All you need is a

SUSAN BATES®

or

MARCIA LYNN®

Hairpin Lace Loom

and

Crochet Hook

® REG. TRADE MARK

Tricks of the trade:

BASIC DIRECTIONS

Step 1: Remove cross bar from bottom of hairpin lace loom. Loom is held with round end up (or remaining bar up if adjustable loom). Form a slip loop ½ the width of loom, place left prong through loop (illustration #1), replace cross bar.

Step 2: Pass yarn around right side of loom and across back ([illustration #2]), insert crochet hook in loop and pull until knot is at center, pick up yarn and pull through loop (illustration #3), remove hook from loop.

Step 3: Insert hook in dropped loop from back (illustration #4) turn loom toward you from right to left, passing yarn around back of loom, chain 1 (illustration #5) sc in front loop to left of center sts, (illustration #6) drop loop from hook.

(Note: If easier for you, do not drop hook from loop before turning, but pass shank of crochet hook through to back of loom and then turn and proceed as in step 3 after turn.)

KEEPING TWIST: To keep twist in loops, insert crochet hook from back to front in loops, then follow directions given.

WORKING LOOPS STRAIGHT: Insert crochet hook from front to back in loops, then follow directions given.

PREVENTING SLANT:

When joining strips they sometimes have a tendency to ride uphill or to one side. We therefore suggest the following method of joining. Alternating from strip to strip, with starting end always on the right, insert hook in 2 right loops of 1st strip and pull through 1st 2 left loops of 2nd strip, then 2 loops on 1st strip, etc. until all loops are joined. Fasten off.

Insert crochet hook in 2 left loops of 3rd strip, pull 2 right loops of 2nd strip through, etc.

Insert hook in 2 right loops of 3rd strip, pull through 2 left loops of 4th strip, then 2 loops of 3rd strip, etc.

Insert hook in 2 left loops of 5th strip, pull through 2 right loops of 4th strip, then 2 loops of 5th strip. Finish all last loops by pulling remaining length at center of strip through last loop, bring end back to center and work back through several sts at center. Conceal all ends.

COUNTING LOOPS: There must always be same number of loops on EACH side of loom. When a large number of loops are required use a SUSAN BATES® marker to mark the 50th or the 100th loop on each side, then count from marker. This will be a time saver.

FULL LOOM: Remove cross bar, slip all but 3 or 4 loops off loom. Replace bar and roll loops up; secure with SUSAN BATES® 4½ inch stitch holder to back of work to prevent stretching of loops while continuing strip.

GAUGE: Measure the stitches at center of loom; if you get more stitches than called for, change to a larger crochet hook; if you get less stitches than called for, change to a smaller hook.