Irish Crochet

[RevPennyAnnie]

I have seen alot of Irish crochet I want to learn. I have seen just doilies and bridal wear. I fell in love with a headpiece for the bride. Are there other kinds of projects that I can make with Irish crochet?

 

:*hmenorah

 

:*cwreath

 

 

:*kwanza

[Julie]

I believe you can make bedspreads and tablecloths with Irish crochet. I LOVE the doilies, so intricate and lacy.

[Guest loriscrochet]

You can make pillows and I think even curtains. Both Magic Crochet and Decorative Crochet have featured a ot of Irish crochet patterns. I love Irish crochet and have made many different doilies, etc. My favorite designer for Irish crochet is Yoko Suzuki. She has a few books that are out of print, but can be found on Half.com or Amazon.com as used. I have two of her books that are exclusive Irish crochet. She also is regularly featured in Magic Crochet, and her patterns started to appear in that magazine in the 80s up through the present.

 

My blog features a lot of doilies I've made in Irish crochet. I have a book on what Irish crochet is, and it basically refers to the style of stitches and the designs. I just completed a doily that is true Irish crochet and I'll be posting a picture of it today on my blog, so stop by and check it out. I can recommend some patterns if you'd be interested.

 

~ Lori

<a href="http://www.loriscrochet.homeburrough.org" target="_new">Lori's Crochet</a>

[mc_crochets]

Ohh i wanna learn irish crochet too!!! it is sooo pretty..its girly crochet LOL<img border=0 src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/hyper.gif" />

[Guest loriscrochet]

There's really nothing new to learn about Irish crochet. If you can read patterns in symbol format (which is easy to do) then you can make the patterns from Magic Crochet, etc. All of the stitches of crochet are used, it's how it is put together that I suppose makes it different.

 

Leaves are the easiest thing to make. If you can single crochet and know how to single crochet in the back of the loop, you can make a leaf. It's important to keep count of your stitches as each side has a different count, and in order to come out into the center each time keeping count is essential. Three single crochets are worked at the bottom of the leaf and if you're off, the leaf will come out lop-sided.

 

Roses can vary in stitches and design. Most follow a six petal form and are worked in either joined or unjoined rounds. The tricky part is learning how to work in the back of each petal round. The best way is to fold the petals forward so you can see the stitches from the row below. Often the pattern will call for you to work in the unworked dc or sc of the previous round. A rose is a series of chains anchored to the previous round with either single crochets or double crochets. Then the next round you work in the chain spaces making the petals. Petals are created with a combination of stitches, typically ending with single crochets on each end. Double and treble crochets fill in between the single crochets to create size and height of the petals.

 

The lace work involves a lot of picots, and those vary from 3-chain to 5-chain picots. These are easy to do. It's slip stitching and counting.

 

Many patterns I've come across are done in one color, but I've yet to meet an Irish crochet pattern that couldn't be colorized as the leaves and flowers are made then joined to the doily or mat.

 

I could post some pictures and make a mini tutorial if that would help bring to life what I've written. Just let me know and I could make something up.

[Julie]

That would be lovely, it would be great to at least see some pictures. )

[RevPennyAnnie]

Lori that is awesome stuff you did! I love the pictures

[jingles96]

Wow. Lori, your doilies are AMAZING! You inspire me.

[RevPennyAnnie]

Web site about.com has a crochet newsletter out. I found they have tips on Irish crochet on it! :)h

 

I can't wait to try it. They are so many things that I can make :*csheep

[Kathleen]

Lori-- I looked at your pics and boy are you a talented artist! THose are lovely crochet doilies!

 

I crocheted an Irish Crochet Wedding Gown once.. What a nightmare! I will never crochet an entire project in white thread again, for as long as I live.. so I love the idea of crocheting Irish Crochet in colors!

[monael]

I am very interested in doing irish crochet. I have a question for experienced thread crocheters. I am starting to crochet a doily for the first time. I decided that I can't possibly use the small hooks they are recommending for the doily, so I am using a larger hook and thread size. But what is happening is this: When I try to slip stitch into a chain (such as making a beginning circle, or crocheting into the chain that takes the place of a stitch), I can't get the hook through both the loops. I usually do it through the two top loops (as opposed to the back bump, if that makes sense). So I fudged and just used one of the loops. I have since frogged the thing because I didn't like the way it looked. I am going to start over, but wanted to know what the correct way to do it was before I began again. Thanks!!

[The Shrone]

I'm curious as to why you can't use the smaller hooks. If it is a matter of them not being comfortable, which all of the Boyle and Bates ones are, I'd like to suggest to you to invest in the Clover Soft Touch steel hooks. Lone Star Yarns sells them. They are about $6 a hook, but are so worth it! If it weren't for these hooks, I'd not be able to do thread crochet.

 

What size of thread are you trying to use? If the pattern calls for size 10, going up to a size 5 or 3 might still work, but generally the thread is just too large and bulky to work right.

 

I'm thinking if you can find comfortable hooks (which I am assuming is a problem) then you can work with the right size thread.

 

Even when working with small thread, the first chain I make a little more open than the rest just so that I can slip-stitch into easier. Also, I've started to make a ring without doing the beginning chain---it's a technique where you loop around and begin working the stitches and then pull the loop closed. Donna of Yarn Tomato gives a <a href="http://crochetme.com/Dec_Jan_0405/reads_round.html" target="_new">tutorial</a> on this technique. It works for thread, too!

[monael]

It is because I have never worked with something so small and it is a bit intimidating. I was thinking maybe with practicing this way it would be easier to transition. I will try to make the first chain larger that the rest. That would probably work. I bought some I think Boye steel hooks. I have a 4 and a 0. I don't know the thread size. It is some stuff I bought on clearance. It really isn't the right stuff to be using but it is a little larger than 10. I am just practicing right now. It will be a while before I can do some of the spectacular stuff I am desiring to approach doing. But I found a book at the library on Irish Crochet, and I fell in love with it. So it is my mission to learn it. I didn't realize that hooks could make such a difference. I am going to check into it. Are these hooks in stores or do I need to order them online?