Crochet or Knit Lace? Answers…and Blocking!
Do you marvel at the look of crochet or knit lace? Or does it send you into a tailspin of stress with thoughts of…
Can I really do that? Is it hard to crochet or knit lace? Does it take more or less yarn? Is it stretchy? Do I have to block it?
Well, let’s answer a few of these questions for you to put your mind at rest. Then, you might just find yourself wanting to try knitting or crocheting lace.
But, first of all, I’m going to take the bull by the horns and dive right into blocking!
The Magic of Blocking
Do you REALLY HAVE TO block lace?
If you want it to look fabulous, the answer is a humongous YES!!!
Yes – it’s all in the blocking where the magic happens.
Straight off the hook or needles, your crochet or knit lace may look like a pile of scrunch. It looks nothing like you expect since the yarn is acting like it’s still in the skein or ball. It’s pulling the stitches together, and the holes must be opened to show off your beautiful work. This is where blocking comes in.
You can find out all about blocking in this YouTube video.
Holes matter! You’ve placed the holes where you want them and have a gorgeous stitch pattern to show off your amazing work. You MUST BLOCK your work to show off your work and open up your project to the correct size.
Blocking Tools for Crochet and Knitting
A job is always easier with the right tools. When it comes to blocking lace, this is definitely true.
You’re going to need:
Blocking mat(s) – so you don’t need to use your bed
Blocking wires – so you can get straight edges, points, or curves and don’t need so many pins
Pins for Blocking – to hold the wires in place while your project dries to size and shape
Use the links above to purchase your blocking tools.
Seriously – blocking makes crochet or knit lace come alive. Once you open up those strategically placed holes – POW! Everything falls into place!
So, What is Lace?
Well, basically, it’s a fabric made of strategically placed holes that form pretty patterns. Lace fabric is usually made with a needle and thread or bobbins wound with thread woven together. It’s quite complex and completely different from knitting and crocheting.
Do You Knit or Crochet Lace?
That’s an easy one. You can do either one, depending on the tools and techniques you prefer.
Here’s a few points to consider.
Knit lace involves decreasing and increasing, usually within the same row, to make single stitch holes in specific places. Knit lace tends to flow visually, and the holes tend to progress gradually across the fabric. Lace knitting usually uses small round holes.
Crochet lace is normally made using longer stitches and therefore forms larger holes. Stitch placement in crochet can also create differently shaped holes, which can make crocheted lace look very different from knit lace.
Does Lace Knitting Use Less Yarn?
Yes! Lace knitting (or crochet) uses less yarn. If you think about it, you’re creating holes instead of stitches, so the more holes you make, the less yarn you use.
Is Knitted Lace Stretchy?
Another YES! Both knit and crochet lace are very stretchy. The more holy the lace, the more stretchy the fabric.
What Yarn to Crochet or Knit Lace?
When you think of lace fabric, you automatically think of ‘tiny thread,’ but the reality of knit and crochet lace is that you can pretty much use any weight of yarn you like. It all depends on what you want from your finished product.
If you want an oversized sweater as a statement piece that’s quick to produce – use bulky yarn. Yes, I said bulky!
But, if you want a lightweight drapey shawl that takes some time to complete as an heirloom project, then, by all means, choose lace weight. We often use larger needles with lace-weight yarn to make a more open, airy, drapey fabric.
As always – SWATCH to make sure you get the fabric and qualities you want from your work.
But it’s not just swatching that matters when it comes to crochet and knit lace.
Looking for some more ideas?
Check out the links below for more yarny lace fun…
Try some Crochet Placemat Patterns for practicing lace.
Eyelets are one of the simplest lace patterns.
This is a really cute knit shawl pattern.
