Irish Crochet lace is one of the most durable of laces and is suitable to be worn for all occasions. It especially recommends itself for pick-up or porch work. It looks well and does not take an endless while to make, as almost every motif is made separately thus giving a variety. And although one may not have more than a few minutes to devote each day to the work, it is surprising how many articles can be completed with little effort and little time.

The materials necessary are a steel crochet hook, considerably finer than for ordinary crochet work, as the work must be very firm, even and close. Irish Crochet Thread, numbers 36 to 50 or D. M. C. cotton numbers 70 to 100 inclusive and number 10 for the padding cotton will be needed. All laces look better if pressed before making up, this is especially true of Irish Crochet. And when slightly soiled it can be washed in soap suds, made from any good laundry soap; rinse thoroughly in several waters, starch slightly and iron on the wrong side on a heavy blanket. These simple directions help to make the lace look like new. In Irish Crochet the motifs are made separately mostly worked over a padding cotton.

Then these motifs are basted on a pattern of cambric, or paper muslin which has been cut to the desired shape. A row of chainstitching is worked and basted to the edge of the pattern, then the filling in background is worked, joining the different motifs together with rows of chainstitching and picots or any other background stitch desired.

Doily with Irish Crochet Edge (Figure 249).

This can also be used for a bread plate.

1st row—around a 24 inch circle of linen work a row of single crochet.

2nd row—5 chain, miss 3 single crochet and fasten with a single crochet in the 4th stitch; continue around mat.

3rd row—Into each group of chains work 3 single crochet, 1 picot, 3 single crochet.

4th row—6 ch fasten in the picot loop.

5th row—3 single crochet, picot, 3 single crochet, 1 picot, 3 single crochet, 1 picot; continue all around. This completes the mat.

Belt of Irish Crochet (Figure 250).

This belt is very useful, especially as it is mounted upon a foundation, which is the ordinary cotton waist belting, one inch wide sold at all notion counters for a few cents. The crochet belt is basted upon this belting after being stretched and starched.

To make the belt:

1st row—Chain 26, turn.

2nd row—1 double crochet in 6th stitch of chain, chain 2, miss 2 stitches and work 1 double crochet in 9th stitch of chain, chain 2, miss 2, chain and work 1 double crochet in 12th stitch of chain, chain 5, skip 5, chain, 1 double crochet into 17th stitch of chain, chain 2, 1 double in 20th stitch of chain, chain 2, miss 2 chain, 1 double crochet into 23rd stitch of chain, chain 2, miss 2 and work 1 double crochet in 26th stitch.

3rd row—Chain 5, 1 double crochet in top of double crochet of preceding row, chain 2, 1 double crochet in top of double crochet, chain 2, 1 double crochet in top of double crochet, chain 2, 1 double crochet in top of double crochet, 5 double crochet over chain of 5, 1 double crochet in top of double crochet, 2 chain, 1 double crochet in top of double crochet, 2 chain, 1 double crochet in top of double crochet, chain 2, 1 double crochet in 2nd stitch of chain of 5 at the end; turn and repeat from 2nd row for length required. For the edge, work on both sides of the belt into every chain loop 3 single crochet, 1 picot 3 single crochet.

Rose Tie with lawn facing (Figure 251).

This bow has an under facing of lawn with a simple crochet edging of double crochet and chain stitch with picots, worked at even intervals. For the crochet tie:

1st row—Work rose the same way as the one in the wheel tie. Now crochet around the rose in this manner * chain 3, 1 single crochet caught in the 1st double crochet of the rose petal, 5 chain, 1 double crochet in 5th stitch of petal, chain 5, 1 double in 8th stitch of petal, 5 chain; repeat from * five times more.

2nd row—5 chain, 1 single crochet in each previous group of 5 chain, continue around entire rose.

3rd row—6 chain 1 single crochet in each preceding loop of chain.

4th row—* 6 chain, 9 double crochet in first space, 6 chain, 1 single crochet for next 4 spaces, 6 chain, then 9 double crochet in 5th space; repeat from * twice more.

5th row—* 6 chain, 1 single crochet in 1st double crochet of group, 6 chain, 1 single crochet in 5th double, 6 chain, 1 single crochet in 9th double; repeat from * all around.

For the next two rows work 6 chain, 1 single crochet in each previous group of chain. Finish the edge with a row of chain and picot.

Work two sections like the one described and fasten together in the centre. Sew this upon the lawn facing and the tie is complete.

If the tie shows any tendency to cap in the course of construction add an extra chain in the group of chain stitches every now and then.

Wheel Tie with Rose and Straps with Shamrock (Figure 252.)

Wind padding cotton 6 times around the crochet needle. Over this ring work:

1st row—50 double crochet.

2nd row—Chain 5, miss 2 double crochet, * in the third stitch, work 1 double crochet, 2 chain, miss 2 double crochet repeat from * 24 times. Work a spider in the centre of the ring, with a needle and thread.

Make 8 of these wheels for the tie. Join together with filling stitch (3 chain and a single crochet). After working 3 chains and a single crochet around the edge of the tie, work 1 single crochet in first space, 3 chain, 1 single crochet in second space, 3 chain * 1 double crochet, 7 chain in third space (catch back into second chain from needle to form a picot chain) repeat from * 4 times more, chain 3, 1 single crochet in next space, chain 3, 1 single crochet in second space. Continue in this manner all around tie.

For rose in centre of tie.

1st row—Chain 6, join in a ring.

2nd row—Chain 6 * 1 double crochet into ring, 4 ch 1 double crochet, 4 chain repeat from * twice more and join.

3rd row—Over first 4 chain work * 1 single crochet, 5 double crochet, 1 single crochet; repeat from * 5 times.

4th row—Work a row of 7 chain loops fastening at back of first row of single crochet (this is what helps to form the rose petals and makes them stand one above the other).

5th row—Over these loops work * 1 single crochet, 7 double crochet, 1 single crochet, repeat from * all around.

6th row—A row of 9 chain loops.

7th row—Into these loops work 1 single crochet, 9 double crochet, 1 single crochet; this completes the rose.

Let me mention here that roses can be substituted for the shamrocks worn on the ends of the straps.

For straps.

Work 27 single crochet over a padding cord, join in a ring. Work 9 single crochet over padding cord, 1 chain, 9 single crochet, 1 single crochet, over padding cord into the chain stitch. Continue working 9 single crochet, 1 chain, 9 single crochet over padding cotton and fastening each time in the chain stitch with a single crochet. One strap is 6 inches long and the other is 7 inches long.

For the edge of straps work 2 chain, 1 double crochet, in first single crochet of previous row, 2 chain, 1 double crochet in 3rd stitch, 7 chain count back 5 chains and slip stitch (to form a picot) 1 double crochet in 5th stitch, 2 chain, 1 double crochet in 7th stitch, 2 chain, 1 double crochet in 9th stitch. Continue on both sides of straps.

For the shamrocks.

Wind padding cotton over the end of crochet hook 6 times. Over this ring work 30 single crochet. * Over 3 strands of padding cotton work 11 single crochet. Twist padding cotton in a downward loop and work 1 single crochet over crossing of padding cotton, continue 15 single crochet over the loop, draw padding cotton to pull loop up close and then work 11 single crochet over padding cotton alone. Miss 2 single crochet on ring and work 2 single crochet over padding cotton into next 2 stitches of ring.

Turn, leave padding cotton, 12 chain, 1 single crochet into top of crossing loop, 12 chain, 1 single crochet into ring just before beginning of arch. Turn, over 12 chain work 4 single crochet, 1 double crochet, 1 treble crochet. Work 1 treble crochet into single crochet over crossing of loop. Continue over next 12 chain, 14 treble, 1 double and 4 single crochet. Work 4 single crochet over padding cotton into next 4 single crochet on ring, repeat from * twice more leaving out the 4 single crochet over padding cotton into the ring the last time. Turn, work a row of single crochet over padding cotton. Between petals take the needle out, insert in stitch half way between the petals, and pull loop through, this will give a better shape to the petals. Then continue with single crochet.

For stem work 3 single crochet over padding cotton into ring. Then 40 single crochet over padding cotton alone, turn and work 40 single crochet over padding cotton into the previous row of single crochet to the ring. To shape the stem to the right pull the padding cotton before working the second row of single crochet.

Long Jabot (Figure 253).

Over a padding cotton work 50 single crochet, turn, and work down other side, 41 single crochet over padding cotton into previous row of single crochet (leaving one-half of stem still to be worked).

1st arm—Now twist the padding cotton under the stem, fasten with a slip stitch, over the loose padding cotton work 18 double crochet, turn and work over padding cotton into each double crochet, 18 trebles, fasten with a single crochet in the 5th single crochet of centre stem.

2nd arm—Turn work over padding cotton, 10 double crochet into double crochet of previous row. Now work 8 double crochet over padding cotton alone, turn and work 18 treble crochet over padding cotton into the double crochet of previous row. Fasten in 10th stitch, this completes the second arm.

Now work 8 arms more in the same way, then finish the stem with 9 single crochet over padding cotton into the other single crochet of stem.

For the centre work over 2 strand padding cotton 6 double crochet and fasten into the single crochet which connects the arms to the stem, continue all around centre and fasten off.

Work 36 chain, into these work 36 double crochet with 6 double on each end. Continue working until there are 4 rows of doubles. Connect the leaf to this with slip stitch, baste on paper and work 3 rows of the filling stitch all around.

1st row—For the edge, work 6 chain loops into every loop of previous row.

2nd row—Over 6 chain loops work 7 single crochet.

3rd row—6 chain loops caught into every 4th single crochet.

4th row—Into 6 chain loops work 4 single crochet, picot, 4 single crochet, then into 2nd or next loop work 4 single crochet, picot, 4 single crochet, into 3 loop work 4 single crochet. 5 chain turn and fasten in the 4th double crochet over 2nd loop, turn and over chain work 4 double crochet, picot, 4 double crochet, then into the 3rd loop finish with the other 4 single crochet; repeat from * all around jabot.

Baby Irish Lace, with Rose Leaf and Grapes (Figure 254).

For roses.

Chain 12. Into chain work * 1 double crochet, 3 chain repeat from * for 6 times more. Into each group of 3 chain work 1 single crochet, 6 double crochet, 1 single crochet making seven petals to a rose.

For the leaves.

Chain 8, join in a ring. Over this ring work 32 single crochet without breaking the thread, chain 8 and form another to the right and a little above the other ring, work 32 single crochet into this one also, again chain 8 and form a ring to the left of the first ring, fill this ring with 32 single crochet.

For grapes.

Chain 3, join. Fill chain with single crochet, continue working around, widening as needed for 3 rows. Decrease by missing a stitch occasionally to shape grapes. Just before finishing stuff with cotton, make 3 grapes for each cluster and fasten into centre of leaf. Baste all motifs on muslin and fill with background stitch. For edge of scallop work groups of 6 chain caught down with a single crochet then * 4 single crochet into first space, 2 single crochet into next space, 6 chain, turn, fasten into single crochet, turn, 3 single crochet over chain, picot, 5 single crochet, 2 single crochet into same space, 4 single crochet into next space, 6 chain, turn, and catch down beside first loop, turn, 4 single crochet over chain, 6 chain turn, catch down in centre of first loop, turn, 4 single crochet, picot, 4 single crochet, into chain, 1 single crochet into next loop, picot, 3 single crochet, 4 single crochet into next space and repeat from * all around edge of lace.

Dutch Collar (Figure 255).

Begin the rose with a small thick ring made by winding the padding cotton ten times around the end of the crochet needle. Cover this ring with single crochet, cutting off the end of the padding cotton when the ring is three quarters covered. *Chain 6, catch down into the ring; repeat from * 5 more times, dividing the spaces as evenly as possible so the last chain is caught down beside the first one.

Over the chain loop work * 1 single crochet 7 double crochet, 1 single crochet, repeat from * all around.

*Chain 7, catch down at back in the same stitch as that in which the chain loops of the preceding row was caught, repeat from * all around.

Over chain loop * 1 single crochet, 9 double crochet, 1 double crochet. Repeat from * all around.

*Chain 8 catch down in back same place as before. Repeat from * all around.

*Over chain loops work repeat from * 1 single crochet, 11 doubles, 1 single crochet, this finishes the rose centre.

*Now begin the first row around the rose * 7 chain 3 picot, (catch back into third stitch) chain 7, picot, 3 chains, catch down in first petal in outer row, repeat from * 12 times more, spacing these picot loops evenly all around, catching the last one into the centre of the first.

*Next work one picot loop catching in into centre of loop of row below, then a loop of 6 chains, repeat from * caught into centre of next picot loop.

Turn and over this loop work 9 single crochet, turn, work 9 double crochet over the single crochet 3 chain, catch down into same stitch as the 6 chain loop was caught. Work 2 rows of picot loops, then repeat from * all around finishing the row in the corner of the first 9 double crochet ornament.

9th row—Work a row of plain picot loops.

10th row—Work a row of plain picot loops.

11th row—Another row of plain picot loops.

Five roses are required for the collar.

For the wheels.

Over a padding cotton ring, work single crochet. Over a single strand of the padding cotton crochet into every single crochet, a single crochet, work 4 rows the same way only add a picot in every 4th single crochet in the last row. Now begin the first row around the wheel * chain 7, catch into the last single crochet of the wheel, chain 7, picot, chain 7, chain 3, skip 2 stitches of the wheel and catch down into the 3rd with a single crochet, repeat from * all around.

Next work 1 picot loop, catching it into the centre of loop in row below, then a * loop of 6 chain caught into centre of next picot loop. Turn, and over this loop work 9 single crochet, turn and work 9 double crochet over the single crochet, 3 chain stitch down into same stitch as the 6 chain loop was caught. Work 2 more picot loops, then repeat from * all around finishing the row in the centre of the first ornament.

Work a row of plain picot loop. Another row of plain picot loops. Make four wheels for the collar.

Sew the roses and wheels firmly on the cambric pattern (the size and style having been cut out of the cambric).

Placing them so as to leave room for a single row of picot loops to be worked between to join them, crochet a chain of chain stitches and baste them upon the edge of the cambric pattern. Fill the work out to the desired shape with the picot loops, which should contain the same number of chain stitches as the loops in the roses and wheels, 3 chain, 1 double crochet, 3 chain, work a row all around collar, then begin the border or edge. Work around the inner edge and fronts of collar 4 single crochet into each loop, then around the lower edge * 4 single crochet in the first space, 4 single crochet in the second space, 2 single crochet in the third space; chain 6 down at the beginning of second space. Over the loops thus formed make 3 single crochet, picot, 7 single crochet, 2 single crochet into same (third) space, 4 single crochet into next space. Turn, 6 chain catch down into next to the last loop, turn, 5 single crochet over the loop, chain 6, turn, and catch down into centre of first loop. Turn, 5 single crochet, picot, 5 single crochet over this last loop, 2 single crochet into the next loop, picot, 3 single crochet, repeat from * all around edge. Take the collar up from the cambric and press upon the wrong side over a blanket or heavy flannel.