Hairpin lace is really fun to learn once you have mastered basic crochet. There are many patterns out there, but very few looms are available online. Also, many DIY versions are heavy and awkward or limited in width. I have created my own DIY heirloom lace loom spending LESS THAN $5!!! My version is fairly wide and very versatile and it took me 30 minutes to create!

What you will need:

- 1 pair of knitting needles, on the thinner side (I used size 6)
- 1 pair of XL size flip-flops, the cheap foam kind
- utility knife, marker, ruler, piece of scrap paper, straight pin, scissors

Step 1: Step 1

Remove the thong piece from the flip-flops. They should pull right out of the holes with a little tugging.

If you are having trouble, pull the button part up out of the sole and carefully cut the button end off with your utility knife, repeat for each button.

Step 2: Step 2

With your ruler, paper, and scissors, cut out an 8.5 in x 1 in template.

Place the template on the sandal (as shown) and trace around the template with your marker.

Step 3: Step 3

Carefully, using your utility knife, cut out along the lines you traced. Cut each line, one at a time. Each line will take 3-4 passes with your utility knife in order to make it through the foam.

HINT
Cut the short line by the heel FIRST. This will allow you to have a better grip on the sole, making cutting less dangerous.

Step 4: Step 4

Repeat steps 1-3 with second flip-flop.

Step 5: Step 5

Starting 3/4 in in from the end of your template, make a hash mark every 1 in.

Lay your template lengthwise over half of your foam strip and transfer the marks onto the foam (as shown).

Step 6: Step 6

Using a straight pin, carefully poke through each of the dots that you made in the previous step. Make sure you go all the way through the foam.

Step 7: Step 7

Repeat steps 5 and 6 on your second foam strip.

Step 8: Step 8

Now you can insert your knitting needles through any of the holes and into the corresponding holes on the second strip--keeping one foam strip at the base of the needles and the other foam strip near the tips of the needles.

The needles can be removed and repositioned to be anywhere from 1 in to 7 in apart! Also, the hole placement can be modified to fit your specific pattern!

Step 9: Finally...

Now you are ready to use your Hairpin Lace Loom!

It can be easily collapsed and slipped into a purse, backpack, or tote.

A brand new pair of flip-flops set me back $2.50 at the Drugstore, and the knitting needles (from my stash) originally cost me $2.50, for a total of $5 bucks!

If you get your flip-flops from a Dollar Store, and your knitting needles from a Rummage Sale, you're looking at spending a whopping $2 or LESS!

To learn how to crochet Hairpin Lace, type 'hairpin lace tutorial' into any search engine...Happy Crocheting!!!

(Please do not use this tutorial for commercial production.)