Bobbin Lace + Hairpin Lace Crochet

Dear users, dear authors,
how does bobbin lace + hairpin lace crochet work?
Would you like to tell us something about it? Is there a connection between these two techniques?

Hi everyone,

I discovered my passion for hairpin lace during the first lockdown. I don’t even remember exactly how I got into it. Anyway, I ordered a hairpin lace loom online, and it took at least three weeks for my order to arrive. I was getting pretty impatient and couldn’t wait for the package to arrive. Well, since I’m a resourceful woman, I just made myself a makeshift version out of thick cardboard and two thicker knitting needles. It worked wonderfully. Still, I was over the moon when the delivery person finally rang the doorbell.

Hairpin lace is an old handicraft technique, and I have no idea why it’s so rarely practiced—at least in German-speaking countries. With this technique—also known as loop crochet or, in English, hairpin lace—you can create beautiful, unique lace pieces that you simply can’t make any other way. You can also create sturdier fabrics with cables.

Curious about how it works? First, you’ll need a hairpin lace loom. It consists of two prongs connected by two bars at the top and bottom. The width is usually adjustable. In principle, you can also bend a straight knitting needle into a U shape. A chain stitch is attached to the right prong, and the chain stitch is stretched out to the center of the hairpin lace loom. The hairpin lace loom is turned from right to left toward you. Insert the crochet hook through the loop, which is now on the left, pull the yarn through, and pull it through the loop. Crochet a single crochet. Turn the hairpin lace loom and pass the crochet hook through it. This creates a new loop, which is again worked with a single crochet. Continue this process until you have a long strip of loops. You can determine the size of your crochet project based on the number of loops. Crochet one strip of loops after another. By varying the number of strips, you can adjust the width (or length) of your crochet project. The individual strips are joined together. You can crochet the strips together or knit them together. There are so many possibilities.
Another approach is to create small circles or squares, similar to granny squares, which are then joined together.
What can you make with this technique? Here, too, there are virtually no limits to your imagination and creativity. Whether sweaters, scarves, shawls, bags, or decorative items like pillows or blankets… You’re also free to choose any material you like. Cotton is perfect for summer. You can create wonderful crocheted tops or blouses this way.
In my store Blickfang-Design, there are already a few patterns available. More will be added. I’m currently writing a pattern for a small bag and am working on a backpack. You can look forward to what’s coming next...
Maybe I’ve whetted one or two appetites to give this technique a try? Or perhaps another designer would like to create something using this technique as well?

Bobbin lace and hairpin lace have only one thing in common: both techniques are used to create beautiful lacework. I learned bobbin lace during my school days, and I really enjoyed it. I still remember exactly how it’s done. However, I eventually turned my attention to knitting and crocheting instead. Maybe it’s something I’ll try again later in retirement.

Nice post :-)