How to Knit Irish Lace: Patterns for Beginners for Step-by-Step Creation

A special knitting technique was born in the vastness of Ireland - elegant, unique in its kind and unlike all the others. Irish lace is considered the royal style of knitting, a distinctive feature is the separate production of yarn components and their combination into one piece. Those who want to plunge into the magical world of lace-making should learn more about this technique and master several simple techniques for beginners.

What is Irish Knitting

The history of Irish lace cannot be called joyful, as the Irish learned to weave it during the hungry times of the mid-19th century. The potato famine in Ireland occurred in 1845-1849 and took about a million lives. By 1851, the country's population had decreased to 30% and people needed to survive somehow. It was at this time that Irish lace appeared, thanks to which people began to earn money.

A simplified method of knitting, similar to Venetian lace, was invented by Mademoiselle Riego de Blancardier. Thanks to this technique, weaving took less time. For example, the classic method required about 200 hours of work, and with a hook, one day was enough to complete. The main difference of Irish knitting is the weaving of all the details (flowers, leaves, curls) separately. Then all the parts were collected into a single pattern on the net.

What is the difference between Irish lace making techniques?

In the 21st century, modern technology can create almost any lace. Now, materials with lace are not considered a luxury item and wealth, but are a simple mechanical decoration of clothes. Needle, shuttle and bobbin lace can be recreated, but Irish lace (IL) is not yet able to repeat even the best equipment.

The technique of Irish lacemakers is special and can only be done by hand. Volumetric knitting is done with a thin hook. Assembling many individual components with a needle is painstaking work, which is usually done with the help of a mannequin. The lacemaker tries to make a single composition so that it fits perfectly on the figure and the seams are not visible.

Each craftswoman specialized in creating individual motifs. One wove flowers, another patterns, and a third joined the pieces together. Men, old people, and children were also often involved in this type of handicraft, and they were quite good at lace-making.

Methods of connecting related parts

Variations of Irish lace can be used as separate overlays or appliques that are sewn onto fabric. Laces are combined with other types of embroidery, jewelry, laces, and straps. Weaving patterns are created using diagrams and descriptions from handicraft books and magazines. Laces can be joined in different ways.

1. During the work, each pattern is connected to one another. First, you need to knit one motif, then the second, and when the two items are ready, they need to be connected. Continue weaving until all the elements are connected.
2. Lace elements can be basted onto the fabric with the pattern applied. Between the details (leaves, curls, flowers) you need to crochet a net. The net pattern can be any.
3. First, a mesh is made. Then a pattern is applied to it, onto which lace motifs are sewn.
4. The lace elements are basted onto the patterned fabric and then a mesh is made using a needle based on Irish lace.
5. The motifs can be connected using thread stitches. The threads are then trimmed with a Richelieu pattern.
6. Lace details are sewn onto fabric, preferably tulle, if the elements are made of thin thread with a thin hook. When the details are made of thick thread, they can be sewn onto thick cotton fabric.

Irish Lace Assembly Tablet

For those who have just started to master the technique of Irish knitting, a special tablet is an irreplaceable thing, because without its help it is very difficult to assemble the product. To make a tablet, you will need the following materials:

• fiberboard sheet 80x90 centimeters;
• foam rubber to the size of fiberboard;
• non-stretch fabric for upholstery (preferably white);
• needle;
• threads.

Master class on making a tablet:

1. Cut the foam rubber to the size of the fiberboard sheet. The desired width of the foam rubber is 1-2 centimeters.
2. From the upholstery material, you need to sew a cover for covering the tablet. The fabric is cut to the size of the sheet and allowance for the width of the foam rubber is taken into account. Next, sew the bag so that the fiberboard with foam rubber is tightly located in it.

Irish Lace Knitting Patterns for Beginners

To create elegant Irish lace for beginners, you need step-by-step detailed instructions on knitting the parts and fastening them together. It is advisable for beginners to start weaving small items using Kotelnikova's video tutorials - these can be napkins, decorative flowers, collars.

Making a vest using Irish lace technique and beads

This work will take about two months. It is worth noting that the technique of embroidering the vest is complex and it is better to take on it by craftsmen who have experience in this embroidery technique.

Materials:

• hook No. 1;
• Czech beads (any color of your choice);
• 100% cotton;
• vest pattern;
• thread;
• mercerized cotton.

Master class on making a lace vest:

1. Transfer the vest pattern to the dummy. Then you need to knit a caterpillar cord and attach it along the outline of the pattern.
2. Place beads on the working thread and fold the threads 10 times for the bourdon.
3. Knit along the bourdon until the first curl appears. Secure the curl using the single crochet method.
4. To create a leaf, cast on 22 chain stitches.
5. Then you need the thinnest hook and two beads of different diameters.

6. Skip three chain stitches, string one bead and pull out the loop. Slide the beads onto the loop and make a single crochet. Do the same with the other beads.
7. Tie the leaf with a single crochet.
8. The beads that are strung with single crochets need to be knitted by turning them inside out. The thread needs to be pulled out of the previous row and thus advance the bead. The end of the column is made without a crochet.
9. To make a flower, you need to take large beads and knit 5 air loops, connect them into a ring and make a single crochet.
10. Place the finished flowers and leaves on the dummy. Connect the motifs using a mesh. Remove all excess threads from the finished lace, wash and steam.

Flowers from leftover yarn for beginners

The multi-layered interesting flower is an elegant element of lace. The patterns of Irish flowers are similar in style to the weaving of patterns in Japan. Such decorative items can be attached to clothes, accessories or used for interior decoration.

Description of weaving:

1. First, you need to create the top smallest layer of petals - cast on 15 loops in a chain and connect them into a circle with a slip stitch.
2. The ring, consisting of columns with a yarn over, is tied with arches. Each arch should have: a column without a yarn over, a half-column, 3 columns with a yarn over, a half-column and another single crochet.
3. The second layer of the flower begins with the fact that you need to pinch the first double crochet with a hook from the inside.
4. Tie the first loop of the second layer arch. Knit arches consisting of five air loops.
5. Pattern for arches: 1 single crochet, half double crochet, 2 double crochets, 5 double crochets with two crochets, 2 double crochets, half double crochet, 1 single crochet.
6. The third layer of petals is knitted similarly. According to the pattern, you need to make 7 air arches and fill them with double and single crochets.

Knitting a simple top in the style of Irish lace, master class

Such a product will always look bright and original, and you can wear it in summer and winter. For knitting you will need:

• cotton yarn in different shades (3-4 colors);
• hook No. 1.5.

Knitting master class:

1. Make a pattern from fabric according to your individual size.
2. Knit the required number of parts according to the patterns: flowers, leaves, twigs.
3. Place large elements on top of the pattern and secure them with pins. Distribute small details into empty spaces.
4. Sew the elements on the back and front of the top with mesh. The finished product can be washed and steamed with an iron.

Master class: Swimsuit, crocheted using Irish lace technique

The fashion for knitted swimsuits is back again, and to look stylish and feminine on the beach, you can knit yourself this wardrobe item.

To weave a swimsuit model you will need the following items:

• sewing needle;
• hook No. 1.5;
• polymer rings with a diameter of 2 centimeters;
• rhinestones;
• 100 grams of burgundy cotton yarn;
• 25 grams of white, pink, yellow and light green yarn.
• threads in the color of the yarn.

A detailed guide to weaving a stylish swimsuit:

1. The first thing you need to do is make a swimsuit pattern based on your individual figure parameters. On the swimming trunks pattern, make a sketch of where the decoration will be made. Knit a sample with one yarn over.
2. Now you need to make a decoration for the bust. You need to knit different elements of Irish lace.
3. Distribute the motifs according to the patterns, fasten them with a thread of a certain color. Sew the swimsuit along the contour with a caterpillar stitch.
4. Sew a rhinestone into the center of each flower.
5. Tie the rings with single crochet stitches 6 times. Sew them to the sides of the panties and to the middle of the bust.
6. Pull the caterpillar cord through the rings of the bodice and swimming trunks and tie bows.

Irish Lace Collar for Beginners

Even a child can master a lesson on creating an elegant and flirty collar in Irish style. In addition to leaves and flowers, you can use tulle.

Making a collar step by step:

1. Tie the cut out petals with single crochet stitches. Sew them to the previously crocheted center of the flower.
2. The middle is knitted by overcasting the thread on the finger in five turns. Then this ring is tied with a single crochet, then with two rows of picot.
3. The fabric pattern can be pinned to a mannequin or to a board for assembling Irish lace pieces.
4. Place rings along the neckline, which need to be knitted with a single crochet.
5. Then lay out the flowers on the pattern and fill the empty spaces with an irregular mesh.

After such a lesson, you will get a beautiful product that can ennoble a sweater, dress or blouse.

Anyone can learn the technique of knitting Irish lace, the main thing is to carefully follow the patterns and use your imagination. Once you start, everything will definitely work out - after all, the best knitters also once picked up a hook for the first time.