Hair pin lace requires a loom which can be purchased from Amazon . I bought this one and found it to be sturdy and easily adjustable.
It took me a while to get use to it as it's difficult to manipulate the loom and the hook initially. I started with some DK and also tried some chunky yarn. The affect was OK but I have to say I was struggling to think of what I would use it for. I found 4ply and smooth yarn gave a much more pleasing affect.
For the samples each spine had to be different. I liked playing around with this as you just use a range of normal crochet stitches in front or back loops, or even under them. My next task will be to make more samples and then join them together however I'm not doing that until they have been marked and I know that I'm on the right lines.
A merino sock yarn gave lovely stitch definition. I really liked how each loop was a different colour.
This DK bamboo worked up nicely. The sample reminds me of a centipede as it looks like its crawling across the page.
It's important to remember to thread yarn into the loops that when you remove your work from the loom. This is easier when the lace is still on the loom. Without the yarn things tend to get a little messy!
So onto the resubmits.
One of my filet samples needed to be resubmitted because I'd made a mess of the blocking. I'd tried to get it square but to no avail and in the process stretched it. I sent it anyway because I needed feedback on how to improve.... No blocking was recommened! So I've tried it again. This time I took inspiration from Coastal Crochet's filet sample. Eleonora had used a boat design for her bars and
lacets sample. I used a similar boat deign and added a flag. I used a thicker cotton thread this time and a 3mm hook. It was easier to work and I felt that and the colour gave it a more modern feel. Fingers crossed it does better this time. I worked more rows to ensure it was square. Hopefully that will be OK.
My shaping piece also had issues. It was the wrong shape!!! LOL. Well the wrong proportions. So I've had another go at that too...god I didn't realise how long some of this would take me... 3 attempts later I think it's ok. I used Stylecraft DK and a 4.5mm hook. I still get quite a stiff fabric so will have to try an even larger hook next time. The sample could do with a block but after my last attempt I'm staying well away from the blocking boards. The crab stitch around the edge gives it a clean finish and it's super stretch so no need to do 3 stitches in the corner.
Seem to have got a teal thing going on at the moment!
So that's all workwise but I have been having fun too.
I finished my dad's Christmas present! I only started it 2 weeks before Christmas. (Never let me do that again.) A single sized blanket in just under 2 weeks equals too much stress. However he loves it and already is showing it off to neighbours.
Look how happy he is. :)
It's the Attic 24 Coastal Ripple using the original colours. Packs can be found at Wool Warehouse.
I've also been trying to use up my stash. I had some stunning DK Dovestone from Baa Ram Ewe in Leeds. 200g in Rhubarb and 200g in Lotherton. It's a Wensleydale, Bluefaced Leicester, Marsham mix and it's totally gorgeous. It crochet's up like a cloud and is not splitty or scratchy. What's more it's 100% British and spun in Yorkshire! Ee Bah Gum it's blooming lovely. So I finally found a pattern and now just can't stop making them. It's the Selkie Cowl from The Crochet Project. and it looks even better than in the pattern. Well I think so, and that's what counts right?
Oh it's so soft and snuggly just perfect for these cold wintery days. It's a very easy pattern to remember and I think that even a beginner could easily master it. The hardest part is getting the initial 200 chain not to twist, although I did find a YouTube clip that helped. Have a go yourself and let me know what you think.
I'm off to Oman for a week now to see my lovely friend Carlotte. Just got to go and pack my WIP.... bye!
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