Crocheting Lace Is Incredibly Fun
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It Is All About the Gauge
Actually, I prefer the British/UK term: tension. It makes much more sense than gauge. When you say gauge, it sounds like you are talking about a gun. Sorry, I have this thing for words. Anyway, tension is so important to making great lace. Trust me, I completed this whole project and had to unravel it all and do it over again. Sigh. It was worth it though. It looks so much better now. This was done with size 10 cotton thread and a 1.90 mm steel hook.
A New Experience
I've never used such small thread before. I know there are even smaller threads...the size 20 and 30. You've got to be insane to use size 30 thread. I can't even imagine it. To maintain the tension, I found that it helped to wind the thread around my index finger three times instead of my usual one. Those extra two loops around my finger really helped keep everything nice and tight. I also noticed that by keeping the loops down low, close to the hook helped keep the tension tight too.
My one complaint about making lace filet crochet is the darn hook. It is so skinny and since I tried to keep everything tight, I had indents in my thumb and index finger, as well as a groove carved out of my palm near my pinky from the end of the hook. They need to make some ergonomic tiny crochet hooks. I don't know who "they" are, but "they" gotta get on it.So, Why Is It So Fun?
I find crocheting to be relaxing to begin with. I like the feel of the yarn as a single string in one hand, and the thickness of the stiches in the other. I find it to be satisfying. Crocheting lace is just like that, but about a million times over.
I think it has to do with the tiny size of the thread and hook. You have to concentrate intently, making sure the tension is right, making sure you don't miss a stitch, making sure you don't drop a loop or lose the thread completely...there is no room in your brain for anything else. All of your focus is narrowed to one point: where the hook meets the thread. I like to think of it as a kind of meditation. Instead of focusing on a candle or a mantra, you concentrate on the thread and hook. It really is awesome.
Try it sometime. Start off with something easy to get the hang of the tension. Then, lose yourself in a doily. I guarantee you will love it.
A Different Kind of Lace...Broomstick Lace.
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Tatting also produces lovely designs. The neat thing about crocheting is that it never gets boring because each line or round uses different stitches.
This is so lovely. It seems when I was growing up all women knew how to do this and I used to love seeing my mother do it. I love to crochet - it's been awhile but maybe one day I'll be brave enough to try this filet style.
Thanks for this hub!
Athlyn Green Level 4 Commenter 4 years ago
Hi,
I couldn't agree more. Filet crochet is about the closest you can come to making lace. It's even prettier when you thread beads on your cotton and then crochet them in, on the back side, to adorn the front side of whatever you are making. I've gotten into the habit of adding crystals, too, for beautiful, one-of-a-kind items.
I like your point about winding the thread multiple times around the finger. I was finding my tension was too loose and this solved the problem for me.