Sunday 20 March 2016

Irish crochet

Irish crochet collar
On Thursday I spent a lovely evening visiting the Huddersfield branch of the Knitting and Crochet Guild for their monthly meeting. This month the topic was Irish crochet, something that I knew very little about. I was looking forward to learning more about it and excited to see some samples of work.

Some of the photos are a little shadowy, I was taking them with my phone camera, standing around a table with several others, casting our shadows all over the place. All the pieces are very delicate and have to be handled wearing cotton gloves so you can't mess about with them too much just to get a perfect photo!


Irish crochet developed in the early 1800s in rural Ireland which, at this time, was poverty stricken. The crochet was done in people's homes and sold as a way to make an income. This was especially true during the Potato Famine. The Ursuline nuns taught women and girls the skills they needed as they recognised that women needed a way to make an income.

These are the tools of the trade, very fine cotton or linen thread and crochet hooks with a hook so tiny that it is very difficult to see.


This is the first piece of work that was shown to us. It is an open coat/gown and we all thought it was very fine, until we saw the next few pieces which showed what really fine work actually looked like!

Irish crochet consists of motifs, like the bunch of grapes which you can see at the bottom centre of the above picture, which are then connected together by a mesh or net to form lace. The motifs may be made by many different people, collated and then joined together to form a garment.

Apparently, families kept close guard of their motif patterns, making sure that any crochet work was out of sight when visitors called!

Irish crochet differs from traditional crochet which is usually formed of rows or rounds.


This is an old and delicate pattern book. The front section explains how to make the motifs and gives some patterns for them. The back consists of patterns which fold out, showing how to put the motifs together to make the collar, cuffs, jabot, trims etc that are desired.


This is a photograph from inside the book of a cuff and collar set.


This is the pattern layout for the set, showing the motifs that is is made up of. The motifs would be stitched to the pattern and the spaces in-between filled with very fine crochet mesh. The finished item is then removed from the paper.


This is it in close up so that the intricate detail is clear.


This is the cuff pattern. You can see that it is simpler but is made of the same motifs as the collar.


This is probably a cuff, not the same as the pattern above. This is such a fine piece of work, look at the tiny bunches of grapes.


I enjoyed looking through this delicate French pattern book as it had lots of amazing motifs in it.


This pretty butterfly.


These lovely cyclamen.


Fabulous tennis rackets with tennis balls. I can see this on a 1920's or '30's tennis dress or cardigan.


Perfect for Spring daffodils.


There was also the pattern for this little chap, he is on a very pretty blouse. 


This piece is made up of floral motifs.


Some more examples.


This is a very fine bag with a drawstring top. You can see a central rose, a rose is a very traditional motif, surrounded by a floral design. Leaves, flowers and shamrocks are other traditional motifs.


This is a child's dress which has both inserts and trims of Irish crochet. The work is so incredibly fine.


The insert features the rose motif. Spot the lizard again!


This is a close up of the trim. When you stop to think of the conditions under which this work was created it becomes even more special and incredible. The makers of this work were poor, hungry, cold, worked in bad light and in unsatisfactory conditions.


Another child's dress with a deep edging of Irish crochet.


The cuffs and hem all end in this gorgeous bobble edging.


Bobbles and roses.


You can see how fine the mesh is between the motifs.


This is another view of the blouse that has the lizard on. It was felt that the lizard was a later addition to the original crochet fabric of the blouse.

I ended the evening being really amazed at the level of work and skill in these garments. In the 1900's   the Irish crochet industry declined as it could not compete with the speed and cost of machine made lace.

You can read more about Irish crochet, see more examples and find instructions to have a go at it yourself herehere and here. I think I would like to have a go and see if I can just make one, very very simple motif!

22 comments:

  1. Thank you for this beautiful post and history lesson. I saw a small number of examples of Irish crochet displayed in various spots when I lived in Ireland, but nothing on this scale (though there may of course be, I just didn't get a chance to see it, if there was/is). I was always struck by that thought, too, regarding the immensely trying, difficult conditions that many of these antique pieces were made under. It's truly admirable.

    I really, really enjoyed this entry, sweet Kate. Many thanks again!

    ♥ Jessica

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    1. How nice for you that you got to see some of the fabulous textile work whilst you were in Ireland. I would love to do that.

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  2. those are just amazingly gorgeous! Ive always loved those intricate lace collars so much effort went into them a real art form

    retro rover

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    1. The collars are just amazing aren't they? I would love to have that skill.

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  3. I love that little lizard!

    I had a go at basic Irish motifs years ago - about 20 years ago - and it was really nice to see the shapes coming together. Can't imagine doing work as fine as the examples you saw, though.

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    1. The lizard is just fab! I like the fact that you have had a go.

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  4. How beautiful! I love all kinds of lace work (to look at - I can't imagine doing it!). Those bluebells or snowdrops or whatever on the front of the book look so adorable, and the lizard is a cute and odd addition!

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    1. I can't really imagine doing it either though I would like to have the skills to do so. I thought that book cover was so beautiful.

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  5. I really love love love Irish crochet. It's so beautiful and feminime. Do you know those early 1900s Irish crochet gowns? They are just amazing.

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    1. Yes I know the gowns you can, they are just beautiful.

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  6. Such beautiful pieces and history! :-)

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  7. What a wonderful post, I knew nothing about the Irish crochet and now I do, thanks! :)

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    1. Thanks Liz, I'm glad that you enjoyed it.

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  8. This was fascinating, thank you for sharing this with us. I'd never heard of Irish Crochet before. It's so, so fine - imagine doing that pre-electricity!

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    1. I just can't imagine it Gillian! Glad you enjoyed it.

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  9. Fascinating and beautiful.

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  10. Goodness what beautiful and intricate work, I have heard of Irish crochet before but I had no idea quite what it involved. I can't imagine how difficult it must have been for women to create such delicate pieces back in a time when light was poor and food was scarce it is a testament to women's determination that is for sure!

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    1. It just must have been so difficult. It is so beautiful.

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