Broomstick Lace, Hairpin Lace and Tunisian Lace for Today

This course takes an in-depth look at 3 Heritage Lace techniques: Broomstick Lace, Hairpin Lace and Tunisian Crochet and Lace.

Each technique is given some historical background and a detailed look at the tools used, so students can make their own choice about which ones to purchase.

Students with basic crochet knowledge learn how to easily create Broomstick Lace and Broomstick Mesh with the use of knitting needles and how to design with and incorporate this technique into their own projects.

Students learn how to use different size hairpins to make Hairpin strips for one strip creations and how to combine several strips for larger designs.

Students learn how to master the basic Tunisian stitch, Tunisian half-double, and Tunisian cross.

In this workshop video I will give you some historical background about each technique, often handed down through generations - and folklore - here in the USA and in Europe. I have made serious attempts to research the origins of each technique and invite you to further explore any of the given information. These origins are not an exact science. They are gathered from a plethora of historical information floating about.
Each section is dedicated to a particular skill, with the emphasis on the basic rules required to master it. None of the techniques presented here are very difficult once you are comfortable with basic crochet skills and observe the golden rules of left hand tension (see below) and watch the numbers, which means counting stitches when needed. I still count after decades of playing with loops and stitches and you will eventually become very comfortable with precise work. This will enable you to practice pattern independency when creating your own designs.
To keep your practice work interesting and create encouragement to become your own designer, I will include suggestions on how to combine different techniques and which ones work well together so you can freely move from one technique to another once you master the basic concepts. I will also give you the design secrets that allow you to create your own heirloom treasures.

Time for practice, project ideas and design suggestions are included in each section.