Hair Pin Lace 5 - Joining Techniques

I keep telling you that Hairpin Lace is very versatile. I have already demonstrated various techniques; created fringes, edgings and added beads. But this month I hope to really prove it to you by turning corners!

We will also look at the different ways we can use the braid, edge and join the strips to form a fabric.

First, I suppose, we must decide how we are using the braid.

It can be used exactly like Lace, as an edging, insert or appliqué.

It can be sewn, or slip-stitch crocheted onto fabric, crochet or knitting.

You can even use it straight off the Hairpin frame.

Alternatively it can be edged with any type of crochet stitch.

Let's begin with a simple Dc (Sc-US) edging. 

We have to decide whether to separate the loops by the addition of chain stitches...

...and whether to keep the loops straight or twist them.

We can even gather together the loops, or not...

twist them or not...

and both sides don't even have to be the same!

As promised, we can turn corners...

...or create Waves

 ... and Chevrons!

In this example I have gathered the loops with a Dc and placed a Treble (Dc-US) into the spine between the groups.

From this point we can add more rows of crochet for a more complex braid.

Using all these various techniques we can join the lace strips to create a fabric.

Woven Join.

Lay two strips of Lace side by side and alternatively interlace the loops. At the end of the row sew the final pair to secure in place.

It's possible to interlace a multiple number of loops, the more loops you weave together the longer they will need to be. This type of join can be quite bulky.

Slip-stitch Join.

Hold two lengths of lace back to back. Place the hook through a pair of loops, one from the top and one from the bottom strip simultaneously,and join with a slip-stitch. Work to the end of the strips in this manner.

Zigzag Join.

Lay two strips of lace parallel. *Place the hook through two loops (either twisted or straight) on the lower strip, make a Dc (Sc-US). Chain two and place the hook between two loops on the upper strip and make a Dc, Chain2. Repeat from* to end of lace.

Double Zigzag Join.

This join is made in two stages.

On the first braid, place the hook through two loops (either twisted or straight), Dc, Chain5. Repeat along the strip. (Shown here in purple)

On the second braid, place the hook through two loops and Dc as before, Chain2, slip-stitch into centre chain of the first edging, Chain2. Repeat along the strip. (Shown here in teal)

Pre-edged Join.

Add more interest by edging the strips before joining them.

Because of the endless possibilities I have kept the 'how to' to a minimum. Instead I recommend you experiment to your hearts content. I shall leave it to you to imagine all the additional levels of complexity that are possible.

I have one more topic still to cover before we wind up this Hairpin Lace series, so I hope you will join me again next month.

fastening off...