The Art of Irish Crochet
To learn how to Irish crochet for beginners, first get used to the idea of freestyle as a crochet form. Since Irish crochet is a freestyle form of crochet from the 19th century, it can be hard to understand the vintage books trying to explain these techniques. The patterns are vague at best. Luckily there are people who have deciphered the old patterns and are re-introducing the old motifs of Irish crochet. Irish crochet consists of making motifs that later are crochet together through creating a lace netting. The motifs are esembled as the crochet artists pleases. As the picture below show; Irish crochet is truly amazing.
Modern Irish Crochet
When you give Irish crochet a go you are entering into the past. You are learning an old craft, and you will be bringing it into the modern world. The materials used for Irish Crochet are fine yarn and small sized hooks. You can, of course, use thicker yarn and larger hooks to give it your own spin. Usually, though Irish crochet uses size 10 (lace or 2 ply) crochet cotton an size 7/1.65 mm steel crochet hook.
In this pattern, I am using a traditional Irish Crochet Pattern, with chunky yarn and bigger hooks.
Irish Crochet stitch conversion
Old Irish patterns use the UK stitch abbreviation. Please see chart below to translate your pattern.
Old Term (UK) Modern Term (US)
Single stitch Slip stitch (sl st or ss)
Plain, (double crochet) Single crochet (sc)
Treble Double crochet (dc)
Long treble crochet Triple crochet (trc or tc)
Common Irish Crochet Stitches
The bullion stitch
The Clone stitch
Crochet cord
Reverse single crochet
The Art of Irish Crochet
In Irish Crochet the patterns are not worked in consecutive rows, their executions more resemble that of needle-made lace. You crochet all the motifs that form the full pattern and then laced together. The motifs are often worked over a cord foundation, which can be straight or curved.
How to crochet over a single cord foundation
Crochet over a single cord foundation gives substance to the motifs. Some patterns say to crochet over a double or triple cord foundation.
How to crochet a second row of double crochet (plain) stitches over a cord foundation folded back.
How to crochet a closed tendril
To make a closed tendril you join the loop of thread creating a little eyelet. Coming back over the stitches below you crochet a 2nd row of double crochet. Another way of crochet tendrils is to crochet 3 plains (dc) in each stitch.
How to make a detached ring.
Detached rings are usually made over a triple cord foundation. Twist the cord foundation several times round a mesh, and cover the ring entirely with plain stitches.
How to make drooping eyelets
How to make eyelets turned upwards
Make a number of double crochet over the cord foundation and then draw it up tight into a curve. Secure it with a dc in one of the dc beneath.