Lesson Eight

Lesson eight in the certified crochet instructors program is about specialty stitch techniques including: Cro-Hook, Broomstick Lace, and Hairpin Lace. The assignment is to create a swatch of each and then plan a lesson to teach one of these techniques including the finished project and written instructions.

This lesson is a bit of a challenge for me because I've never crochet anything using these techniques. I didn't own a broomstick pin, a double ended crochet hook, or the hairpin lace tool.  A trip to Hobby Lobby, and I was in business to learn Cro-Hook and Hairpin Lace.  The Broomstick pin was a problem, Hobby Lobby didn't have any, so my dear husband came to the rescue. A trip to his "shop" solved the problem. He sawed off the end of an old broomstick, and smoothed off the rough edges, and I was in business.

Thank goodness for You Tube.  I found lots of great videos to help me to learn these specialty stitch techniques.

I'm not crazy about Broomstick Lace. I didn't care for it back in the 70's when it was very popular, which is probably the reason I never learned.  I do like the look of Hairpin Lace, and plan to work on this technique more so that I can move beyond the basics.  I also found Cro-Hook fascinating.  My lesson plan and project uses Cro Hook to make a potholder. I also have ideas about using this technique to make a baby blanket, but that's for another day.


The pattern instructions aren't too long so I'm including them in the blog for all of you. I'll also make the pattern available as a free download through Ravelry, but give me a day or two to get that done.

Cro Hook Potholder

Intermediate Skill Level

1 skein Color A

1 skein Color B

H double ended crochet hook

Special Note and Tips: Each row consists of 2 passes, one pass to load loops on hook and one pass to remove loops from hook. The color you use to remove loops from hook is the same color you use to load the loops back onto the hook. Count the loops on the hook frequently making sure you have 25 loops each time the hook is fully loaded. If you want, you can use a regular H hook to make the starting chain, and to complete the single crochet edging.

Chain 25 with color A

Row 1: Insert hook under the horizontal bar of the 2^nd ch from the hook (you are working on the back side of the chain), yo and pull loop through (there are now two loops on hook.) Insert hook under the next horizontal bar, yo and pull a loop through (there are now three loops on hook).  Continue until the end, 25 loops on the hook. Drop color A, move loops to the other end of the hook and turn hook. Make a slip knot with Color B put the slip knot on the end of the hook and pull through 1 loop only, *yo and pull through 2 loops, repeat from * to end (1 loop left on the hook)

Row 2: With Color B. Insert hook under the 2^nd vertical bar, yo and pull up a loop leaving it on the hook.

*Insert hook under the next vertical bar, yo and pull up a loop leaving it on the hook. Repeat from * to the end (25 loops on hook). Drop color B, move work to the other end of hook and turn. With color A, yo and pull through 1 loop, *yo and pull through 2 loops. Repeat from * to end (1 loop on hook)

Rows 3-28  repeat the method described in row 2, using whichever color you used to remove the loops from the hook to reload the loops onto the hook, then move the loops to the end of the hook and turn hook. Use the other color to remove the loops from the hook. Note that each row consists of two passes, one pass to load the hook with 25 loops, and one pass to remove the loops from the hook.

Bind off. With color A insert hook under the 2^nd vertical bar, yo and pull through both loops (1 slip stitch), continue across in this manner to the end, but do not finish off

Edge: sc in each loop around pot holder ending with a slip stitch to beginning sc. chain 10, slip stitch in same sc. Finish off  weave in ends and enjoy.