Oval Hairpin Lace Place Mat Pattern

J. & P. COATS "KNIT-CRO-SHEEN," Art. A.64: 2 balls of No. 51 Spice.
Milwards Steel Crochet Hook No. 3.
2 spools of gold metallic thread.
A hairpin lace staple, 1 inch wide.

Doily measures 13 x 18 inches.

FIRST STRIP … With a strand each of Spice and gold, make a strip of Basic Hairpin Lace, see patternbook page, having 30 loops on each side of staple. Keeping the twist in all loops, attach a strand of Spice to first loop, (ch 2, sl st in next loop) twice; ch 2, make a sl st through next 12 loops, (ch 2, sl st in next loop) 3 times; ch 2, sl st through next 12 loops, ch 2. Join to first st. Break off. Sew center of lace strip neatly together. Sew chains at center of piece together.

SECOND STRIP … With Spice only, make a strip of hairpin lace with 60 loops on each side. Join Second Strip to First Strip as follows: Still keeping the twist in all loops, attach Spice to any loop on First Strip, ch 1, sl st through first 2 loops on Second Strip (an inc), * ch 1, sl st in next loop on First Strip, ch 1, sl st through next 2 loops on Second Strip (another inc). Repeat from * around. Join to first st. Break off. Sew center of lace strip together.

THIRD STRIP … With a strand each of Spice and gold, make a strip of hairpin lace with 84 loops on each side. Join Third Strip to Second Strip as before, increasing 12 loops around each rounded end. Make 3 more strips, having 24 more loops on each side of each strip and working alternately with Spice only and then with Spice and gold together. Join strips as before increasing 12 loops evenly around rounded ends. Block to measurements.