Metropolitan Hairpin Lace Stole (1951): vintage crochet pattern

Materials

• Fine (CYC #2) sport yarn for the hairpin lace: 6 oz (170 g)
• Super fine (CYC #1) baby-type yarn for joining and edging (the original Pompadour): 2 oz (57 g)
• Yardage was not printed — check your yarn labels
• Hairpin lace loom (fork) set to 3 in (7.5 cm)
• Crochet hook (original: plastic hook No. 6 or H)
• Hook: Start with 5 mm (US H-8), as printed, and adjust so the hairpin spine is firm

Abbreviations (US terms)

ch

chain

sc

single crochet

cl

cluster

yo

yarn over

lp

loop

rep

repeat

FO

fasten off

Notes before you start

• Source: "Metropolitan", Stoles and Shawls: Hairpin Lace, Knitted, Crocheted (Star Book No. 86), American Thread Company, 1951. Public domain in the USA.
• As printed — materials: AMERICAN THREAD COMPANY "DAWN" BRAEBURN SPORT YARN; 6 ozs. White or color desired.; and; "DAWN" POMPADOUR; 2 ozs. White.; 3 inch hairpin staple.; Plastic crochet hook No. 6 or H.. Gauge: Not given.
• Modernisation note: Original is written in US crochet terms; kept as US terms (sc = single crochet, dc = double crochet).
• Modernisation note: Spaced period abbreviations (s c, d c, sl st) written as modern sc, dc, sl st; words spelled out where the original was ambiguous.
• Modernisation note: "Cut yarn" / "cut thread" / "break off" written as "fasten off"; "attach" written as "join".
• Modernisation note: The long 5th-section paragraph split into steps at each sentence or joining point; the cluster counts and order are exactly as printed.
• Modernisation note: Counts printed as "3—3 loop clusters", "11—3 loops", "2—20 loop clusters" etc. written in words ("three 3-loop clusters", "eleven 3-loop clusters", "two 20-loop clusters") to avoid misreading.
• Modernisation note: "3rd st of next ch" written as "3rd ch of next ch"; "ch 12" loops written as "ch-12".
• Modernisation note: "Weave in all ends" and "Block gently to shape as illustrated" added as finishing steps (not printed).
• Modernisation note: Check: this is a complex, uncharted construction; the original gives no diagram. Lay sections out as in the cover photograph before joining.
• Modernisation note: No gauge or finished size was printed.
• Modernisation note: Metric conversions added.

Hairpin lace sections

1. With sport yarn and the No. 6 (H) hook, hold the fork in the left hand, loop yarn around the fork and tie a secure knot in the center. Keep the working end of yarn at the rear of the work throughout.
2. Insert hook through loop on left prong, draw rear yarn through loop, making an sc at the knot in the center.
3. *Withdraw hook, turn fork ½ turn to the left, replace hook, then insert through loop at the left side of the fork, pick up rear yarn and pull through loop to complete an sc; rep from * until there are 595 loops on each side. Fasten off.
4. Work a 2nd section with 513 loops. Fasten off.
5. Work a 3rd section with 349 loops. Fasten off.
6. Work a 4th section with 389 loops. Fasten off.
7. Work a 5th section with 1,269 loops. Fasten off.