Crochet lace used to be seen as just for grandma’s doily patterns, but now thanks to the popularity of knitting and crocheting, crochet lace is in again!
Today we are going to look at the ways to crochet modern lace patterns that you will want to make, give and wear. We’ll also talk about Irish crochet and why that type of lace is also a popular crocheted lace.
Finally, we’ll take a look at lace pattern and lace trim ideas that will help you see beyond doilies and look at lace in a whole new way, give you some inspiration, and show you that even beginners can work crochet lace stitch patterns!
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What is Crochet Lace?
Crochet lace is a crochet stitch pattern that uses chains along with double and treble crochet stitches to create beautiful openwork designs. This type of crochet works up more quickly than closed crochet stitches and because you have so much open space your yarn will go farther.
Many people think that crochet lace is only for the most experienced crocheters, and while that may be true for the most delicate weight yarn and crochet thread patterns, you can crochet lace even if you only have knowledge of the most basic stitches.
When used with DK or worsted weight yarns, you will find that you can still crochet lace and have a beautiful drape with your openwork lace patterns. This is perfect for crochet shawls and you can even crochet a gorgeous scarf, cowl or garment such as a dress, sweater or skirt with crochet lace patterns. The lacy edgings are also perfect for blankets!
Common Stitches Used in Crochet Lace
You will use most of the basic crochet stitches when you crochet lace, including:
Chain Stitch (ch) – the most basic of all and essential in lace to create openwork patterns
Slip Stitch (sl st) – the fundamental stitch, mostly used in lace to join chains or rounds
Single Crochet Stitch (sc) – the shortest stitch (besides sl st)
Half Double Crochet Stitch (hdc) – height is in between single and double crochet
Double Crochet Stitch (dc) – a very common stitch used in crochet lace
Treble Crochet Stitch (tr) – crochet lace is where you will see this stitch used most often as it is the tallest of the basic stitches (although there are taller ones out there!)
Supplies Needed to Crochet Lace
The best news is – you don’t need any special supplies to crochet lace! But let’s take a few moments to go over the most common items used when crocheting lace.
Yarn
For the traditional lace designs (like doilies and veils), you would need very, very find crochet thread, or lace weight yarn. But you can really create lace with most weights of yarn, although anything heavier than worsted weight yarn starts to really have open holes that are often too big.
You might want to stick with the lighter weight yarns such as fingering weight yarn, DK weight yarn or even a worsted/aran weight. Cotton yarn is a very popular choice as it is what crochet thread is made of, although fine linen thread was originally used in a lot of designs.
Crochet Hook
The crochet hook you use for your lace will depend upon what yarn or thread you are using. For example, if you choose a size 10 crochet thread you will need to use a steel crochet hook, which are quite small.
For other yarns, check the recommended size on the ball band to give you an idea of where to start with a hook. Then, you may need to adjust hook size based on how the lace pattern is turning out.
If you are following a crochet pattern, be sure to check for the hook size on the pattern.
Yarn Needle (Tapestry Needle)
For weaving in ends you will need a yarn needle, also called a tapestry needle. This is a larger, blunt-tipped needle specially made for weaving in ends of yarn and seaming.
I really prefer the metal yarn needles, but there are also very inexpensive plastic ones you can buy (around here they are less than $1). You also have several sizes to choose from so you can match the needle to the size yarn you are using.
Types of Crochet Lace
Broomstick Lace
Broomstick lace uses a crochet hook to pull up long loops onto a dowel. Orginally this was actually on a broomstick, which is where it gets its name. Can you imagine using a broomstick to work on your crochet project??
After you get your loops on the dowel you loop them into clusters with single crochet stitches. It’s a very interesting, unique lacework pattern that takes a bit of practice to get right, but is totally worth the effort.
You can buy special broomstick lace tools or use a large crochet hook or knitting needle in place of a dowel.
How to Crochet Broomstick Lace
Create a starting chain in the number you want for your loops, plus one extra for a turning chain. Work a row of single crochet into the starting chain. Do not turn, as this pattern is worked from left to right.
Insert your crochet hook into the first sc on the left side of the row, yarn over and pull up a loop, making it as tall as your dowel. Slip the loop over the dowel to hold its shape. Keep inserting your hook into each stitch from left to right, pulling up a tall loop each time and placing it on the dowel until you reach the end of your row.
Now you are going to cluster the loops. Carefully slide the number of loops you want to cluster off of the dowel and insert your hook into these loops, yarn over and pull through the loops, ch 1. Single crochet as many sts into the loops as you have loops. Continue sliding loops off the dowel and single crocheting into them to the end, omitting the turning chain on the subsequent loops.
Repeat the process of pulling up loops into the sc stitches and then working across the loops with sc.
Find detailed step by step instructions for broomstick lace here.
Irish Lace
Irish crochet lace is a beautiful technique that is freeform crochet. It uses basic crochet stitches that are often worked over cord. This adds texture and dimension to the lace, but it isn’t always used.
It was created to resemble expensive lace patterns and can be seen in tablecloths, wedding dresses and cuffs dating back farther than the Irish potato famine.
Irish lace is worked as separate motifs and joined together, so it’s not as intimidating as it looks.
How to Crochet Irish Lace
First, you will need to make different Irish crochet motifs, usually flowers or paisley designs. Then, lay them out in a pattern that is pleasing to you, pinning them down to a surface.
Next, connect the motifs with crocheted lace netting, using chain stitches to bridge the space between motifs. This is really freeform, so just do what looks good to you!
For more detailed step by step instructions, click here.
Hairpin Lace
Hairpin lace uses a special loom tool to create its unique appearance. This tool looks like a long rectangle and is two long vertical dowels held a certain distance apart. It is usually around 12″ long and can be adjusted to different widths to create different size lace patterns. It was originally done with actual hairpins!
How to Crochet Hairpin Lace
Basically you are wrapping your yarn around the loom and working with your crochet hook in the center of the loom. Hairpin lace is worked in strips and these are then joined to make larger projects.
This is a more complicated lace pattern and requires detailed instructions on how to work with the loom, because there are times you have to remove your hook and turn the loom, so if you’d like more information about how to crochet hairpin lace, click here.
Pineapple Lace
This is also simply called the pineapple stitch, or just “pineapples”, so you may have heard this term before. It’s a vintage technique used to create crochet lace patterns. There are many variations on the pineapple stitch.
How to Crochet Pineapple Lace
You can crochet a single pineapple motif, or connect them to work a series of pineapple stitches. Typically this pattern was seen in doilies working from the center out. It was a sign of hospitality.
To learn more about Pineapple Lace, click here.
Easy Crochet Lace Stitches to Swatch
Ready for some beginner-friendly lace patterns? While these don’t fall under any of the “official” styles of crochet lace, all of these crochet stitch patterns have that openwork, lacy feel and are perfect for those newer to crochet.
Offset V-Stitch
Common Questions about Crocheted Lace
Absolutely! Crochet lace is something that even beginners can make. As long as you can work the basic crochet stitches, especially double and treble crochet, you can make crochet lace. If you want the traditional fine mesh lace you will need to work with fine thread and very small crochet hooks.
There are many different methods of crocheting lace including broomstick lace, hairpin lace, Irish lace and Pineapple Lace. Outside of these methods there are many lacy stitch patterns that will allow you to crochet lacy garments, shawls, and more.
Some of the names of crocheted lace include filet crochet, Irish crochet, pineapple crochet and more. Freeform crocheted lace also exists, and many people think that all crochet lace is tatting, although that is a bit different from crochet lace.
You can actually both knit and crochet lace! Knitted lace uses the yarn over to create the openwork holes in the fabric, which includes either k2tog or ssk to keep the stitch count even. Crochet lace uses chain stitches and tall stitches like dc and tr to create the openwork pattern.
Free Crochet Lace Patterns
Easy Crochet Shawl
This crochet lace pattern uses classic granny stitches combined with filet crochet at the outer border for a shawl pattern that is beginner-friendly and works up quickly!
Click here for the free pattern!
Maple Forest Wrap
This lace fabric is created with a repeating motif of chains and double crochets. It’s an easy level pattern that can be made as large or as small as you want.
Click here for the free crochet pattern!
Lace Borders and Edgings
These free patterns from Love.Life.Yarn all include video tutorials so you can work these beautiful lacy borders with ease!
The Duchess Baby Blanket uses the duchess lace stitch for the body of the blanket, and then a shell stitch border edged with chains and single crochets is added. The video walks you through every step.
This pattern for the Easy Ombre Baby Blanket uses a V-Stitch pattern to work up the body of the blanket, and then a simple lace edging is added. The yarn does all the color work for you so it’s easy peasy – and the video provides a full walk-through.
The Classic Crochet Baby Blanket uses a closed crochet stitch for the body with a more open, lacy border. This pattern also includes a full video walkthrough and is very beginner-friendly.
Whew!! We covered a LOT today in our look at crochet lace! I hope you’ve enjoyed this tutorial and have found some inspiration to go out and work your own crochet lace! I know I have! 😀
Happy Crocheting!
Amanda
How to Crochet Lace for Beginners
Here are the basics for crocheting lace - and no, it's not as hard as it looks. Any skill level can crochet lace! Here is a practice swatch for a beginner, which is the same stitch used for the Easy Ombre Baby Blanket.
Materials
- Yarn of choice, I'm using worsted weight yarn (blanket is made with Super Saver Ombre yarn)
Tools
- Hook of coice. For my blanket I used a size I/9 (5.5mm)
Instructions
Basic Beginner Lace Swatch
- Ch 35.
- Work Row 1 - Dc in 5th ch from hook, [ch 1, dc] in same ch, *sk 2 ch, [1 dc, ch 1, 1 dc] in nextch. Repeat from * to last 2 ch, sk 1 ch, dc in last ch; turn.
- Work Row 2 - Ch 3, sk first dc, *[1 dc, ch 1, 1 dc] in next ch-1 sp. Repeat from * to last dc, dc in topof turning ch; turn.
- Repeat row 2 until desired length.
Notes
The only stitches you need to know for this V-stitch swatch are chain and double crochet.