Regional lace tradition · Motif lace
Irish Lace
Raised floral motifs worked separately over padding cord, then joined with a fine net of chains and picots.
- Difficulty
- Expert
- Category
- Lace
- Common fibres
- Crochet Thread, Mercerized Cotton, Linen Thread
Definition
Irish lace is a build-up technique: roses, leaves and shamrocks are crocheted individually in fine thread, arranged on a paper pattern, and linked by an irregular filling mesh.
Overview
It grew out of nineteenth-century Irish cottage industry as an imitation of Venetian needle lace, and remains one of the most labour-intensive things you can do with a hook.
The padding cord under each motif is what gives Irish lace its sculptural relief; without it, the same motifs read flat.
Characteristics
- Motifs made first, joined afterwards
- Padding cord creates raised relief
- Filling net is deliberately irregular
Typical uses
- Bridal collars and bodices
- Heirloom trims
- Framed lace panels
Questions
Is Irish lace crochet or needle lace?
It is crochet, but it was designed to look like Venetian needle lace, which is why the two are often confused.
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