antique irish crochet lace

How is Irish Lace made?

May 11, 2021 by Forgotten Cotton

Many people may be familiar with the names of the Laces of Ireland but wonder how they differ. Traditional Irish Lace can be grouped into three main types of lace making; crochet lace, needlepoint lace and mixed lace.

Irish Crochet Lace

Irish Crochet Lace Cuff c.1913

Traditional Irish crochet lace makers used a very fine thread and a very fine crochet hook. First, a pattern was drawn for the item to be made. An Irish crochet pattern could contain many different flower motifs such as rose motifs or sunflower motifs, which would be combined with a variety of leaf motifs. Individual motifs were pinned to the paper pattern and then joined up with ground stitches. A few different kinds of ground stitches were used, depending on the complexity required by the pattern. [Read more…]

Irish Crochet Lace, its’ motifs, designs and patterns

April 5, 2021 by Forgotten Cotton

Irish Crochet Lace motif — Irish Crochet Rose Square Motif c.1913

Irish Crochet Lace Patterns

Irish Crochet lace differed from the continental forms in the way it was designed. Crochet is based around the concept of the simple chain stitch but Irish Crochet lace makers developed their own variations of this stitch, designing intricate lace motifs such as the Irish Crochet Rose Square motif in the photograph. Patterns were then designed on paper for the layout of these crochet motifs. The completed crochet motifs were then pinned into place and joined with a variety of filling stiches. Sometimes smaller motifs were joined together in strips to make lace trim which was then sold by the yard. Irish lace was normally white or cream in colour. [Read more…]

Irish Handmade Lace

March 22, 2021 by Forgotten Cotton

Irish handmade crochet lace collar — **Irish Handmade Crochet Lace Collar circa 1913**

The County Cork Industrial Association was a co-operative of lace makers based in the south of Ireland at the end of the 19th Century and beginning of the 20th century. It was part of the Irish Industries Association, an organisation founded by the Countess of Aberdeen, Ishbel Hamilton Gordon, in May 1886 as a co-operative movement. Lady Aberdeen was the Vicereine of Ireland from 1886 to 1887 and 1906 to 1915. As it’s patroness, she was one of the driving forces behind the success of this organisation. [Read more…]