Irish crochet lace facts for kids
Irish crochet lace is a special type of Irish lace. It was first created in Ireland in the mid-1800s. People developed this style to copy the beautiful and expensive Venetian point laces.
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The Story of Irish Crochet Lace
How This Craft Began
By 1845, the Ursuline Convent in Blackrock, County Cork, was teaching Irish crochet lace. In just a few years, almost every convent in Ireland taught this skill. It became an important part of programs to help people during the Great Famine. Learning crochet gave many families a way to earn money. It even helped some people afford to move to other countries for a better life.
Leaders from the Church of Ireland also taught crochet lace. They used it in projects to help people in the north of the country. These projects also took place in Kildare and Cork. By 1851, about 16,000 women were working in crochet.
Unique Styles and Designs
Charity groups worked hard to help the economy. They taught the crochet lace technique for free to anyone who wanted to learn. This type of lace is known for its separate, small designs called motifs. These motifs are later put together to form a background mesh. Other kinds of Irish crochet include Roslea lace and Clones lace.
How is Irish Crochet Lace Made?
Tools and Materials
Traditionally, Irish crochet lace was made with a very thin steel crochet hook. Fine linen thread was also used. Today, people often use a special type of thread called mercerised thread.
Two Main Styles
There are two main ways to make traditional Irish crochet.
- One style, called fine crochet, uses squares or round shapes. These often have designs like shamrocks or roses in the middle.
- The other style is more challenging. It starts with an outline or a drawing on a piece of fabric or thick paper.
Step-by-Step Creation
Each small design, or motif, is crocheted separately. Cotton cord is often used inside the motifs to give them shape and make them stand out. Once finished, these motifs are temporarily sewn onto the outline on the fabric. This is done with loose stitches.
Next, the motifs are joined together. This is done using chains and small loops called picots. When all the motifs are connected to form one piece of lace, the temporary stitches are removed from the back fabric. This reveals the beautiful, completed lace.
Irish Crochet Today: A Modern Comeback
Irish Crochet Lace is very popular again, especially Clones Lace. Modern designers from Ireland and around the world are creating new and exciting pieces. You can find designers from Eastern Europe, Australia, Asia, South America, and North America.
Since 1990, Máire Treanor and a group of volunteers have organized the annual Clones Lace Summer School. This school is held in Clones, County Monaghan. It's a place where designers and students gather to learn and keep traditional patterns alive. They also share new and creative ideas. Irish crochet lace is known as the original "freeform" crochet. This means each piece can have its own unique design.
