Master the Art of Irish Crochet Lace: Lesson 1

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. What is Irish Crochet Lace?
3. Materials Needed
4. Getting Started 4.1. Cutting the Cord 4.2. Attaching the Working Cotton
5. Making the Double Crochets
6. Forming the Ring
7. Creating the Petals 7.1. First Petal 7.2. Second Petal 7.3. Third Petal
8. Fastening Off and Finishing
9. Tips and Tricks
10. Conclusion

Irish Crochet Lace Tutorial: Making a Simple Shamrock Motif

Irish crochet lace is a beautiful and intricate craft that involves creating delicate lace motifs using a combination of stitches and techniques. In this tutorial, we will learn how to make a simple Irish crochet shamrock motif using double crochets and a padding cord. This motif is perfect for beginners who are new to Irish crochet lace and want to practice their skills.

What is Irish Crochet Lace?

Irish crochet lace is a type of lace-making technique that originated in Ireland in the 19th century. It is characterized by its intricate designs, delicate motifs, and the use of a padding cord to create raised and dimensional stitches. Irish crochet lace is typically made using a fine crochet cotton and a small crochet hook, resulting in delicate and beautiful lace designs.

Materials Needed

Before we get started, let's gather all the materials we will need for this tutorial. You will need the following:

1. Crochet cotton (size 10)
2. Crochet hook (1.5mm)
3. Padding cord (size 10)
4. Sewing needle
5. Scissors

Getting Started

To begin, we need to cut our padding cord to the desired length. The cord should be approximately four crochet hooks long, providing enough length for our motif. Once the cord is cut, we can attach the working cotton to our crochet hook using a slip stitch.

Making the Double Crochets

With the working cotton attached, we can start making our double crochets over the cord. Instead of creating a chain, as we would traditionally do in crochet, we will work directly over the cord. Insert your crochet hook under the cord, grab the thread on the other side, and pull it under. Yarn over the hook and pull it through both loops on your hook. This creates a double crochet over the cord. Repeat this process until you have a total of 18 double crochets.

Forming the Ring

Once we have our 18 double crochets, we can turn them into a ring. To do this, we will work a double crochet into the very first double crochet that we made. Insert your hook into the double crochet and under the cord, then make a double crochet in that stitch. Repeat this process for the next double crochet. To close the ring, pull the cord tightly, tightening up the ring in the center.

Creating the Petals

Now it's time to create the petals of our Irish crochet shamrock. We will be making three petals in total. Each petal consists of a series of double crochets and a picot stitch.

First Petal

To create the first petal, work 11 double crochets up one side of the ring. Once you reach the top of the petal, make a 3-chain picot by chaining three and then making a slip stitch back into the top of the last double crochet. Continue to work 10 double crochets down the other side of the petal. To connect the petal to the main ring, make a double crochet into the fifth double crochet on the main ring. Finally, pull the cord to tighten up the petal and make it the desired shape.

Second Petal

For the second petal, repeat the same steps as the first petal. Work 11 double crochets up one side of the ring, make a 3-chain picot, and work 10 double crochets down the other side. Connect the petal to the main ring by making a double crochet into the fifth double crochet. Pull the cord to tighten the petal.

Third Petal

The third petal follows the same pattern as the first two. Work 11 double crochets up one side of the ring, make a 3-chain picot, and work 10 double crochets down the other side. Connect the petal to the main ring by making a double crochet into the fifth double crochet. Pull the cord to tighten the petal.

Fastening Off and Finishing

Once all three petals are complete, we can fasten off and finish our shamrock motif. Cut the working cotton and thread it through a needle. Weave the ends of the cotton through the middle of the motif, securing it in place. Cut the cord and adjust the shape of the petals as desired. Your Irish crochet shamrock motif is now complete!

Tips and Tricks

• Practice makes perfect: Irish crochet lace can be challenging at first, but with practice, you will improve your skills and create beautiful lace motifs.
• Experiment with different thread sizes: Changing the size of your crochet cotton will result in different sizes of motifs. Try using different sizes to create variations in your designs.
• Have patience: Crocheting with fine thread and small hooks can be time-consuming, but the end result is worth it. Take your time and enjoy the process.

Conclusion

Irish crochet lace is a timeless and elegant craft that allows you to create intricate and beautiful lace motifs. With this tutorial, you have learned how to make a simple Irish crochet shamrock motif using double crochets and a padding cord. Keep practicing and exploring different designs to enhance your skills in Irish crochet lace.