What Is Irish Crochet Lace?

The General Description: Irish Crochet is a form of lace consisting of botanical motifs made with a hook and lace or sewing thread. Motifs are connected by mesh-like stitches called “grounding” on a background pattern shape. Once motifs and grounding is complete, the pieces can be used for purses, dresses, or short jackets depending on the original design and aim.

Antique Irish crochet collar. Motifs include roses, wheels, shamrocks and buttons. Circa 1900.

Irish Crochet lace combines all of the most difficult techniques of crochet into an art so beautiful and intricate, it cannot be matched by any modern designs and trends. The Priscilla Irish Crochet Book, published in 1912, shares a note to the reader, “The aim of the worker should be to produce the most artistic work she is capable of: therefore if by altering a curve or by adding a leaflet to any sprig she would make a design more pleasing to herself she should not for one moment hesitate to follow her artistic instinct. It is the power to do this that makes Irish Crochet so very fascinating.”

It is, by design, for the crocheters who have many techniques learned and practiced. Mlle. Branchardiere de la Riego (1828-1887) recommends those that do not have the skills necessary to create intuitively, to follow the exact stitch numbers and pattern. Once the artisan knows their own gauge and tension and understands how to create different shapes, Irish Crochet allows for flexibility in carrying out the pattern to the artist’s liking and interpretation.

Similarly, there is no pattern for ground connecting the motifs. All that is taught in Irish Crochet books is the grounding technique of connecting a number of chains and using treble, or double treble in the UK, to create a mesh. The creation of a grounding all rests on the artist’s confidence and experience, and the writers do recommend a lot of practice. There are graphs in T. de Dillmont’s teaching materials which illustrate the different types of grounding, but recommends starting with the simplest of plain chain stitches. For those that wish to try Clones Lace (originally a variation of Irish Crochet Lace) there are other books and tutorials detailing the Clones Knot, which is the key part of Clones Lace grounding.

When done with excellence, Irish Crochet Lace can be so uniquely crafted the motifs can be almost lifelike in appearance. Those motifs show the artisan’s personal understanding of the plant or flower and their skill in accomplishing the vision. The addition or turn of cording or curve of a petal shows the artist’s view can make all the difference in a flat piece, and one that is eye-catching and brings the scene to life.

Modern crocheting communities are continually searching for the new techniques and fads that will show their originality and artistry. Whether granny squares or plush animals, they all fall short in comparison to the excellence of this 200 year old craft. It can be extremely intimidating to start Irish Crochet. The only resources are either from 1875, 1912, or by Russian and Ukrainian youtubers. Please, do not be discouraged. Madame Riego de la Branchardiere would encourage you to try anyway! It may look like a mess of twisted petals, floppy leaves, and cording showing through every stitch, but with practice you can achieve an art so beautiful and unique to you it is worth all the work.