppermost loop
of the "home prong" then flipping the loom. Most projects will require that
you create a strip with more loops than can fit on the loom so you will need
to move loops off of the loom as you work.
When you feel you no longer have enough room to work comfortably, you will
need to remove most of the loops from the frame. Please see our discussion
about Managing Long Strips as You Work
to learn about working with longer hairpin lace loops. Tip:
Keep the work as low as possible on the loom in order to allow as much room
as possible to pass the crochet hook from front to back. Maintain
tension on the yarn with your non-hook hand to control placement of the
loops on the loom. |
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Continue working until desired strip length is attained. Tie off tip: To neaten up your last loops, insert your
hook from top to bottom through the back thread of the loop on the prong
opposite to the one just worked. Yarn over and pull loop through the
loop on the hook. Now tie off. <- Back
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