It’s the final new technique I need to learn for the International Diploma in Crochet and it has taken some getting used to. Practising on the beach over the summer holidays was a good place to start!
I’d never tried hairpin crochet (or hairpin lace) before. Firstly I needed to get a loom (also referred to as a prong or fork). I managed to purchase one from a seller on good old eBay. Then it’s a matter of crocheting strips of crochet, using the loom, with the resulting loops being joined together to make all kinds of things…
Sounds easy (!)- well I think it is once you get the hang of holding the loom as you crochet around it. It really took a long time for me to feel comfortable holding the loom and being able to produce a straight central spine.
By wrapping the yarn around the ‘spokes’ of the loom as you go and crocheting stitches in the middle a central ‘crochet spine’ is produced. This can be varied depending on which crochet stitches are used. For my first samples I needed to crochet five strips of hairpin (any width but all the same length) and each strip should contain a different crochet spine in the centre…
Here they are- the green yarn running through the loops was threaded through the loops when they were still on the loom. I learned the hard way that by removing the strips without this, some of the loops got into quite a tangle! And using a contrasting colour for this is also recommended (again I learned the hard way!)
Here’s a close up of the different central spines…
So I waited for feedback on these samples before I went any further and amazingly they all got great marks which gave me a little confidence boost- up until that point I really wasn’t sure if I was doing it right!
The next samples needed to be four hairpin strips with the same stitch spine, connected using three different types of joining. So I started the strips…
…then joined them using a faggot join (on the right), a slip stitch join (in the middle) and a linking join (on the left). Now this Hairpin crochet was starting to make more sense!
I have one more hairpin sample to do which is to make a hairpin strip with an off centre spine and make it into a fringe. That’s one for this weekend…
I was lucky to visit the ‘Handmade Fair’ yesterday at Hampton Court Palace. I had a great day and will share some highlights with you next week. 🙂
As always, thanks so much for reading. Has anyone else tried hairpin crochet?
I love the hairpin! Using it for one of my projects!
Wow Steph- would love to see how you use it in your project. I’m enjoying hairpin more now that I have the hang of it! 🙂
I love hairpin! I get the feeling that you preferred broomstick to hairpin…? For me, I found broomstick more tricky to do than hairpin..
I’m getting used to it now so am starting to enjoy it more! I suppose they are my last few samples for Part 1 and I just want to get them done now! 🙂
I am so impressed, it looks very pretty and mega complicated!
Thanks so much Cathy. It’s really not that complicated, just a bit fiddly! 🙂
This is a the final technique that I need to learn in order to complete an Advanced Crochet Honor for our youth group. The projects are lovely, and I even have yarn and fork, but haven’t taken time to work through it yet. Your work is very encouraging!
Hi there, that’s so great to hear! I’m glad you feel encouraged. Go for it, it’s easier than it looks! Good Luck 🙂 🙂
Yikes! I’m pretty sure I’d end up in a right mess doing this. Your work is beautiful as always.
Thanks so much Alida. I’m sure you’d do just fine! 🙂 🙂
I’ve never done this type of crochet. I’m very curious though. It’s very lovely.
It was a first for me too Yolanda but I’m so glad I gave it a go. I’m beginning to really like it! 🙂
I haven’t tried it either, but your examples are beautiful. I may have to pick up a loom!
Thanks so much! Yes, get a loom and give it a go! 🙂 🙂
I love your final sample. To be honest the first sample doesn’t seem to have much use but when you see then joined they look really effective. What type of things can you make with hairpin crochet?
Hi Sharon, Glad you like it! Yes, it makes such a difference when the pieces come together. You can make all kinds of things with Hairpin- I’ve seen shawls, cardigans, tops, blankets, so much 🙂 🙂