Hairpin Lace
long looped strips made on a two-prong loom, then joined into airy lace panels
Hairpin lace is made not in the fabric but on a hairpin loom, a simple frame of two parallel prongs, and later assembled into a garment. Working around the two prongs, you crochet a spine of stitches up the centre while long loops build out to each side, producing a long strip that looks like a feathery caterpillar with a stitched middle and open loops along both edges. Several of these strips are then joined loop-to-loop, or edged with crochet, to make wide, extremely light and drapey lace panels. It is a distinct vintage technique that pairs basic crochet with the loom, so it is approachable once you have the frame, and it produces a lot of airy fabric quickly. It shines in shawls, scarves, wraps, and decorative edgings where drape and openness matter. Because it is mostly loops, it uses very little yarn for its coverage and blocks out beautifully. Keep the loom turning evenly and the spine stitches consistent so the loops on each side stay the same length.